Article
Oncology
Aasha Hoogland, Heather S. L. Jim, Brian D. Gonzalez, Brent J. Small, Danielle Gilvary, Elizabeth C. Breen, Julienne E. Bower, Mayer Fishman, Babu Zachariah, Paul B. Jacobsen
Summary: Increases in fatigue, depressive symptomatology, and cognitive impairment are common in prostate cancer patients after receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) may play a role in fatigue related to ADT, suggesting a need for further research on interventions to reduce inflammation and improve fatigue in this population.
Article
Oncology
Britney M. Veal, Stacey B. Scott, Heather S. L. Jim, Brent J. Small
Summary: Subjective reports of cancer-related cognitive impairment often exceed objective findings from in-person neuropsychological assessments. This study examined the association between subjective cognition and real-time objective cognitive performance, as well as fatigue and depressed mood, in breast cancer survivors. The results showed that subjective cognition was consistently related to self-reported fatigue and depressed mood, while specific memory lapses were associated with both in-person and daily objective cognitive performance. Incorporating reports of memory lapses may help identify individuals with objectively measured cancer-related cognitive impairment.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Solveigh P. Lingens, Mariet Hagedoorn, Lei Zhu, Adelita Ranchor, Marije van der Lee, Bert Garssen, Maya J. Schroevers, Robbert Sanderman, Martine M. Goedendorp
Summary: This study found three different fatigue trajectories among cancer patients receiving psycho-oncological care: high-level (30%), moderate-level (62%), and low-level (8%) fatigue. Although fatigue showed significant decreases, these decreases were not clinically relevant. Additionally, fatigue trajectories had main effects on depression, anxiety, personal control, and illness cognitions over time. Fatigue severity and physical symptoms at baseline predicted fatigue severity at nine months.
PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
C. Granier, A. Gey, S. Roncelin, L. Weiss, E. Paillaud, E. Tartour
Summary: As we age, our immune system undergoes remodeling, resulting in more differentiated T cells and decreased levels of naive T cells. The immune system of older individuals appears to be more efficient at baseline, but less effective after stimulation compared to younger individuals.
BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Gerontology
Jessica Resor, Steph Cooke, Benjamin Katz
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between technology-mediated communication and depression as well as cognition among older adults. The findings showed that phone and email communication were significantly related to depression and cognition, while social media communication was not. The study also found that moderate levels of communication via phone and email were most closely linked with higher scores on fluid reasoning. Implications for older adults' social support in relation to depression and cognition were discussed.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Mrudhula Komanduri, Karen Savage, Ana Lea, Grace McPhee, Karen Nolidin, Saurenne Deleuil, Con Stough, Shakuntla Gondalia
Summary: This study examined the relationship between the gut microbiome and cognition. The results showed that specific bacterial families were associated with different cognitive domains, such as episodic secondary memory, working memory, and concentration.
Article
Oncology
Patricia N. E. Roberson, Gina Cortez, Teri Freeman, Jillian Lloyd, Jordan Tasman, Sarah B. Woods
Summary: The quality of relationships between breast cancer patients and their caregivers before treatment is directly related to their psychophysiological reactions, highlighting the importance of early interventions.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Silvana Parisi, Sara Lillo, Alberto Cacciola, Gianluca Ferini, Vito Valenti, Anna Viola, Anna Santacaterina, Angelo Platania, Anna Brogna, Consuelo Tamburella, Stefano Pergolizzi
Summary: Older cancer patients with comorbidities are frail, but radiotherapy can be a beneficial and effective treatment approach for them, ensuring patient compliance and minimal local toxicity.
Review
Psychiatry
Ainsley Ryan Yan Bin Lee, Ivan Leong, Grace Lau, Amanda Weiling Tan, Roger Chun Man Ho, Cyrus Su Hui Ho, Matthew Zhixuan Chen
Summary: This systematic review examined the risk factors of depression and anxiety in older adults with cancer. Thirty-three cohort studies were included, with 31 evaluating depression and seven evaluating anxiety. The results showed various factors in different domains that can either protect against or exacerbate depression and anxiety in this population. Understanding these factors can help policymakers tailor interventions to manage psychological distress in older adults with cancer.
