A Pilot Randomized Trial Assessing the Effect of a Psychoeducational Intervention on Psychoneuroimmunological Parameters Among Patients With Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine a potential benefit of the specific psychoeducational intervention "Learning to Live with Cancer" (LTLWC) for patients with operated nonmetastatic breast cancer, with respect to psychological variables and endocrine and immune parameters. METHODS: Fifty-two postmenopausal women with operated stage I to III breast cancer were randomized to either a breast cancer intervention group (BCIG, n = 30) who immediately began participating in the LTLWC intervention program or to a breast cancer control group (BCCG, n = 22). Matched healthy women were asked to participate as a noncancer comparison group (n = 26). All participants were evaluated at three different time points (t1-t3) using a set of standardized questionnaires and blood samples were taken to analyze immune cell subsets and stress hormone levels. RESULTS: A significant reduction in trait anxiety/State Trait Anxiety Inventory score was observed in the BCIG (t1: median = 35.0 [interquartile range = 28.0-38.0] versus t3: median = 26.0 [interquartile range = 18.5-37.0], p = .0001) compared with the BCCG (t1: median = 41.0 [interquartile range =32.75-49.0]; t3: median = 38.5 [interquartile range = 30.75-46.5], p = .01524; p interaction = .001). In parallel, a significant rise of serotonin levels (t1: median = 66.5 ng/ml [interquartile range = 11.50-106.00] versus t3: median = 80.5 ng/ml [interquartile range =59.00-118.00], p = .00008) as well as a significant reduction of the elevated number of Treg cells at baseline (t1: median = 4.45% [interquartile range = 4.00-5.33] versus t3: median = 2.80% [interquartile range = 2.68-3.13], p < .00001) were observed in the BCIG versus no change in the BCCG. A significant statistical association between reduced trait anxiety and decreased Treg cell number could be demonstrated in the BCIG (r = .62, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The observed results of this study provide preliminary support for the efficacy of the LTLWC program in significantly improving psychoneuroimmunological parameters in patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer.

Global quality of life and its potential predictors in breast cancer patients: an exploratory study.

GOALS OF WORK: This study reflects variables being depicted as predictors of global quality of life in current research. The evaluation was conducted at the Division of Clinical Oncology at the Medical University in Graz, Austria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 210 breast cancer patients between ages 30 and 80 years was assessed 1-5 years after initial diagnosis in a tumor-free stage. Besides the socio-demographic and medical variables, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Impact of Event Scale (IES), Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC), and the Perceived Family Support (PFS) were used. To identify variables related to quality of life, stepwise multiple regression analyses were calculated. MAIN RESULTS: In a regression analysis, the general severity index (BSI) was identified as the most important and helplessness/hopelessness (MAC) as the second important variable related to QoL. Including the BSI-subscales as predictors, the depression-subscale (BSI) explained 25% of the variance; in addition, somatization (BSI), helplessness/hopelessness (MAC), and having financial problems (semi-structured interview) were significantly related to global quality of life, but the medical variables showed no associations to the measured quality of life. Depression itself is associated with negative the impact of cancer, the number of stressful life events, being uncomfortable with the body, having financial problems and anxious preoccupation (MAC). CONCLUSIONS: The awareness of the role of multi-factorial and associated variables could provide patients, family, and medical staff with appropriate and adequate tools to treat specific symptoms.

Assessing symptoms of terminally-ill patients by different raters: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: For patients who are terminally ill, the efficiency of symptom management is dependent, among other factors, on an accurate assessment by proxy raters. The aim of this prospective study is to describe differences in symptom severity ratings between patients and their nurses, physicians, and family members during their stay in different departments with acute care, and to identify variables associated with the accuracy of the ratings by others. METHODS: Physical, psychological, social, and functional disorders were assessed for 41 in-patients with a standardized 13-item Symptom List for Quality Assurance in Palliative Care drafted by the Working Group on the Core Documentation for Palliative Care Units in Germany. Symptom assessment was completed by different raters (patient, nurse, physician, family member) within the first four days after admission. Socio-demographic, disease-related, and hospitalization data were taken from patient charts. RESULTS: Reliability of the symptom list was computed with Cronbach's alpha measures for the present sample. Between-group-comparisons on the individual items and on the sum-score level were analyzed separately for the different rater-pairs: patients-nurses (n = 41), patients-physicians (n = 39), patients-family members (n = 12). Multiple regression analyses calculated predictive variables of the staff's deviation scores. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Significant differences for nurses and physicians were found on the sum-score level for psychological and social symptoms, but not for physical and functional symptoms. Family members rated the intensities of the symptoms generally higher than the patients. Suggestions for further analyses are presented and discussed.