Assessing personality traits by questionnaire: psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman personality questionnaire and correlations with psychopathology and hostility.

BACKGROUND: The Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) was developed in an attempt to define the basic factors of personality or temperament. We aimed to assess the factor structure and the psychometric properties of its Greek version and to explore its relation to psychopathological symptoms and hostility features. METHODS: ZKPQ was translated into Greek using back-translation and was administered to 1,462 participants (475 healthy participants, 619 medical patients, 177 psychiatric patients and 191 opiate addicts). Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were performed. Symptoms Distress Check-List (SCL-90R) and Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire (HDHQ) were administered to test criterion validity. RESULTS: Five factors were identified, largely corresponding to the original version's respective factors. Retest reliabilities were acceptable (rli's: 0.79-0.89) and internal consistency was adequate for Neuroticism-Anxiety (0.87), Impulsive Sensation Seeking (0.80), Aggression-Hostility (0.77) and Activity (0.72), and lower for Sociability (0.64). Most components were able to discriminate psychiatric patients and opiate addicts from healthy participants. Opiate addicts exhibited higher rates on Impulsive Sensation Seeking compared to healthy participants. Neuroticism-Anxiety (p<0.001) and Impulsive Sensation Seeking (p<0.001) were significantly associated with psychological distress and Aggression-Hostility was the most powerful correlate of Total Hostility (p<0.001), and Neuroticism-Anxiety was the stronger correlate of introverted hostility (p<0.001), further supporting the instrument's concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: Present findings support the applicability of the Greek version of ZKPQ within the Greek population. Future studies could improve its psychometric properties by finding new items, especially for the Sociability scale.

[The Life Style Index: correlations with psychological distress and hostility].

The Life Style Index (LSI) was designed to assess defense mechanisms, assuming that their use is related to specific emotional states and diagnostic concepts. Aiming to further investigate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the LSI, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of specific defense mechanisms with dimensions of psychological distress and hostility features in three different populations. The sample comprised 1261 adults (410 healthy participants, 723 medical patients and 128 psychiatric patients). Along with defense mechanisms (LSI), Psychological Distress (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-28) and Hostility features (Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire, HDHQ) were also assessed. The results showed that increased psychological distress is related with increased use of all defenses except Denial, with which psychological distress is negatively associated. Regression is constantly related with psychological distress and differentiates psychiatric patients from the other groups of participants, while Compensation and Reaction Formation are related to depressive symptomatology. In medical patients, Repression was found to increase the physical dimension of psychological distress and the social dysfunction. On the contrary,Denial was negatively associated with these dimensions of psychological distress. In the psychiatric patient and healthy participant samples, Projection plays the most detrimental role. Regarding hostility and direction of hostility, those who were found to introvert their hostility presented with higher scores in Denial, indicating that they possibly 'deny' their hostility, and the degree of the Denial was found to be negatively associated with the degree of Introverted Hostility. Those who directed their hostility towards the others, presented with higher rates of Projection, while neither Denial nor Reaction Formation seemed sufficient enough to temper the degree of Extroverted Hostility. In conclusion,the present results strengthen further the validity of the Greek version of the LSI and provide additional evidence about the relation of defence mechanisms with dimensions of psychological distress and the direction of hostility in different populations, indicating that the empirical assessment of defense mechanisms can contribute significantly in the study of the factors that mediate or moderate the course or the outcome of medical or psychiatric disorders.

Undergraduate nursing students' views on Oncology. A case study in Greece.

PURPOSE: To investigate the views of undergraduate nursing students at the Patras Higher Technological Education Institution (HTEI), Greece, on the subject of Nursing Oncology, as well as their attitudes towards cancer. METHODS: In total, 105 students of the last year participated in the study. All participants were anonymously administered a specifically designed questionnaire including various educational and practical training aspects. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed inadequacies in Oncology education and highlighted the need for improving preclinical training and developing students' skills with regard to patients' care and the management of various psychological and ethical issues. Furthermore, suggestions were made for increasing Oncology teaching staff, cooperation among subject specialists, increasing the hours devoted to Nursing Oncology, enhancing the basic and clinical courses, and introducing new subjects in the undergraduate curriculum. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a well-organized Nursing Oncology education at the Nursing School of Patras HTEl should combine the theoretical background with practical training so as to prevent fragmentation of Oncology as an independent subject and its incorporation into other disciplines.