GENERAL HOSPITAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Claire C. Meunier, Ellen Smit, Annette L. Fitzpatrick, Michelle C. Odden
Summary: This study demonstrated an independent association between balance and cognition in older adults, with those aged over 76 and having poor balance showing a faster rate of cognitive decline. Participants with worse balance had a higher risk of cognitive impairment over the 6-year follow-up period.
Article
Immunology
Nadine R. Deutsch, Hans Worthmann, Agnes A. Steixner-Kumar, Ramona Schuppner, Gerrit M. Grosse, Hong Pan, Maria M. Gabriel, Isabel Hasse, Till van Gemmeren, Ralf Lichtinghagen, Hannelore Ehrenreich, Karin Weissenborn
Summary: This study found that in patients with acute ischemic stroke, those who were chronically exposed to NMDAR1-AB showed worse neuropsychiatric symptoms years after stroke, including cognitive dysfunction and fatigue. Targeted immunosuppression may be a potential prophylactic option for such patients.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Shannen R. van der Kruk, Kate M. Gunn, Ilse Mesters, Brigid M. Lynch, Jeff K. Vallance, Terry Boyle
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal associations between demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors, and changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer survivors 6-9 years post-diagnosis in Western Australia. The results showed that a notable proportion of participants reported a negative minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in fatigue, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Non-Caucasian individuals and those who had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were associated with negative changes over time, while being obese and having received radiotherapy were related to improved outcomes.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shuo Qin, Ruth L. F. Leong, Ju Lynn Ong, Michael W. L. Chee
Summary: This meta-analysis examined associations between objectively measured sleep parameters and cognitive performance in healthy older adults. It found that both sleep macrostructure and microstructure were related to cognitive function. The relationship between sleep and cognition was moderated by age, education, and percentage of female participants. This study highlights the importance of objective sleep measures in understanding the relationship between sleep and cognition in healthy older adults.
SLEEP MEDICINE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Ingeborg Beate Lidal, Kerstin Lundberg Larsen
Summary: The study revealed a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and fatigue symptoms among individuals with spina bifida. These symptoms were more common in middle-aged and older patients, and more severe compared to those with chronic spinal cord injury and the general population.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Pedro Perez-Segura, Santos Enrech Frances, Ignacio Juez Martel, Maria Angeles Perez Escutia, Elena Hernandez Agudo, Leticia Leon, Guido Corradi, Helena Olivera Perez-Frade, Francisco Sanchez Escamilla, Marta Baselga Lopez, Jose Luis Baquero, Marta Redondo Delgado
Summary: The study aimed to develop and validate a tool (ADAF) to screen for anxiety and depression, and assess coping in cancer patients. Results showed that ADAF screening has adequate reliability, sensitivity and specificity. This tool can be easily applied to identify emotional and coping problems in cancer patients.
Review
Oncology
Kristen R. Haase, Schroder Sattar, Sophie Pilleron, Yentl Lambrechts, Michelle Hannan, Erna Navarrete, Kavita Kantilal, Lorelei Newton, Kumud Kantilal, Rana Jin, Hanneke van der Wal-Huisman, Fay J. Strohschein, Mackenzi Pergolotti, Kevin B. Read, Cindy Kenis, Martine Puts
Summary: Ageism towards older adults with cancer is a significant issue in oncology, which affects treatment decisions and health outcomes. This review aims to synthesize the literature on ageism in oncology and identify interventions to address it. Results showed that while concerns about ageism in cancer care are well-documented, there is a lack of interventions specifically designed for oncology settings.
JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
David Lampe, John Grosser, Daniel Gensorowsky, Julian Witte, Christiane Muth, Marjan van den Akker, Truc Sophia Dinh, Wolfgang Greiner
Summary: Polypharmacy and medication appropriateness-related outcomes (MARO) are global public health concerns. Continuity of care (COC) is essential for high-quality care, but its relationship with polypharmacy/MARO has not been systematically explored.
