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BACKGROUND: Treatment decisions in metastatic melanoma (MM) depend on patient preferences and require the patients' involvement in the decision-making process. Patients often feel overwhelmed by the complexity of treatment options with their individual advantages and disadvantages. We developed an online patient decision aid (PtDA) to facilitate shared decision making (SDM). METHODS: We conducted a two-center, two-armed, prospective, open randomized controlled trial with MM patients who were facing a decision about first-line treatment. They were randomly allotted (1:1) to the use or non-use of the PtDA before discussing the choice of treatment with a physician (intervention group [IG] and control group [CG], respectively). The primary endpoint of the study was patient knowledge about first-line treatment options (multiple-choice test, 10 items, range 0-40 points). The secondary endpoints were the degree of SDM (ratings of audio recordings of the patient-physician discussions by third-party observers) and satisfaction with the decision that was taken on later follow-up. RESULTS: 120 of the 128 randomized patients completed the baseline questionnaire and were included in the analysis (59% male, median age 66 years). The primary endpoint, i.e., the mean difference in knowledge after discussion with a physician, was significantly higher in the intervention group (mean difference -3.22, 95% CI [-6.32;-0.12], p = 0.042). No difference was found in either of the secondary endpoints (SDM and satisfaction with the decision). The patients in the intervention group rated the PtDA as very useful. CONCLUSION: PtDA improved MM patients' knowledge about their options for treatment. Both patients who used it and patients who did not were highly satisfied with their treatment decisions. Additional physician training seems necessary to promote SDM.
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Indolent cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCL) are a rare disease for which the therapeutic recommendations are based on clinical reports. Recommendations for solitary lesions include surgery or irradiation. However, the high relapse rates may require less invasive repeatable therapy. This study seeks to retrospectively assess the efficacy of intralesional rituximab (ILR) for indolent CBCL when compared with intravenous rituximab (IVR). Patients treated for indolent CBCL with ILR or IVR at the Division of DermatoOncology of the University Hospital Heidelberg were eligible for this study. Characteristics of lymphoma, treatment response, and adverse events were assessed. Twenty-one patients, 67% male at a median age of 52 (range 17-80), were included. Nineteen (90%) had only localized lymphoma (stage T1 and T2). Complete response was achieved in 92% (11/12) of ILR after a median of one cycle (three injections) and 78% (7/8) of IVR patients after a median of six cycles. Half of ILR patients and 78% of IVR patients showed relapse after a median of 15 and 23 months, respectively. Adverse reactions were usually mild and were limited to the first injection of ILR. One patient with IVR contracted a pulmonary infection. ILR may be an alternative to the intravenous administration of rituximab for localized indolent CBCL.
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ABSTRACT Background: Most of the Chilean population has overweight or obesity. The ACTION-IO survey identified the perceptions, attitudes, and barriers to effective obesity care in people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Aim: To report the results of the survey in Chile. Material and Methods: An online survey was conducted in 11 countries. In Chile, eligible PwO were adults with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2. Eligible HCPs were physicians involved in direct patient care. Results: The survey was completed by 1,000 PwO and 200 HCPs in Chile. Seventy four percent of PwO and 95% of HCPs agreed that obesity was a chronic disease. Most PwO (79%) assumed responsibility for their own weight loss, while 47% of HCPs considered weight loss to be the sole responsibility of their patients. Both 82% of PwO and 97% of HCPs believed that lack of exercise was a key barrier to weight loss. Sixty six percent of PwO and 58% HCPs noted that the cost of weight management medications, programs, and services was another barrier. Compared with HCPs, more PwO felt that genetic factors prevented weight loss (26 and 44% respectively). Few HCPs (19%) thought that their patients were motivated to lose weight, while 55% of PwO reported being motivated. Most (70%) PwO had discussed their weight problem with their HCP in the past 5 years, and of those that had not, 89% want their HCP to start a discussion about weight. Conclusions: Chilean data reveal misconceptions among PwO and HCPs about obesity and highlights the need to improve education about its biologic background and clinical management.
Antecedentes: La población chilena tiene una alta prevalencia de sobrepeso u obesidad. La encuesta ACTION-IO, realizada en personas con obesidad (PcO) y profesionales de la salud (PdS), identificó las percepciones, actitudes y barreras para lograr un efectivo manejo de la obesidad. Objetivos: Informar los resultados de la encuesta en Chile. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta on-line en 11 países. En Chile, las PcO elegibles fueron adultos con un índice de masa corporal ≥ 30 kg/m2 y los PdS eran médicos que realizaban atención directa de pacientes. Resultados: En Chile, la encuesta fue completada por 1000 PcO y 200 PdS. Un 74% de las PcO y 95% de los PdS consideraron que la obesidad es una enfermedad crónica. La mayoría de las PcO (79%) asumieron su total responsabilidad en la pérdida de peso, mientras que el 47% de los PdS consideraron que la pérdida de peso era responsabilidad exclusiva de los pacientes. Un 82% de las PcO y 97% de los PdS estimaron que la falta de ejercicio era una importante barrera para la pérdida de peso. Además, las PcO (66%) y los PdS (58%) refirieron que el costo de los programas, medicamentos y otros servicios constituyen barreras para el control del peso. Un 44% de las PcO y un 26% de los PdS consideraron que factores genéticos dificultaban la baja de peso. Solo el 19% de los PdS pensaban que sus pacientes estaban motivados para perder peso, mientras que el 55% de las PcO afirmaron estar motivados. La mayoría de las PcO (70%), había discutido el problema del peso con algún PdS en los últimos cinco años. De aquellas que no lo habían hecho, el 89% deseaba entablar una conversación sobre el peso con algún PdS. Conclusiones: Los datos chilenos revelan percepciones y creencias discordantes entre PcO y PdS sobre la obesidad, destacando así la necesidad de mejorar la educación sobre su base biológica y manejo clínico.