Effect of epoetin alpha therapy on cognitive function in anaemic patients with solid tumours undergoing chemotherapy.

The primary aim of this study was to assess whether epoetin alpha (Ea) would improve cognitive performance in a group of anaemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The secondary aim was to confirm the positive impact of Ea on haematological parameters, and quality of life (QOL). Fifty patients with solid tumours and haemoglobin (Hb) <11.0 g/dL received Ea 40,000 units once weekly for 12 weeks and were administered the Mini-Mental State Examination and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (QLQ-C30) questionnaire prior to Ea therapy and at study completion. No clinically significant alterations were observed on cognitive function during Ea treatment. Changes in cognitive function were unrelated to Hb change and there were no significant differences in cognitive performance between Ea responders and non-responders. The analyses revealed clinically significant improvements in Hb levels, physical and role function, and clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue. Hb changes were significantly associated with the magnitude of improvement in QOL parameters. The lack of a clinical benefit in cognition observed in this study during Ea treatment may redirect the focus of research from enhancing to maintaining cognitive function, since stability in cognitive performance through time may be as well clinically important.

Emotional distress in cancer patients at the beginning of chemotherapy and its relation to quality of life.

PURPOSE: The present study sought to determine the prevalence of emotional distress and evaluate demographic and clinical factors related to anxiety and depression in treatment-naïve cancer patients at the beginning of chemotherapy. Another objective was to explore the associations between emotional distress and quality of life (QoL), an endpoint of great importance in current cancer care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult outpatients with a variety of cancer diagnoses were administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQC30) questionnaire prior to the initiation of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 265 patients took part in the study. A sizeable minority of our patients reported intense levels of anxiety (27.2%) and depression (19.6%). Patients without a partner, females, and patients with advanced disease or lower physician-rated performance status (PS) were more likely to experience clinically significant emotional distress. Levels of anxiety and mainly depression were negatively related to all QoL domains. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a significant proportion of Greek cancer patients experience intense anxiety and depression prior to chemotherapy, and confirm the adverse impact of psychological morbidity on patients' QoL. Standardized and timely screening of emotional distress across all phases of cancer will help to effectively identify patients whose symptoms warrant attention. Future studies should continue to develop and evaluate rapid measures for detecting significant emotional distress in cancer patients, and to devise appropriate interventions to treat distress and enhance patients' QoL.

Phase II study of irinotecan plus leucovorin and bolus 5-fluorouracil as first- or second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric or esophageal-gastric junction adenocarcinoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and safety of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) and irinotecan as first- or second-line treatment in patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Treatment consisted of irinotecan 80 mg/m(2) intravenously (i.v.), followed by LV 200 mg/m(2) (i.v.) and 5-FU 450 mg/m(2) as an i.v. bolus, administered weekly for 6 weeks, followed by a 2-week rest period. Thirty-one patients (23 chemo-naïve, 8 chemo-exposed) were enrolled. The overall response rate was 22.6% and the disease control rate was 38.7%. Among the patients who received the regimen as first-line treatment, objective response rate was 30.4% and the disease control rate was 52.1%. However, progression of the disease was recorded in all the patients receiving the combination as second-line chemotherapy. The median time to disease progression (TTP) was 4 months and the median duration of survival was 7 months. The median TTP was 6 months for patients treated with first-line chemotherapy and 2.5 for those who received study treatment as second line. Furthermore, the median survival duration was 8 months and 6 months, respectively. The most frequent grade 3 toxicity was febrile neutropenia. Grade 3 non-hematological toxicities were rare. There were no treatment-related deaths. The combination of 5-FU/LV and irinotecan as first-line treatment was found to be well tolerated and effective in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Further investigation would be worthwhile, particularly in elderly or debilitated patients who cannot tolerate aggressive chemotherapy.

Efficacy of oxcarbazepine for prophylaxis against cumulative oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.

We conducted a randomized, open-label, controlled trial to assess the efficacy of oxcarbazepine for prophylaxis against oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OxIN). Thirty-two patients with colon cancer received 12 courses of the FOLFOX-4 regimen and were randomly assigned to receive oxcarbazepine (600 mg BID) or chemotherapy without oxcarbazepine. The incidence of OxIN was strikingly decreased in patients receiving oxcarbazepine (31.2% vs 75%). Oxcarbazepine may prevent OxIN symptoms. Further larger placebo-controlled trials are warranted to confirm our results.

