Bhatt, V., Vendrell, N., Nau, K., Crumb, D., & Roy, V. (2010). Implementation of a standardized protocol for prevention and management of oral mucositis in patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation. Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, 16(3), 195–204.
To develop a mucositis oral care protocol and evaluate the impact of its implementation in the prevention and management of mucositis in the patient with hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT)
A standard protocol was developed. After development, the physician and nursing staff were educated about the protocol and effects of medications included in the protocol. Following education for three months, every patient admitted to the HCT service was managed according to the protocol. Retrospective review of the electronic medical record of mucositis management was done in cases during the three months prior to protocol use. The new protocol was included in the electronic order set used for HCT admissions.
The protocol included daily evaluation, brushing twice daily, ice chips 30 minutes prior to and throughout melphalan infusion, chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash 15 ml 4 times daily, normal saline mouthwash 30 ml four times daily, calcium phosphate rinse 30 ml four times daily, magic mouthwash 15 ml four times daily as needed for oral pain, and phenol losenges every two hours as needed for oral pain. Palifermin was used at the physician’s discretion.
This was a single-site study conducted in an inpatient transplant unit at the Mayo Clinic in Florida.
The study used an exploratory descriptive design with historical controls.
This study does not significantly add to our understanding for the management of mucositis but suggests that use of a standardized protocol increases attention to mucositis management. This study also raises questions about the use of the criteria as receiving TPN as a measure of mucositis grade, as use of TPN may not only be a result of mucositis. This area of limitation also may indicate issues of reliability in the documentation of mucositis grade, as data here were solely obtained from the electronic medical record.
Bhattacharya, S., Vijayasekar, C., Worlding, J., & Mathew, G. (2009). Octreotide in chemotherapy induced diarrhoea in colorectal cancer: A review article. Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica, 72(3), 289–295.
To assess the role of octreotide in the management of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) in patients with colorectal cancer
Databases searched were Pubmed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Database (1984–2009).
Search keywords were ocreotide in chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, octerotide CID, colorectal cancer CID, and octreotide.
Studies were included in the review if they
Studies were excluded if they
The authors did not describe the literature review and evaluation process. The article did incorporate information on relevant clinical guidelines.
The authors reviewed two randomized trials; four nonrandomized, controlled studies; and two case series, involving a total of 169 patients.
Octreotide has been shown to be effective and safe for short-term treatment of severe CID.
Few studies have been done with the long-acting formulation and for prophylactic use. Further studies in these areas would be useful.
Nurses should be aware of potential side effects with long-term use as seen in other than cancer cases.
Bhatnagar, S., Devi, S., Vinod, N.K., Jain, P.N., Durgaprasad, G., Maroo, S.H., & Patel, K.R. (2014). Safety and efficacy of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate compared to morphine sulphate immediate release tablet in management of breakthrough cancer pain. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 20, 182–187.
To compare the efficacy and safety of transmucosal fentanyl and oral morphine for breakthrough pain
Patients were randomized to receive 200 mcg of transmucosal fentanyl or 10 mg immediate-release oral morphine when needed for breakthrough pain for three days. Patients were hospitalized during the study for monitoring. The intensity of breakthrough pain was assessed at time 0 and at 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after receiving the study drugs.
Open-label, randomized trial with an active control
Oral transmucosal fentanyl had a more rapid onset with better pain relief at 15 minutes. 56% of breakthrough episodes treated with fentanyl had a greater than 33% reduction in pain intensity at 15 minutes compared to 39% of episodes treated with morphine (p < 0.0001). Rescue medication was needed in 2.1% of patients receiving fentanyl and no patients using morphine. This difference was not significant. No adverse events were reported in either group. At all assessment time points, those receiving fentanyl had a lower pain intensity.
Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate was effective in reducing the intensity of breakthrough pain more quickly than oral morphine sulfate with no adverse events.
Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate was shown to be safe and more effective for short-duration episodes of breakthrough pain than immediate-release oral morphine sulfate. Because this was a brief study, the long-term efficacy or differences in outcomes is not known. For patients with breakthrough cancer-related pain, nurses can advocate for those medications that are shown to provide the most rapid-onset reduction in pain intensity. Fentanyl has a relatively short duration of action, so it may be most appropriate for use with the acute onset and short duration of breakthrough pain.
