Use of complementary and alternative medicine in vitiligo: a cross-sectional survey.

Vitiligo is characterized by skin depigmentation, which can lead to profound psychological effects and decreased quality of life, especially for those with skin of color. Individuals with vitiligo may utilize complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) due to limited treatment options with varying efficacy.An anonymous, multiple-choice, cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed to participants with vitiligo in the United States through online forums. Data on disease characteristics, use of prescription medications, use of topical therapies, supplements, and diets, and perceptions of CAM were collected.In total, 625 respondents completed the survey. Overall, 32.5% of participants (203/625) have tried CAM. Commonly reported CAM include supplements of vitamin D (57.7%, 116/203), vitamin B12 (46.3%, 93/203), vitamin C (27.4%, 55/203), topical Nigella sativa oil (26.4%, 53/203), oral omega-3 fatty acids (24.9%, 50/203), folic acid (22.9%, 46/203), and vitamin E (22.9%, 46/203). Frequently cited reasons for CAM use include desire to try "new" (40.4%, 82/203) or "more natural" (26.6%, 54/203) therapies, "frustration with conventional medicine" (24.6%, 50/203), and fear of "adverse side effects of conventional medicine" (23.6%, 48/203). Non-White participants were more likely than their White counterparts to report CAM use and have more positive perceptions of CAM therapies. Less than half (43.3%, 88/203) of CAM users reported that they disclosed their use of CAM with their physician.Dermatologists should be mindful of CAM and ask patients about their use. Further investigation of the role of CAM as adjuvant therapy for vitiligo is warranted to better advise patients.

Herbal medicines from the industry in the unified health system: challenge faced by medical professionals

Abstract The World Health Organization recognized the use of herbal medicines as a therapeutic resource and its application in the primary attention to heath. The begin of this expansion was in 2006, with the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary practices of the Unified Health System (SUS). This research aimed to evaluate the questionnaires applied to doctors, who may have prescribed industrialized herbal medicines and to identify the difficulties involved with the implementation of this therapy as an integrative and complementary practice. It is a quantitative, observational and transversal study conducted in the municipality of Pinhais/Brazil. The questionnaire applied had as themes the experience of personal use of industrialized herbal medicines, improvement after their use. Forty-four individuals from four different nationalities: Brazilian (88.64%), Cuban (6.82%), Mexican (2.27%) and Argentinian (2.27%), ages between 25 and 69 years, mainly male sex (54.55%) answered the questionnaire. According to the study, the doctors consider herbal medicines an alternative to the conventional treatment and these medical professionals have already prescribed some industrialized herbal medications. Despite the difficulties faced by medical doctors with the prescription of herbs, it is possible to define strategies to assist these professionals, such as the incentive the actions by the governments.