Impact of providing booklets about chemotherapy to newly presenting patients with cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There has been limited research examining the efficacy of providing written information to cancer patients in southern and eastern European countries. This study investigated the impact of a booklet about chemotherapy on patient satisfaction, quality of life (QoL) and emotional distress, and assessed booklet use. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 145 Greek cancer outpatients prior to commencing chemotherapy completed a questionnaire and were randomized to receive (n = 72) or not receive (n = 73) the booklet. All patients completed the second questionnaire before the following cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. Experimental group patients reported being significantly more satisfied with the information received and care overall than those in the control group, felt significantly more and better informed, and perceived the information received as being clearer and detailed. The intervention produced no benefits in terms of anxiety, depression or QoL. The booklet was read by almost all patients and to a great extent by significant others. The majority considered the booklet useful to read and helpful in recalling chemotherapy-related information. CONCLUSIONS: The current results provide further evidence on the efficacy of information-giving interventions in societies where disclosure of information to cancer patients still remains controversial.

The impact of paclitaxel or cisplatin-based chemotherapy on sympathetic skin response: a prospective study.

The current study aimed to assess the viability of sympathetic sudomotor fibers in cancer patients treated with cisplatin or paclitaxel-based chemotherapy and to ascertain whether this method could contribute to the diagnostic sensitivity of conventional techniques. Sympathetic skin response (SSR) from the hand and sole of 23 cancer patients (nine females and 14 males, mean age 62.4 +/- 10.5 years) was recorded unilaterally before and after chemotherapy with six courses of cumulative cisplatin or paclitaxel containing regimens. Clinical and electrophysiological data were also collected and correlated with the SSR results. Twenty-three healthy subjects served as controls. SSR abnormalities were only present in patients with evidence of peripheral neuropathy assessed by conventional nerve conduction techniques. Three patients had absent SSR in the upper limb whilst six patients had absent SSR both in the upper and lower limbs. In the upper limb, the mean SSR latency was not significantly altered through time (P = 0.086). In the lower limb the mean delay from baseline to follow-up was significantly changed (P = 0.029). In patients, the mean SSR latency was significantly prolonged compared with controls in both upper limb (P = 0.001) and lower limb (P = 0.000). SSR abnormalities were strongly related to sensory conduction abnormalities as detected by conventional techniques (r = 0.39, P = 0.004). Our results showed that SSR does not seem to add to the diagnostic sensitivity of conventional techniques in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. However, its role in the disclosure of small fibers neuropathy abnormalities is worth considering. Further studies are warranted to address this important issue.

Vitamin E for prophylaxis against chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a pilot, randomized, open label with blind assessment, controlled trial to determine whether vitamin E supplementation has a neuroprotective effect in chemotherapy-induced peripheral nerve damage. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with cancer treated with six courses of cumulative cisplatin, paclitaxel, or their combination regimens were randomly assigned in two groups and followed by neurologic examination and electrophysiologic study. Patients assigned in Group I (n = 16) received oral vitamin E at a daily dose of 600 mg/day during chemotherapy and 3 months after its cessation were compared to patients of Group II (n = 15), who received no supplementation and served as controls. The severity of neurotoxicity was summarized by means of a modified peripheral neuropathy score. RESULTS: The incidence of neurotoxicity differed between the two groups, occurring in 4/16 (25%) patients assigned in the vitamin E supplementation group and in 11/15 (73.3%) patients assigned in the control group (p = 0.019). Mean peripheral neuropathy scores were 3.4 +/- 6.3 for patients of Group I and 11.5 +/- 10.6 for patients of Group II (p = 0.026). The relative risk (RR) of developing neurotoxicity was significantly higher in case of control patients, RR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.84. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E supplementation in cancer patients may have an important neuroprotective effect.

