Plain language summary and patient perspective of the European Society for Medical Oncology expert consensus statements on treating EGFR-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This article provides a plain language summary and patient perspective of a new set of recommendations made by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO for short). These recommendations are also called expert consensus statements. They cover the management of people with a type of lung cancer called epidermal growth factor receptor-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (EGFR-positive NSCLC for short). WHY WERE THE RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED?: The ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines are used by healthcare professionals when treating people with cancer, but they don't necessarily have all the information healthcare professionals need to make decisions for with people with EGFR-positive NSCLC. So, in 2021, 32 healthcare professionals who are experts in treating people with EGFR-positive NSCLC worked together to produce recommendations to fill these gaps about EGFR-positive NSCLC. This was called a consensus-building process and it also included patient advocates. WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS DID THEY MAKE?: The experts discussed four main topics including how people with different stages of EGFR-positive NSCLC are diagnosed and treated, and how clinical studies are done. They reviewed the scientific information that exists on these subjects. They reached an agreement and developed the recommendations that are summarized here.

Plain language summary and patient perspective of the American Society for Clinical Oncology guideline: management of stage 3 non-small-cell lung cancer.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This is a plain language summary of a guideline on the management of stage 3 non-small-cell lung cancer, also known as NSCLC. This guideline was written by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO for short) and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. WHY WERE THE GUIDELINES DEVELOPED?: The purpose of the ASCO guideline is to provide recommendations to healthcare professionals in the US including oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, and nurses on how best to diagnose and treat people with stage 3 NSCLC. HOW WERE THE GUILDEINES DEVELOPED?: The ASCO guideline is based on the latest research and scientific evidence to make certain the recommendations are up to date and based on reliable data and best practice. In 2021, a group of experts were asked by ASCO to form an Expert Panel. The Expert Panel reviewed the results of 127 clinical research studies on NSCLC that were done between 1990 and 2021. They looked at how NSCLC had been diagnosed and treated in these studies, as well as at patients' survival and quality of life. The Expert Panel used these findings and their own expertise to form their recommendations and produce the 2021 ASCO Guideline called 'Management of Stage 3 Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: ASCO Guideline'. WHAT INFORMATION DOES THE GUIDELINE CONTAIN?: The guideline aims to answer the following questions: What are the most precise ways to confirm and stage NSCLC in people suspected of having a stage 3 disease? Which patients with stage 3 NSCLC can be treated most successfully with surgery? Which patients who can be treated with surgery could also have an additional therapy before their surgery? Which patients who can be treated with surgery could also have an additional treatment after their surgery? Which treatment and/or management is most suitable for patients who cannot have surgery?

2022 cancer statistics: Focus on lung cancer.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This is a plain language summary of a medical journal article called 'Cancer statistics, 2022'. The data in this summary provides detailed information about lung cancer and less detailed information about other cancers. The researchers from the original study used data gathered from previous years to produce a cancer forecast, predicting the number of new cancer diagnoses and deaths in the United States in 2022. WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?: The review of the data up to 2019 found that compared to previous years: Advanced lung cancer diagnoses had decreased Local stage lung cancer diagnoses had increased Deaths had slowed for lung cancer Deaths continued to reduce for breast cancer, but the rate of this reduction had slowed down Female breast cancer diagnoses were slowly increasing each year Prostate cancer diagnoses stayed similar Local stage prostate cancer diagnoses stayed similar Advanced prostate cancer diagnoses had increased each year The researchers estimated that over 1.9 million new cancer cases would be diagnosed and over half a million cancer deaths would occur in the United States in 2022. This figure includes approximately 350 deaths per day from lung cancer, which was found to be the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. WHAT DO THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY MEAN?: The study found that progress in reducing the number of people being diagnosed with breast and prostate cancer has stalled. Although there were fewer lung cancers diagnosed, this reduction was likely caused by changes in screening and advancements in lung cancer treatments. The American Cancer Society recommended that investing more funds in detecting cancers early as well as developing targeted treatments would help to reduce cancer death rates. This would also help to address the differences in access to cancer care that exist based on racial, social and economic inequalities.