[Results of a survey aimed at dietitians-nutritionists on the management of clinical nutrition teams during the COVID-19 pandemic in hospitals in Catalonia]. / Resultados de una encuesta dirigida a dietistas-nutricionistas sobre la gestión de los equipos de nutrición clínica durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en centros hospitalarios de Cataluña.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic has had direct implications for clinical nutrition teams (NT), both at an organizational and healthcare level. Since March 2020, expert recommendations on nutritional intervention for patients with COVID-19 have been available. Objectives: to describe the nutritional intervention that has been carried out in patients with COVID-19, to estimate the presence of clinical dietitians-nutritionists (DN) in hospitals in Catalonia, and to know the organization of NTs. Methods: a cross-sectional study through an online survey directed to clinical DNs at hospitals in Catalonia (March 2021) was made. Results: the surveys of 36 NTs, made up of 104 DNs, have been analysed. A total of 44.44 % of NTs had to interrupt or reduce some of their usual activities during the pandemic. When nutritional screening was used, it was carried out early (24-48 h) in 56.25 % of cases, and the most common tool was the NRS-2002 (66.67 %). In 41.67 % of NTs a specific hospital diet was established, this being generally hyperproteic (89.66 %). Oral nutritional supplementation was systematically prescribed by 41.67 % of NTs, prioritizing hyperproteic (97.14 %) and hypercaloric (74.29 %) formulas. It is estimated that clinical DNs are present in approximately 61.54 % of public acute hospitals in Catalonia. Conclusions: the results reflect the adaptive capacity of NTs, reorganizing and redistributing their usual tasks and establishing infrequent measures to ensure nutritional support.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la pandemia por COVID-19 ha tenido implicaciones directas en los equipos de nutrición (EN) clínica a nivel tanto organizativo como asistencial. Desde marzo de 2020 se dispone de recomendaciones de expertos sobre la intervención nutricional en pacientes con COVID-19. Objetivos: describir la intervención nutricional que se ha llevado a cabo en los pacientes con COVID-19, estimar la presencia de dietistas-nutricionistas (DN) clínicos en los hospitales de Cataluña y conocer la organización de los EN. Métodos: estudio transversal realizado a través de una encuesta online dirigida a los DN clínicos de los hospitales de Cataluña (marzo 2021). Resultados: se han analizado las encuestas de 36 EN, formados por 104 DN. El 44,44 % de los EN han tenido que dejar de hacer o reducir alguna de sus actividades habituales durante la pandemia. Cuando se ha empleado el cribado nutricional, este se ha realizado de forma precoz (24-48 h) en el 56,25 % de los casos y la herramienta más común ha sido el NRS-2002 (66,67 %). El 41,67 % de los EN han instaurado una dieta hospitalaria específica, siendo esta generalmente hiperproteica (89,66 %). El 41,67 % de los EN han pautado la suplementación nutricional oral de forma sistemática, priorizando las fórmulas hiperproteicas (97,14 %) e hipercalóricas (74,29 %). Se estima que la figura del DN clínico está presente en aproximadamente el 61,54 % de los hospitales de agudos públicos de Cataluña. Conclusiones: los resultados reflejan la capacidad de adaptación de los EN, reorganizando y redistribuyendo sus tareas habituales e instaurando medidas poco habituales para asegurar el soporte nutricional.

Music therapy was noninferior to verbal standard treatment of traumatized refugees in mental health care: Results from a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Many people with refugee backgrounds suffer from trauma-related complex social and psychological problems, and compliance with standard psychological treatment tends to be low. More culturally adaptable treatment options seem to be needed. Objective: We aimed to investigate whether the music therapy method: 'trauma-focused music and imagery' (tr-MI), characterized by a particular focus on arousal and affect regulation, would be equally effective as the standard psychological talk therapies for ameliorating trauma symptoms in Danish refugees. Methods: A pragmatic, noninferiority, parallel, randomized controlled trial with six-month follow-up was carried out at three clinics for refugees in the public mental health services of the Psychiatry (DK). Seventy-four adults diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were allocated to either music therapy sessions (tr-MI, N = 39) or psychological treatment as usual (TAU, N = 35). Western classical music, new age music, and music from the participants' own national culture were used to generate inner imagery, following a phased treatment protocol. Homework entailed listening to music. The primary outcome was the measurement of trauma symptoms by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, section IV (HTQ-IV); secondary measures were somatoform and psychoform dissociation (DSS-20), SDQ-20), attachment (RAAS), and well-being (WHO-5). Treatment effects reflected by primary and secondary measures were estimated using linear mixed models. Results: Tr-MI was noninferior to TAU (mean difference at follow-up HTQ-IV: 0.14, CI (-0.10; 0.38), with a - 0.3 noninferiority margin). A high dropout rate of 40% occurred in the TAU group, compared to 5% in the music therapy group. Secondary measures generated small to medium effect sizes in both groups, with significant medium effect sizes for well-being and psychoform dissociation at follow-up in tr-MI. Conclusions: Tr-MI is an innovative form of psychological treatment in refugee mental health services. Trials comparing music therapy to standardized therapy are needed to substantiate the evidence base for tr-MI therapy.