Non-invasive predictors of the presence of large oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The usual clinical practice is to screen all patients with established cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis by upper endoscopy for the presence of varices. Patients with large varices should be treated with non-selective beta blockers to reduce the incidence of first variceal bleeding. However, fewer than 50% of cirrhotic patients have varices at screening endoscopy and most have small sized varices, with a low risk of bleeding. The aim of the present study was to determine whether clinical or laboratory non-endoscopic parameters could predict the presence of large oesophageal varices. PATIENTS/METHODS: Seventeen variables considered relevant to the prevalence of oesophageal varices were tested in 184 patients with cirrhosis, who underwent screening endoscopy. Small varices were regarded as those which flatten with insufflation or slightly protrude into the lumen, while large varices are those which protrude into the lumen or touch each other. None of the patients was on beta blockers or other vasoactive drugs or had a history of variceal bleeding. RESULTS: Oesophageal varices were present in 92 patients (50%), and large varices in 33 patients (17.9%). Variables associated with the presence of large oesophageal varices on univariate analysis were the presence of ascites and splenomegaly either by clinical examination or by ultrasound (p < 0.01), the presence of spiders (p = 0.02), platelet count (p < 0.0001), and bilirubin (p = 0.01). Factors independently associated with the presence of large oesophageal varices on multivariate analysis were platelet count, size of spleen and presence of ascites by ultrasound. Using mean values as cut-off points, it is noteworthy that only five out of 39 patients (12.8%) with platelets > or = 18(x 10(9)/l), spleen length < or = 135 mm and no ascites had varices. Moreover, all these patients had small sized varices. On the other hand, 15 out of 18 patients (83.3%) with a platelet count < 118 x 10(9)/l, spleen length > 135 mm and ascites had varices. Moreover, five out of those 18 patients had large varices (28.3%). CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly and ascites are independent predictors of large oesophageal varices in cirrhotic patients. We suggest that endoscopy could be avoided safely in cirrhotic patients with none of these predictive factors, as large varices are absent in this group of patients.

Impact of cancer on primary caregivers of patients receiving radiation therapy.

The main objective of this study was to assess the consequences of caregiving on primary caregivers of Greek cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Sixty-five caregivers participated in the study and data were collected through structured interviews. Our results pointed to a lack of association concerning extent of patients' disease, treatment schedule, performance status or awareness of diagnosis. However, female caregivers with low qualifications, partners, and those living with the patient were more likely to report heightened symptoms of anxiety and depression, severe impact of caregiving on their lives, poor health and low quality of life. In addition, it was shown through multivariate analyses that psychological distress was the sole predictor of overall health and global quality of life. In conclusion, Greek caregivers are to a great extent affected by the disease. Caring for significant others is essential to promoting quality of life for the family and the patient.

The informational needs, satisfaction with communication, and psychological status of primary caregivers of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

The first objective of the study was to identify the specific informational needs of primary caregivers of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in a Greek outpatient setting and to assess their preference for cancer-specific booklets, their levels of satisfaction with communication and their psychological status. The second objective was to examine whether their need for information was associated with their preference for written information, level of satisfaction, and levels of psychological distress. The final objective was to search for possible associations between satisfaction and psychological distress. Seventy-eight caregivers participated in the study and data were collected by structured individual interviews. The main findings to emerge were that a significant proportion of the caregivers had elevated needs for information, which were positively associated with a preference for cancer-specific printed material and negatively associated with satisfaction with the doctor's communication of information and affective behavior. Participants experienced heightened levels of anxiety and depression, which were independent of the need for information, preference for printed material or satisfaction with communication. The results suggest that the Greek cancer caregiver needs more factual information relevant to the patient's condition and that communication of information is critical if he or she is to be satisfied. The Greek oncologist should therefore not only try to detect the informational needs, but should also be qualified to meet them in the best possible way. In addition, the rates of anxiety and depression observed highlight the need for a more thorough evaluation and management of caregivers' psychological morbidity in the Greek oncology setting.

Transdermal fentanyl in cancer patients with moderate-to-severe pain: a prospective examination.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] The aim of the study was to evaluate prospectively the analgesic efficacy, toxicity and acceptability of the transdermal fentanyl therapeutic system (TTS-F) in Greek cancer patients with moderate-to-severe pain. METHODS: Forty-eight patients participated in the study: 34 were men and 14 women, mean age was 63, and all but 2 had advanced stage (IV) cancer. Patients received TTS-F for a period of 8 weeks. Doses ranged from 25 to 225 micrograms/h. Thirty-three patients completed the study. RESULTS: Data indicated statistically significant lower pain scores on both NRS and EORTC QLQ-C30 at all follow-ups compared to baseline. In addition, the vast majority of the patients found the transdermal system easy to use and reported as being satisfied or highly satisfied with it. The only observed side-effect was vomiting. CONCLUSION: In summary, transdermal fentanyl appeared an acceptable, safe and effective method of managing chronic pain induced by malignancies.