Plain language summary and patient perspective of the revised STARS study: long-term results of a study that compared the effectiveness of radiotherapy to surgery in people with non-small-cell lung cancer.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This is a summary of a research study called revised STARS. The STARS study involved people with non-small-cell lung cancer, also known as NSCLC. The cancer was less than 5 cm in size and had not spread to other parts of the body (known as stage 1 cancer). The study compared the effectiveness of surgery versus a type of radiotherapy treatment, called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (also known as SABR) as a treatment for people with NSCLC. Researchers wanted to find out how likely people were to be alive after treatment or if their cancer had grown or spread to other parts of their body (also known as progressed). WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?: The study found that the long term outcomes were similar between SABR and surgery. People with NSCLC were as likely to be alive 3 years after treatment with SABR compared to surgery. WHAT DO THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY MEAN?: SABR may be an alternative to surgery for people with stage 1 NSCLC which is less than 5 cm in size and has not spread to other parts of the body Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02357992 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Plain language summary and patient perspective of the 2020 lung cancer screening recommendations by the US Preventive Services Task Force.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This summary describes the research carried out by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF for short) during a review and update of their lung cancer screening recommendations made in 2013. The USPSTF reviewed the results of clinical studies that used a type of scan called low dose computed tomography (LDCT for short). They wanted to see how successful LDCT was at finding lung cancers in people ho hadn't shown any physical signs of lung cancer, but had a history of smoking and were over 50 years of age. WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?: The review found that performing yearly LDCT scans in people who are at high risk of developing lung cancer is beneficial, as it means that some patients will be diagnosed earlier than they would be without this type of screening. People considered to be at high risk of developing lung cancer include: Adults aged 50 to 80 years who have smoked a pack of 20 cigarettes per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years; OR Adults aged 50 to 80 years who currently smoke or have stopped smoking within the last 15 years. WHAT DO THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY MEAN?: The information gained from reviewing the research enabled the USPSTF to update their lung cancer screening recommendations.

Assessment of the relationship between disease progression and goals of care by individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their caregivers.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Most patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in the US are diagnosed at about age 5 years. Some adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with DMD are now living into their fourth decade, yet AYAs and caregivers are frequently unprepared to address changes in goals of care due to disease progression. The hypothesis-generating research question was how AYAs with DMD and their caregivers understand the relationship between physical changes and the need to change goals of care. METHODS: Grounded theory design using data from N = 30 semi-structured interviews (n = 13 AYA; n = 17 caregivers) from two sites. RESULTS: AYAs with DMD frequently defer considering and/or reconsidering goals of care based on (1) delays in diagnosis; (2) gradual, rather than episodic, disease progression; and (3) orientation to living in the present. Desire for autonomy motivates advance care planning and end-of-life treatment preferences for some. DISCUSSION: Routine inquiry into AYA and caregiver goals for living may normalize goals of care conversations, maximizing patients' ability to process information, reflect on preferences, and articulate wishes. Discussing present-day goals and abilities may invite conversation about future preferences. Framing conversations in terms of AYA autonomy may increase motivation to engage in such discussions.

Community suicide rates and related factors within a surveillance platform in Western Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is an important contributor to the burden of mental health disorders, but community-based suicide data are scarce in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) including Kenya. Available data on suicide underestimates the true burden due to underreporting related to stigma and legal restrictions, and under-representation of those not utilizing health facilities. METHODS: We estimated the cumulative incidence of suicide via verbal autopsies from the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Kisumu County, Kenya. We then used content analysis of open history forms among deaths coded as accidents to identify those who likely died by suicide but were not coded as suicide deaths. We finally conducted a case-control study of suicides (both verbal autopsy confirmed and likely suicides) compared to accident-caused deaths to assess factors associated with suicide in this HDSS. RESULTS: A total of 33 out of 4306 verbal autopsies confirmed suicide as the cause of death. Content analysis of a further 228 deaths originally attributed to accidents identified 39 additional likely suicides. The best estimate of suicide-specific mortality rate was 14.7 per 100,000 population per year (credibility window = 11.3 - 18.0). The most common reported method of death was self-poisoning (54%). From the case-control study interpersonal difficulties and stressful life events were associated with increased odds of suicide in both confirmed suicides and confirmed combined with suspected suicides. Other pertinent factors such as age and being male differed depending upon which outcome was used. CONCLUSION: Suicide is common in this area, and interventions are needed to address drivers. The twofold increase in the suicide-specific mortality rate following incorporation of misattributed suicide deaths exemplify underreporting and misclassification of suicide cases at community level. Further, verbal autopsies may underreport suicide specifically among older and female populations.