Antecedentes: Muchas personas con antecedente de condición de refugiadas sufren complejos problemas psicológicos y sociales relacionados con el trauma, y el cumplimiento con el tratamiento psicológico estándar tiende a ser bajo. Parecen ser necesarias opciones de tratamiento más culturalmente adaptadas.Objetivo: Apuntamos a investigar si el método de músico-terapia: 'música e imaginería focalizada en el trauma' (tr-MI), caracterizado por un enfoque particular en el nivel de alerta y regulación emocional, podría ser igualmente efectivo como las terapias psicológicas de conversación para aliviar síntomas de trauma en refugiados daneses.Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un ensayo clínico aleatorizado controlado, pragmático, de no inferioridad, paralelo, con seis meses de seguimiento en tres clínicas para refugiados en servicios públicos de salud mental de Psiquiatría en Dinamarca. Setenta y cuatro adultos diagnosticados con Trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) fueron asignados a sesiones de músico-terapia (tr-MI, N = 39) o al tratamiento psicológico de costumbre (TAU, N = 35). Se utilizó música clásica occidental, música new age, y música de la propia cultura nacional de los participantes, para generar imaginería interior, siguiendo un protocolo de tratamiento por fases. La tarea implicaba escuchar música. El resultado principal fue la medición de síntomas de trauma a través del Cuestionario de Trauma de Harvard, sección IV (HTQ-IV); las mediciones secundarias fueron disociación somatomorfa y psicomorfa (DSS-20, SDQ-20), apego (RAAS), y bienestar (WHO-5). Los efectos del tratamiento reflejados por mediciones primarias y secundarias fueron estimados usando modelos lineales mixtos.Resultados: Tr-MI no fue inferior a TAU (diferencia promedio al seguimiento HTQ-IV: 0.14, IC −0.10; 0.38), con un margen de no-inferioridad de −0.3). Una alta tasa de deserción de un 40% ocurrió en el grupo TAU, comparado con un 5% en el grupo de músico-terapia. Las mediciones secundarias generaron tamaños de efecto pequeños a medianos en ambos grupos, con un tamaño del efecto mediano significativo para bienestar y disociación psicomorfa al seguimiento en tr-MI.Conclusiones: Tr-MI es una forma innovadora de tratamiento psicológico en servicios de salud mental para refugiados. Se necesitan ensayos comparando músico-terapia con terapia estandarizada para probar la base de evidencia para la terapia tr-MI.

Experiences of Dutch maternity care professionals during the first wave of COVID-19 in a community based maternity care system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: During the COVID-19 pandemic the organization of maternity care changed drastically; this study into the experiences of maternity care professionals with these changes provides suggestions for the organization of care during and after pandemics. DESIGN: An online survey among Dutch midwives, obstetricians and obstetric residents. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to investigate associations between the respondents' characteristics and answers. RESULTS: Reported advantages of the changes were fewer prenatal and postpartum consultations (50.1%). The necessity and safety of medical interventions and ultrasounds were considered more critically (75.9%); 14.8% of community midwives stated they referred fewer women to the hospital for decreased fetal movements, whereas 64.2% of the respondents working in hospital-based care experienced fewer consultations for this indication. Respondents felt that women had more confidence in giving birth at home (57.5%). Homebirths seemed to have increased according to 38.5% of the community midwives and 65.3% of the respondents working in hospital-based care. Respondents appreciated the shift to more digital consultations rather than face-to-face consultations. Mentioned disadvantages were that women had appointments alone, (71.1%) and that the community midwife was not allowed to join a woman to obstetric-led care during labour and subsequently stay with her (56.8%). Fewer postpartum visits by family and friends led to more tranquility (59.8%). Overall, however, 48.0% of the respondents felt that the safety of maternity care was compromised due to policy changes. CONCLUSIONS: Maternity care professionals were positive about the decrease in routine care and the increased confidence of women in home birth, but also felt that safety in maternity care was sometimes compromised. According to the respondents in a future crisis situation it should be possible for community midwives to continue to deliver a personal handover after the referral of women to the hospital, and to stay with them.

Social-ecological filters drive the functional diversity of beetles in homegardens of campesinos and migrants in the southern Andes.

Homegardens are coupled social-ecological systems that act as biodiversity reservoirs while contributing to local food sovereignty. These systems are characterized by their structural complexity, while involving management practices according to gardener's cultural origin. Social-ecological processes in homegardens may act as filters of species' functional traits, and thus influence the species richness-functional diversity relationship of critical agroecosystem components like beetles (Coleoptera). We tested the species richness-functional diversity relationship of beetle communities and examined whether habitat structure across different levels, sociodemographic profiles, and management practices act as filters in homegardens in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot, Chile. For 100 homegardens (50 campesino and 50 migrant), we sampled beetles and habitat attributes, and surveyed gardeners' sociodemographic profiles and management practices. We recorded 85 beetle species and found a positive relationship between species richness and functional richness that saturated when functionally similar species co-occur more often than expected by chance, indicating functional redundancy in species-rich homegardens. Gardener origin (campesino/migrant), homegarden area (m2), structural complexity (index), and pest control strategy (natural, chemical, or none) were the most influential social-ecological filters that selectively remove beetle species according to their functional traits. We discuss opportunities in homegarden management for strengthening local functional diversity and resilience under social-environmental changes.