Article
Virology
Beatrice E. Bachmeier, Salome Hoelzle, Mohamed Gasser, Marjan van den Akker
Summary: This study aimed to describe how German general practitioners (GPs) manage patients with ongoing complaints after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most commonly described symptoms were ongoing fatigue, dyspnea, chest tightness, and a decrease in physical capacity. There is a lack of comprehensive guidelines for diagnosing and treating Long-/Post-COVID, and current treatments focus on symptom relief with both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
Article
Oncology
Victoria Depoorter, Katrijn Vanschoenbeek, Lore Decoster, Harlinde De Schutter, Philip R. Debruyne, Inge De Groof, Dominique Bron, Frank Cornelis, Sylvie Luce, Christian Focan, Vincent Verschaeve, Gwenaelle Debugne, Christine Langenaeken, Heidi Van Den Bulck, Jean-Charles Goeminne, Wesley Teurfs, Guy Jerusalem, Dirk Schrijvers, Benedicte Petit, Marika Rasschaert, Jean-Philippe Praet, Katherine Vandenborre, Koen Milisen, Johan Flamaing, Cindy Kenis, Freija Verdoodt, Hans Wildiers
Summary: Geriatric screening and assessment have proven their benefits in the care for older cancer patients, but their predictive value for outcomes is less known. In this study, clinical data on geriatric screening and assessment were linked with population-based data to investigate their predictive value. The results showed that linking clinical and population-based databases for older cancer patients is feasible, and the G8 geriatric screening tool has prognostic value for overall survival.
JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Toon Peeters, Bert Houben, Peter Cools, Yati Thys, Valentino D'Onofrio, Sandrina Martens, Martin Jaeger, Marije Doppenberg-Oosting, Mihai G. Netea, Inge C. Gyssens
Summary: This study aimed to identify environmental risk factors influencing the development and severity of acute appendicitis. Fifteen risk factors and seven independent risk factors were identified through comparison and logistic regression analysis. Findings on vegetable consumption, smoking, and level of education were replicated in a different population. Male gender, higher age, and delayed diagnosis were independent risk factors for complicated appendicitis. Further research on these factors is needed.
Article
Primary Health Care
Michael Tran, Susan Wearne, Alison Fielding, Dominica Moad, Amanda Tapley, Elizabeth Holliday, Jean Ball, Andrew Davey, Mieke van Driel, Kristen FitzGerald, Neil Spike, Michael Bentley, Catherine Kirby, Parker Magin
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of Australian early-career general practitioners regarding the utility of their prior vocational training in preparing them for independent specialist practice. The findings showed that in-practice teaching was perceived as more useful for certain components of independent practice, while there was no significant difference for others. These results highlight the importance of recognizing the different educational components in a blended education and training structure.
EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY CARE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sandra Salm, Jochen Rutz, Marjan van den Akker, Roman A. Blaheta, Beatrice E. Bachmeier
Summary: Herbal medicines are popular among patients due to their low side effects, but they are not widely recognized in clinical settings. This review article examines the clinical benefits of herbal medicines in the treatment of psychosomatic disorders, gynecological complaints, gastrointestinal disorders, urinary tract infections, and upper respiratory tract infections. Although herbal medicines show positive outcomes in treating psychosomatic disorders, gynecological complaints, and upper respiratory tract infections, their clinical efficacy for urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal disorders is uncertain due to a lack of high-quality studies. Improving scientific evidence and integrating herbal medicines into treatment guidelines are necessary for future therapeutic applications.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Victoria Depoorter, Katrijn Vanschoenbeek, Lore Decoster, Geert Silversmit, Philip R. Debruyne, Inge De Groof, Dominique Bron, Frank Cornelis, Sylvie Luce, Christian Focan, Vincent Verschaeve, Gwenaelle Debugne, Christine Langenaeken, Heidi Van Den Bulck, Jean-Charles Goeminne, Wesley Teurfs, Guy Jerusalem, Dirk Schrijvers, Benedicte Petit, Marika Rasschaert, Jean-Philippe Praet, Katherine Vandenborre, Harlinde De Schutter, Koen Milisen, Johan Flamaing, Cindy Kenis, Freija Verdoodt, Hans Wildiers
Summary: This study aimed to describe end-of-life care and factors associated with palliative care in older patients with cancer in Belgium. The study found that older patients had frequent hospital admissions and emergency department visits before death, with more than half dying in the hospital. Patients with limitations in function and cognition at cancer diagnosis received less palliative care. These findings highlight the need for optimizing healthcare utilization and equal access to palliative care in older cancer patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Irena Patsan, Amanda Tapley, Peter Davoren, Alison Fielding, Elizabeth Holliday, Jean Ball, Andrew Davey, Mieke van Driel, Rachel Turner, Katie Mulquiney, Neil Spike, Kristen FitzGerald, Parker Magin
Summary: This study aimed to describe the temporal trends and associations of Australian general practitioner registrars' prescription and initiation of "new" second-line oral agents compared to sulphonylureas. The results showed a significant increase in the prescription and initiation of "new" medications compared to sulphonylureas over time, with less prescribing for non-English-speaking patients and regional variation.