Interventions to improve social circumstances of people with mental health conditions: a rapid evidence synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Poor social circumstances can induce, exacerbate and prolong symptoms of mental health conditions, while having a mental health condition can also lead to worse social outcomes. Many people with mental health conditions prioritise improvement in social and functional outcomes over reduction in clinical symptoms. Interventions that improve social circumstances in this population should thus be considered a priority for research and policy. METHODS: This rapid evidence synthesis reports on randomised controlled trials of interventions to improve social circumstances across eight social domains (Housing and homelessness; money and basic needs; work and education; social isolation and connectedness; family, intimate and caring relationships; victimisation and exploitation; offending; and rights, inclusion and citizenship) in people with mental health conditions. Economic evaluations were also identified. A comprehensive, stepped search approach of the Cochrane library, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus was conducted. RESULTS: One systematic review and 102 randomised controlled trials were included. We did not find RCT evidence for interventions to improve family, intimate and caring relationships and only one or two trials for each of improving money and basic needs, victimisation and exploitation, and rights, inclusion and citizenship. Evidence from successful interventions in improving homelessness (Housing First) and employment (Individual Placement and Support) suggests that high-intensity interventions which focus on the desired social outcome and provide comprehensive multidisciplinary support could influence positive change in social circumstances of people with mental health conditions. Objective social isolation could be improved using a range of approaches such as supported socialisation and social skills training but interventions to reduce offending showed few benefits. Studies with cost and cost-effectiveness components were generally supportive of interventions to improve housing and vocational outcomes. More research is needed to ensure that social circumstances accompanied by high risks of further exacerbation of mental health conditions are adequately addressed. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a large body of literature examining how to support some aspects of life for people with mental health conditions, more high-quality evidence is required in other social domains. Integration into mental health services of interventions targeting social circumstances could significantly improve a number of social outcomes.

Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Is Protective Against Postoperative Cardiothoracic Wound Infection.

BACKGROUND: Sternal wound infections are a rare but life-threatening complication of cardiothoracic surgery. Prior literature has supported the use of negative pressure wound therapy to decrease sternal wound infections and promote healing. This study sought to determine whether closed incision negative pressure therapy reduced wound infection and improved outcomes in cardiothoracic surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed including all adult patients who underwent nontraumatic cardiothoracic surgery at a single institution between 2016 and 2018 (n = 1199). Patient characteristics, clinical variables, and surgical outcomes were compared between those who did and did not receive incisional negative pressure wound therapy intraoperatively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis determined factors predictive or protective of the development of complications. RESULTS: Incisional negative pressure wound therapy was used in 58.9% of patients. Patients who received this therapy were older with statistically higher rates of hyperlipidemia, statin, and antihypertensive use. The use of negative pressure wound therapy was found to significantly reduce rates of both wound infection (3.0% vs 6.3%, P = 0.01) and readmission for wound infection (0.7% vs 2.6%, P = 0.01). After controlling for confounding variables, negative pressure wound therapy was found to be a protective factor of surgical wound infection (odds ratio, 0.497; 95% confidence interval, 0.262-0.945). CONCLUSIONS: In the largest population studied to date, this study supported the expanded use of negative pressure therapy on sternal wound incisions to decrease infection rates.

Gut leben zuhause mit Multimorbidität.

Living well at home with multimorbidity - A project on the contribution of advanced practice nursing in home health care Abstract. Background: Multimorbidity has increased among the elderly, leading to loss of autonomy, lower quality of life, complex treatment plans and higher rates of complications and hospitalisations. Functional impairment and challenging therapy management make the use of home health nursing services essential. Experience in primary care and in hospitals has shown that Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) lead to a better quality of care for patients with multimorbidity. However, there is no data yet regarding the potential contribution of APNs to the care of these patients in home healthcare settings. Aim: To develop the role of the APN in a home health nursing organisation for patients with multimorbidity, applying internationally established APN core competencies. Methods: Characteristics of referred clients were collected and presented in case studies in an APN practice development project based on the PDCA-cycle. Benefits for clients, family caregivers, the nursing team, and for interprofessional collaboration were elaborated. Results: During the project period, a total of 40 clients were assigned to APN-care. An increase in stability in complex situations and higher confidence of clients and family caregivers in their individual health management were achieved. Discussion: The key factors were the APN's leadership role in best practice development and interprofessional collaboration. The APN played an important role in coordinating the numerous parties involved. Limits and transfer: This role must be further established. Empirical research is required to show the effect on quality of care.