Characterizing Decisional Conflict in Patients Presenting to Sleep Surgery Clinic and an Exploration of Resource Limitations.

OBJECTIVES: Numerous therapies exist for adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), creating potential for patient decisional conflict (DC) that impacts treatment adherence and post-treatment regret. We evaluated the prevalence of elevated DC in OSA patients presenting for positive airway pressure (PAP) alternative therapies and identified gaps in available resources about OSA therapies. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed based on questionnaires completed by adult OSA patients presenting to an academic sleep surgery clinic from March to October 2020. Surveys examined sleep symptoms, sleep apnea treatment history, goals of therapy, and the SURE checklist, a validated 4-item DC screening scale. Additional qualitative data about OSA decision tool needs were queried with structured interviews in a smaller subset of patients. RESULTS: Among 100 respondents, 60 were open to multiple treatment options, whereas 22 were not interested in surgical treatment. Eighty-one respondents (81%) had elevated DC (SURE score < 4). High DC was not associated with CPAP history, OSA severity, or daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ≥ 10). Elevated DC was related to uncertainty regarding optimal treatment choice in 54% of respondents (n = 54), and lack of knowledge regarding risks and benefits of each treatment option in 71% (n = 71). Common themes identified in 9 interviewed patients suggested helpful resources should ideally compare treatment modalities and educate on surgery details, efficacy, and recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of OSA patients presenting to sleep surgery clinics have elevated decisional conflict influenced by limited knowledge about options and the risks and benefits of each therapy. There is a need for decision tools that can reduce decisional conflict and promote equitable knowledge about PAP alternative OSA treatments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2384-2390, 2021.

Classification of circadian pain rhythms and pain characteristics in chronic pain patients: An observational study.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to perform cluster analysis in patients with chronic pain to extract groups with similar circadian rhythms and compare neuropathic pain and psychological factors among these groups to identify differences in pain-related outcomes. A total of 63 community-dwellers with pain lasting at least 3 months and Numerical Rating Scale scores of ≥2 were recruited from 3 medical institutions. Their pain circadian rhythms were evaluated over 7 days by measuring pain intensity at 6-time points per day using a 10-cm visual analog scale. Cluster analysis was performed using 6 variables with standardized visual analog scale values at 6-time points for individual participants to extract groups with similar pain circadian rhythms. The results of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory and psychological evaluations in each group were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results revealed 3 clusters with different circadian rhythms of pain. The total and evoked pain subscale Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory scores differed among the 3 clusters. The results suggest that a thorough understanding of circadian pain rhythms in chronic pain patients may facilitate the performance of activities of daily living and physical exercise from the perspective of pain management.

Complementary and alternative medicine in sarcoma patients treated in an Italian sarcoma center.

BACKGROUND: Bone and soft-tissue sarcoma are rare tumors. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is often used in cancer patients however limited data are available in sarcoma patients. The aim of the present study is to explore the use of CAM in patients with bone and soft-tissue sarcoma. METHODS: Patients in follow-up visit for high grade bone or soft-tissue sarcoma at the Rizzoli outpatient clinic from September 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015, were asked, after written consent, to fill out a questionnaire with items pertaining to sociodemographic factors and their use of CAM before, during, or after chemotherapy. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-nine participated to the survey: 409 were adults and 60 were <18 years old. The percentage of use of CAM in adults was 44.7% and in minors 38.3%. The most common type of CAM was vitamins and minerals, followed by phytotherapy and homeopathy. The majority of patients used CAM after the sarcoma diagnosis. None used CAM alone instead of conventional chemotherapy. Benefits from use of CAM were reported by 75% of patients (some benefit in 53% plus high benefit in others 22%) and side effects in 6.7%. A significant correlation was found with CAM use and female gender, young age (18-44) and higher education. Disclosure to the oncologist was 56% and 69% to their family doctors. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that CAM use is frequent among adults and pediatric patients with bone and soft tissue sarcoma as in other cancer patients. Moreover, the profile of these Italian CAM consumers in sarcoma patients is similar to other studies. Patients disclosure to their oncologist or physician about the use of CAM was similar to other Italian studies, but higher compared to other international studies.