Bharti, N., Bala, I., Narayan, V., & Singh, G. (2013). Effect of gabapentin pretreatment on propofol consumption, hemodynamic variables, and postoperative pain relief in breast cancer surgery. Acta Anaesthesiologica Taiwanica, 51, 10–13.
To evaluate the effects of preoperative gabapentin on anesthesia requirements and postoperative pain
Patients were randomized to receive either 600 mg gabapentin or placebo two hours prior to surgery for breast cancer. Patients were followed for 24 hours after surgery. Postoperative analgesia was provided with intramuscular diclofenac sodium 1.5 mg every eight hours and IV morphine 3 mg on demand or when the pain score was 4 or higher.
Propofol requirements for induction (p = .02) and maintenance of anesthesia (p = .009) was significantly lower in the gabapentin group. Patients in the gabapentin group had significantly lower pain scores up to two hours postoperatively (p < .001). More patients in the control group required rescue analgesics (p = .03). There were no significant differences between groups in duration of surgery or intraoperative analgesics.
Preoperative gabapentin may reduce anesthesia dose requirements and short-term postoperative pain.
Preoperative gabapentin may reduce anesthesia dose needs and postoperative pain.
Bhana, N. (2007). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors in the management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia: Evidence based review. Current Opinion in Oncology, 19, 328–335.
The purpose of this study was to review the best current evidence for the efficacy of G-CSFs (filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, and lenograstim) for the primary and secondary prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, specifically for the primary outcomes of incidence and risk of neutropenia, infections, and infection-induced mortality. Secondary aims include review of the best and current evidence for the efficacy of G-CSFs for the outcomes of duration of neutropenia, hospitalizations, and antibiotic therapy.
MEDLINE (1966 to date), EMBASE (1980 to date), the Cochrane Library, and the Odyssey databases were searched.
Key words included colony-stimulating factors, filgrastim, nuepogen, pegfilrastim, neulasta, lenograstim, granocyte, neutropenia, fever
Inclusion criteria:
Exclusion criteria:
Initially, 11 RCTs, two study overviews, four meta-analyses, and three economic analyses were reviewed. One RCT was excluded to bring the total to 10.
The inclusion criteria state that RCTs included in this review needed to have more than 80 participants, yet one study included had 49. In addition, the inclusion of three economic studies did not match the study aim of efficacy of use of G-CSFs for reduction of neutropenia and related complications. Two of these economic studies were analyses of two of the RCTs being evaluated for efficacy in neutropenia prevention/reduction. The third economic study did not have details about the trial disclosed.
The use of G-CSF is overall effective for the reduction of neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, associated infections, antibiotic use, and hospitalizations in various populations of adult patients with cancer. The use of pegfilgrastin is more effective than filgrastin in reducing the risk of febrile neutropenia and pegfilgrastin is as effective as filgrastin in reducing the duration of severe neutropenia.
In the pediatric population with cancer, use of G-CSFs is effective in reducing the risk of febrile neutropenia and associated hospitalizations, but is not effective in reducing infections.In older adult populations, G-CSFs were effective for reduced use of antibiotics but not for risk of febrile neutropenia.
Current trials show that G-CSFs are overall effective in reducing the risk of neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and associated infections, hospitalizations, and antibiotic use for various populations of patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapeutic treatments.
Current American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations promote the use of G-CSFs for patients receiving chemotherapeutic treatments that have a greater than 20% risk of inducing febrile neutropenia. Although this review found mixed results within the studies evaluated and the criteria for this review stated was not completely followed; overall findings do indicate that G-CSF continues to be an effective therapy in the reduction of neutropenic events and related sequelae.
Implications for nursing practice include understanding the use and effectiveness of administration of G-CSF, promoting its use, and continued monitoring for neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and infections.