Article
Primary Health Care
Katie Fisher, Amanda Tapley, Anna Ralston, Andrew Davey, Alison Fielding, Mieke van Driel, Elizabeth Holliday, Jean Ball, Jason Dizon, Neil Spike, Lisa Clarke, Parker Magin
Summary: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associations of telehealth consultations versus face-to-face consultations among Australian GP registrars. The results showed that telehealth consultations were shorter, had higher rates of follow-up, were less likely to involve in-consultation supervisor support, but more likely to generate learning goals. This has implications for GP workforce/workload and training.
Article
Oncology
Laura Tack, Ann-Sophie Maenhoudt, Lore Ketelaars, Jolien De Zutter, Stefanie Pinson, Laura Keunebrock, Lorenz Haaker, Kathleen Deckmyn, Mathilde Gheysen, Cindy Kenis, Hans Wildiers, Laurence Depoorter, Pieter-Jan Geerts, Rebecca Chandler, Tom Boterberg, Patricia Schofield, Christopher N. N. Parris, Philip R. R. Debruyne
Summary: This pilot study tested the diagnostic performance of two screening tools and their short versions in older cancer patients. The results demonstrated that the PHQ-2 tool had the highest sensitivity and specificity in detecting depressive symptoms, with an AUROC of 92.7%. The AUROC for PHQ-9 was 90.2%, while for GDS-15 and GDS-4, it was only 56.2% and 62.0% respectively. The study highlights the potential benefit of using a shorter screening tool, PHQ-2, to identify older cancer patients who would benefit from a more in-depth emotional evaluation.
Article
Primary Health Care
Sandipana Pati, Marjan van den Akker, F. Francois G. Schellevis, Krushna Chandra Sahoo, Jako S. Burgers
Summary: Assessing the preparedness of primary care facilities in managing diabetes patients with comorbidities and understanding the perspectives of these patients on the care received is important. The study found that while there were provisions for managing diabetes and common comorbidities, there were gaps in addressing chronic kidney illness, cardiovascular disease, mental health, and cancer. Diabetes patients expressed the need for continuity of care and emphasized the importance of accessibility, availability of free medicines, and basic laboratory tests at the primary care facilities.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Parker Magin, Anthony Paulson, Christopher O'Brien, Irena Patsan, Alison Fielding, Mieke van Driel, Linda Klein
Summary: This study aimed to explore the experiences of DPMAMS graduates and the effects on their work practice and career. The findings indicate that DPMAMS is a highly valuable and relevant education/training program that empowers individuals with culture, values, and peer support, which can be applicable in wider settings.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PRIMARY HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Truc Sophia Dinh, Robin Brunn, Christine Schwarz, Maria-Sophie Brueckle, Mirjam Dieckelmann, Ana I. Gonzalez Gonzalez, Marjan van den Akker
Summary: To provide optimal medical care for multimorbid middle-aged persons, it is important to understand the challenges and recommendations from both patients and healthcare providers. Barriers and facilitators in managing multiple chronic conditions should be explored to improve care, with an emphasis on patient-centeredness and interprofessional cooperation. The results of this qualitative study highlight the need for system-level changes and a care coordinator to reduce complexity in healthcare scenarios for middle-aged individuals living with multimorbidity.
Article
Primary Health Care
Kathleen Wild, Amanda Tapley, Alison Fielding, Elizabeth Holliday, Jean Ball, Graeme Horton, Grant Blashki, Andrew Davey, Mieke van Driel, Alexandria Turner, Kristen FitzGerald, Neil Spike, Parker Magin
Summary: This study examined the perceptions of Australian GP registrars on climate change and its relation to public health, education, and workplaces. The results showed that a significant percentage of registrars recognized the future health effects of climate change on their patients and supported integrating climate health impacts into their education program. They also believed that GPs should take a leadership role in promoting environmentally sustainable practices.