A survey on Koreans' preferred type of collaboration between conventional medical and traditional Korean medicine doctors.

ABSTRACT: Although collaborative treatment by traditional Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) and medical doctors occurs, it is mainly done by referral. As no survey of the general public's preference for the type of collaboration has ever been conducted, we aimed to investigate Koreans' preferences for a collaborative treatment type.The responders were extracted by random digit dialing and then reextracted using the proportional quota sampling method by sex and age. From July to October 2017, telephone interviews were conducted and the participant responses regarding treatment history for spinal or joint diseases, experiences with collaborative treatment, and preferred type of collaborative treatment were recorded.Of the 1008 respondents, 44.64% reported a history of treatment for spinal or joint diseases at a medical institution. The concurrent collaborative treatment system, in which both KMDs and medical doctors are present in one location participating in the treatment concurrently, was the most preferred system among the respondents. Respondents who reported experience with traditional Korean medicine hospitals were more likely to prefer a one-stop treatment approach than those who did not have experience with traditional Korean medicine hospitals (adjusted odds ratio: 1.73; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-2.68). Respondents who were familiar with collaborative treatment but did not report any personal experience with it were more likely to prefer a one-stop treatment approach than those who were not familiar with collaborative treatment (adjusted odds ratio: 1.82; 95% confidence interval: 1.37-2.44).Koreans prefer a concurrent type of collaborative treatment system by KMDs and medical doctors. Therefore, efforts and support are needed to increase the application of the concurrent type of collaborative system.

Herbal supplement usage among cancer patients: A questionnaire-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Herbal supplements (HS) are one of the most commonly used complementary and alternative medicines in cancer. Reduced therapeutic efficacy of prescription anticancer agents through unwarranted herb-drug interactions is a major efficacy/safety concern. In view of the rising cancer prevalence in India along with a high degree of reliance and cultural acceptability in favor of traditional medicine drugs, prevalence data exclusively of HS usage during cancer treatment are of considerable epidemiological significance. METHODOLOGY: This questionnaire-based prospective observational study aimed at estimating the prevalence of HS among cancer patients during treatment at our tertiary care medical center. Taken on a population of 220 patients within a period of 9 months, data were generated by a customized validated questionnaire and the same processed by IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version XXIV, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Differences between HS use and nonuse with respect to demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics were assessed by Chi-square test. For examining the latter variables as possible predictors of HS usage, they were entered into bivariate logistic regression with odds ratio and confidence intervals calculated for each. RESULTS: Out of 220 patients, 57 (26%) were HS users and 163 (74%) were nonusers. Majority of the users (42.1%) were on self-prepared folklore herbal medicine postdiagnosis of cancer (57.9%), the most common reason cited being symptom palliation (35.1%) on the advice of friends and family (64.9%). Fear of disapproval was the most common reason cited (68.4%) for not disclosing HS usage to the physician. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy and unemployment are predictors of HS usage, and there is a significant association between occupation status and HS usage. This first study on HS prevalence among South Indian population proposes the need for a more robust evidence base for understanding all aspects of HS use in cancer.

Elicitation of stakeholder viewpoints about medical cannabis research for pain management in critically ill ventilated patients: A Q-methodology study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine acceptability of medical cannabis research in critically ill patients. DESIGN: Q-methodology survey. SETTING: Convenience sample of healthcare providers and the general public were recruited at an acute care community hospital in Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: In the first phase, 63 respondents provided 197 unique viewpoints in response to a topic statement about medical cannabis use in critically ill patients. Twenty-five viewpoints were selected for the q-sample. In the second phase, 99 respondents ranked these viewpoints according to an a priori quasi normal distribution ranging from +4 (most agree) to -4 (least agree). Factor analysis was combined with comments provided by survey respondents to label and describe the extracted factors. RESULTS: The factor labels were hoping and caring (factor 1), pragmatic progress (factor 2), and cautious/conservative and protectionist (factor 3). Factor 1 describes a viewpoint of unequivocal support for medical cannabis research in this population with few caveats. Factor 2 describes a viewpoint of cautious support with a need to monitor for unintended adverse effects. Factor 3 describes a viewpoint of ensuring that current analgosedation techniques are optimized before exposing patients to another potentially harmful drug. CONCLUSIONS: Using a q-methodology design, we were able to sample and describe the viewpoints that exist about medical cannabis research in critically ill patients. Three factors emerged that seemed to adequately describe the relative ranking of q-statements by the majority of respondents. Combining the distinguishing statements along with respondent comments allowed us to determine that the majority support medical cannabis research in critically ill patients.