Bevans, M., Castro, K., Prince, P., Shelburne, N., Prachenko, O., Loscalzo, M., . . . Zabora, J. (2010). An individualized dyadic problem-solving education intervention for patients and family caregivers during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A feasibility study. Cancer Nursing, 33(2), e24–e32.
To evaluate the feasibility of providing an individualized problem-solving education intervention to patient-caregiver dyads during stem cell transplantation
The intervention was based on the COPE model involving creativity, optimism, planning, and expert information. Sessions used an active problem identified by each dyad to apply the COPE problem solving model. The clinician interventionist guided the dyad in problem identification, review of related expert information, and development of a plan to address the problem. Scripting, peer supervision, and session audiotapes were used to ensure integrity of the intervention. Data were collected with a log and subject interviews. Audiotaped interviews were transcribed for analysis, and a second transcriber did quality monitoring on 100% of the tapes to ensure accuracy and completeness. Four sessions were provided—prior to transplantation, at the time of hospital discharge, two weeks after discharge, and four weeks after discharge. Dyads also attended usual admission and discharge education classes provided as part of usual care. Data collection occurred at baseline, each of these time points, and six weeks after initial hospital discharge.
A single group repeated measures mixed method design was used.
Ninety-four percent of scheduled sessions were completed. Session length was a median of 45 minutes, ranging from 15–60 minutes. Clinicians reported session scheduling as the greatest challenge.
Themes that emerged from qualitative analysis were “opportunity to talk,” “expert information,” and “creative thinking.” Effect sizes for each measure for patients and caregivers over time were reported. Subjects’ SPSI-R scores were within normative group range, suggesting effective problem solving ability prior to the intervention. Patient baseline distress was significantly related to a change in SPSI-R scores over the course of the study (r = 0.8, p = 0.031). It was noted that the caregiving experience was not limited to a spouse, and the study experience pointed to the need to expand the network to all those involved. Effect sizes of change in measures were provided, but there were no differences in outcomes over time.
Provision of this type of intervention appears to be feasible, and although scheduling sessions was shown to be challenging to clinicians, a high proportion of sessions were completed. The study provides some initial effect size data in the outcome variables measured. Authors identified the need to include a broader network of caregivers and further explore alternative timing and scheduling approaches for this type of intervention.
Findings suggest that provision of individualized counseling and problem solving sessions using the COPE model is feasible with patients who have undergone stem cell transplant. In provision of caregiver support, nurses need to consider involving a number of caregivers because the network of individuals who are involved is often beyond a dyad. A broader involvement may also be helpful in dealing with session scheduling difficulties because of competing spouse priorities. Further research is warranted to evaluate effect sizes, different dosage, and timing of such interventions and involving various cultural groups. Further research including control groups is warranted as other similar studies have shown improvement in various patient and caregiver measures as a function of time alone.
Beuth, J., Schneider, B., & Schierholz, J. M. (2008). Impact of complementary treatment of breast cancer patients with standardized mistletoe extract during aftercare: a controlled multicenter comparative epidemiological cohort study. Anticancer Research, 28, 523–527.
Data were acquired by the investigators from the patients’ medical records at each of the study centers and were transferred to a standardized case report form (CRF). Data collected included patient demographics, characteristics of cancer disease and treatment, disease-related symptoms and adverse effects experienced by the patients, and the course of the disease. Outcomes were assessed at yearly intervals until the end of the observation or treatment period.
A total of 681 women with primary breast cancer were included.
Study Group
Control Group
Patients were excluded if they received other mistletoe products except the study medication, if they suffered from a relapse or metastatic disease at the beginning of the postoperative treatment, or if a secondary malignancy was detected.
The study was conducted in 53 randomly selected hospitals or practices representatively distributed in Germany, including oncologists, gynecologists, and general practitioners.
Unclear
This was a controlled, multicenter, comparative, epidemiological, cohort study.
Data were collected on CRFs in which, prior to data collection, the data elements required for the study were identified and defined.
The complementary standardized mistletoe extract study group reported a statistically significant lower number of fatigue or tiredness symptoms compared to the control group during an aftercare period of about five years, with 0.6% versus 1.0% reporting fatigue symptoms for the study and control groups, respectively.