Vitamin K2 Awareness in Sun-Protected Patients Supplementing With Vitamin D.

Dermatologists often recommend vitamin D for sun-protected patients. Most patients are not aware of the key role vitamin K2 plays in vitamin D metabolism and do not receive sufficient dietary vitamin K2. A survey of 50 sun-protecting patients shows 4/50 understood the role of vitamin K2 and 1/50 was supplementing vitamin K2. Therefore, counseling on vitamin K2 supplementation may be of benefit to sun-protected dermatology patients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(2):228-229. doi:10.36849/JDD.5829.

Quality of life and factors affecting it in adult cancer patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy in a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is the second most common cause of deaths worldwide. Likewise, in India, it is a major health problem, and disease burden is escalating every year. Cancer chemotherapy produces unfavorable effects on the well-being of an individual. Since the past few years, quality of life (QoL) is considered as the main goal of cancer treatment in the survival of a patient. AIM: This current study aimed to assess the QoL and factors affecting it in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted to achieve the objectives, employing the consecutive sampling method. A total of 120 adult (>19 years) patients were recruited from daycare chemotherapy unit of a tertiary care hospital. The data were collected using patient record form and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire. The overall mean score of quality of life (QoL) was 61.933 ± 5.85502. The domains of functional well-being and emotional well-being were most negatively affected after cancer chemotherapy. Education (illiteracy) and occupation (unemployment) were negatively associated with overall quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients on chemotherapy. Adverse drug reactions due to cancer chemotherapy negatively affect the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients. Education (illiteracy) affects social well-being domain of cancer patients. Working in the government/private sector has a positive impact on functional well-being domain of quality of life (QoL). CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest an overall low quality of life (QoL) among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at our setup. It has been identified as a stressful therapy, also affecting both psychological and physical well-being. Poor infrastructure, illiteracy, poverty, and lack of proper treatment facilities at most centres often lead to poor survival outcomes and hence focus has always been on achieving quantity of life rather than quality of life (QoL). This is further complicated due to nonavailability of validated tools in local vernacular, apathy of the treating physicians in the context of QoL aspects and social and cultural factors that are unique to this society. Psycho-oncology needs to become an integral entity of comprehensive cancer care.

Impact of the IDEA Collaboration Study Results on Clinical Practice in France for Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: A National GERCOR - PRODIGE Survey.

BACKGROUND: The IDEA collaboration showed that the type and duration of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer (CC) could be adjusted according to the schedule of chemotherapy and the level of risk. We aimed at evaluating the implementation of IDEA's results in real-life practice for stage III CC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All clinicians registered in the French oncology cooperative groups GERCOR, FFCD, and UNICANCER GI mailing lists were invited to participate to an online anonymized nationwide survey from January 30, 2019 to March 31, 2019. Proportions were compared using the χ2 test. RESULTS: A total of 213 physicians answered the survey. Of these, 173 (81%) considered that 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy was the new standard of care for low-risk (pT1-3/N1) stage III CC, and 99% considered that 6 months remained the standard of care for high-risk (pT4 and/or pN2) stage III CC. In patients under 70 years, capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) for 3 months was prescribed by 74% of the participants in low-risk CC, whereas 6 months of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) was preferred for high-risk CC in 94% of cases. For patients over 70 years with good performance status and no comorbidities, 172 (81%) physicians prescribed oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for low-risk CC (3 months, 144 of 172%; 88%), and 200 (94%) physicians prescribed oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk CC (6 months, 199 of 200%; 99.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The IDEA results have been practice-changing as French physicians have implemented 3 months of CAPOX for patients with low-risk stage III CC, substituting from 6 months of FOLFOX, which remains the preferred regimen for high-risk patients.