Beutel, M.E., Weissflog, G., Leuteritz, K., Wiltink, J., Haselbacher, A., Ruckes, C., . . . Brahler, E. (2014). Efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) with depressed breast cancer patients: Results of a randomized controlled multicenter trial. Annals of Oncology, 25(2), 378-384.
To determine the efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy among women with breast cancer diagnosed with depression
Patients were randomized to study intervention or usual care groups. The usual care group received information about local counseling centers, and psychological diagnostic information was provided to their general practitioners. Physicians could refer for further treatment. Those in the experimental group received up to 5 pretreatment and 20 additional weekly psychotherapy sessions provided by psychotherapists who were trained in specific techniques for the study and a treatment manual. To ensure treatment fidelity, psychotherapists presented each patient in group supervision three times during the study. Study assessments were done at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.
Randomized clinical trial
Remission at follow-up determined by SCID–I interview and HADS
By intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (p = .007) and per protocol analysis (p = .02), remission rate was higher in the STPP group by HADs analysis. There was no difference in rates of remission by SCID criterion. Variables that were predictive of remission were study group, higher depression level at baseline, and time until post-treatment measure. STPP patients received an average of 18 sessions compared to an average of 2.4 sessions among controls. There was a trend for more use of antidepressant medication in the STPP group (p = .09).
Individual psychotherapy was shown to improve depression among depressed patients with breast cancer.
Individual psychotherapy can be beneficial for patients with cancer experiencing clinical depression. Screening for depression can identify those patients who may benefit from interventions.
Bertoglio, S., Fabiani, F., Negri, P.D., Corcione, A., Merlo, D.F., Cafiero, F., . . . Zappi, L. (2012). The postoperative analgesic efficacy of preperitoneal continuous wound infusion compared to epidural continuous infusion with local anesthetics after colorectal cancer surgery: A randomized controlled multicenter study. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 115, 1442–1450.
To evaluate the effectiveness of preperitoneal continuous wound infusion (CWI) with ropivacaine, compared to continuous epidural infusion (CEI) with ropivacaine, on pain control after open colorectal surgery and on the quality of patient recovery
The intervention group had preperitoneal CWI analgesia. The control group had preperitoneal CEI analgesia. Participants were randomly assigned and received either CWI or CEI during first 48 hours postop. Infusion consisted of 0.2% ropivacaine at 10 ml/hour. All patients received morphine patient-controlled analgesia during the first 72 hours postop. All received standardized postoperative care not adhering to fast-track surgery programs. Investigators used the 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) to measure pain.
A 4.5-point difference in VAS pain score showed that preperitoneal CWI was not inferior to CEI analgesia.
Multicenter randomized controlled trial (noninferiority design)
The primary outcome measure was a VAS whose scale ranged from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst pain imaginable).
Other outcome measures included
CWI provides an acceptable alternative to CEI for the management of patients' pain after colorectal surgery for the treatment of cancer.
The study had a risk of bias due to no blinding.
This study shows that oncology nurses, as advocates for patients, can support CWI as an alternative to CEI as a means of postoperative pain management. Because CWI was associated with significant benefits regarding postoperative sleep disturbance, bowel function, and nausea and vomiting—as well as pain management—nurses can advocate for the use of CWI to address several symptoms of concern to oncology patients and direct-care nurses.
Bertoglio, J.C., Calderon, S., Lesina, B., Pilleux, L., Morazzoni, P., Riva, A., . . . Petrangolini, G. (2013). Effect of SAMITAL® in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in adult oncohematological patients. Future Oncology, 9, 1727–1732.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SAMITAL in reducing mucositis in patients undergoing treatment for hematologic malignancies
Patients used SAMITAL mouth rinse three to four times daily and held it in the mouth for one minute.
The grade of mucositis was reduced from grade 2 to 0–1 in seven patients (25%). It is stated that pain, mucosal erosions, bleeding, and dysphagia were reduced; however, it is unclear how these were measured.
SAMITAL may have some benefit in the prevention and management of oral mucositis.
The authors suggested performing randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials to confirm the suitability of SAMITAL for the treatment and prophylaxis of mucositis.