The Psychometric Properties of the Relaxation/Meditation/Mindfulness (RMM) Tracker t Inventory in an Iranian Population.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of research has examined the psychometric properties of popular mindfulness inventories for different population. The present study is aimed at exploring the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Relaxation/Meditation/Mindfulness (RMM) Tracker t Inventory in Iran. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional and methodological study that conducted in Kerman, southeast Iran. Fifty, 300, and 163 Iranian adult participants were participated in the pilot, exploratory, and confirmatory phase, respectively. Face, content, and structural validities, Cronbach's alpha, and Omega coefficient were used to validate the Persian scale. RESULTS: The results showed that the "Persian version of RMM t" had acceptable content and face validities. The Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) with Promax Rotation showed that the P-RMM t has 3 scales of "Mindful Love, Thankfulness, and Transcendence," "Relaxation," and "Mindful Deepening" which further confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis. The internal consistency of all three scales was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha coefficients > 80). CONCLUSION: The Persian version of RMM Tracker t seems to be a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess the levels of mindfulness in the Iranian general population.

Research priorities and identification of a health-service delivery model for psoriasis from the UK Psoriasis Priority Setting Partnership.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis impacts the health and psychosocial functioning of patients, conferring a significant economic burden on healthcare systems. There remain unmet needs in psoriasis care, which if addressed by research, could improve clinical outcomes. AIM: To research priorities and identify a health service delivery model from the UK Psoriasis Priority Setting Partnership (PsPSP). METHODS: Between July 2017 and November 2018, we invited people with lived experience of psoriasis and healthcare professionals to (i) identify unmet needs, and (ii) prioritize the order in which these should be addressed by research. We collaborated with the Psoriasis Association and used methodology established by the James Lind Alliance, which pioneers the joint setting of research priorities by patients and clinicians worldwide. RESULTS: In our initial harvesting survey (Survey 1), 2133 questions were submitted by 805 individuals. Submissions that had not been answered by research (true uncertainties) were supplemented with evidence gaps from systematic reviews/guidelines published in the previous 5 years and refined to produce 55 indicative questions. Voting in Survey 2, by 1154 individuals, enabled a shortlist of questions, which were prioritized during the final workshop to produce a top 20 list of research questions. Submissions on health service delivery (5.8% of the total submissions), which were analysed separately, described a blueprint for psoriasis care. CONCLUSIONS: The PsPSP will inform the translational research agenda, ensuring that future research is relevant for the needs of people with psoriasis and those who manage the disease. Submissions on health service delivery describe a model of holistic, patient-focused care providing high-quality, effective management for patients with psoriasis.

Reduced Asthma Medication Use after Treatment of Pediatric Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESES: The primary objective of this study was to determine whether the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder (PVFMD) leads to decreased asthma medication use. Our secondary objective was to determine dyspnea outcomes following diagnosis and treatment for PVFMD. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed PVFMD between the ages of 11 and 17 were recruited at a single pediatric institution. A medication questionnaire and Dyspnea Index (DI) were completed at the initial visit, at the first return visit, and at greater than 6 months post-diagnosis and therapy. Laryngeal Control Therapy (LCT) consisted of teaching breathing techniques and identifying emotional, physical, and environmental contributing factors and strategies to reduce them. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were recruited to the study. There were 19/26 (73%) patients diagnosed with asthma prior to a diagnosis of PVFMD, and 26/26 (100%) patients were using an inhaler prior to the enrollment visit. Twenty-two (85%) patients completed follow-up questionnaires. Five patients participated in no therapy, seven patients in partial therapy, and 14 patients in full therapy. Significant reduction in asthma medication use was seen in the full therapy group (P < .05) and in those with exercise as their only trigger (P < .05). Furthermore, symptoms as scored by the DI decreased overall from 25.5 to 18.8 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric PVFMD leads to a decline in asthma medication use in those patients who participate in at least two LCT sessions and in those with exercise-induced PVFMD. LCT for pediatric PVFMD leads to a significant decrease in symptoms as measured by the DI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:1639-1646, 2021.