Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire Research Articles

Symptoms in the general Norwegian adult population - prevalence and associated factors

BackgroundPatients´ own perceptions and evaluations of symptoms, functioning and other health-related factors, i.e. Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs), are important elements for providing good patient care. Symptoms are subjective and best elicited by the patient orally or by using PRO measures (PROMs), be it on paper, or as electronic assessment tools. Reference values on frequently used PROMs facilitate the interpretation of scores for use in clinics and research settings, by comparing patient data with relevant samples from the general population. Study objectives were to (1) present reference values for the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) (2) examine the occurrence and intensity of symptoms assessed by the MDASI in a general Norwegian adult population sample, and (3) examine factors associated with higher symptom burden defined as the sum score of all symptoms, and factors associated with symptoms` interference on functions.MethodsIn 2015, MDASI was sent by mail as part of a larger survey, to a representative sample of the general Norwegian adult population (N = 6165). Medical comorbidities were assessed by the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire. Depression was self-reported on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). Linear multivariable regression analysis was used to examine for factors associated with MDASI sum score and factors associated with symptoms’ interference on functions.ResultsThe response rate was 36%. More women (54%) than men (46%) responded. Mean age was 55 years (SD 14). The most frequent symptoms were fatigue (59.7%), drowsiness (56.2%) and pain (56.1%). Fatigue, pain and disturbed sleep had the highest mean scores. The presence of one or more comorbidities, increasing PHQ-9 score and lower level of education were associated with higher MDASI sum score (p < 0.001). The MDASI sum score and the PHQ-9 score were positively associated with all interference items (p < 0.001) except for walking (p = 0.22).ConclusionThis study provides the first Norwegian reference values for MDASI. The presence of one or more comorbidities, higher level of depressive symptoms and lower level of education were significantly associated with higher MDASI sum score. These covariates must be controlled for when using the reference values.

Patient-Reported Morbidity Instruments: A Systematic Review.

Although comorbidities play an essential role in risk adjustment and outcomes measurement, there is little consensus regarding the best source of this data. The aim of this study was to identify general patient-reported morbidity instruments and their measurement properties. A systematic review was conducted using multiple electronic databases (Embase, Medline, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science) from inception to March 2018. Articles focusing primarily on the development or subsequent validation of a patient-reported morbidity instrument were included. After including relevant articles, the measurement properties of each morbidity instrument were extracted by 2 investigators for narrative synthesis. A total of 1005 articles were screened, of which 34 eligible articles were ultimately included. The most widely assessed instruments were the Self-Reported Charlson Comorbidity Index (n= 7), the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (n= 3), and the Disease Burden Morbidity Assessment (n= 3). The most commonly included conditions were diabetes, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. Studies demonstrated substantial variability in item-level reliability versus the gold standard medical record review (κ range 0.66-0.86), meaning that the accuracy of the self-reported comorbidity data is dependent on the selected morbidity. The Self-Reported Charlson Comorbidity Index and the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire were the most frequently cited instruments. Significant variability was observed in reliability per comorbid condition of patient-reported morbidity questionnaires. Further research is needed to determine whether patient-reported morbidity data should be used to bolster medical records data or serve as a stand-alone entity when risk adjusting observational outcomes data.

Prevalence and overlap of somatic symptom disorder, bodily distress syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome in the German general population: A cross sectional study

ObjectiveTo study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and their overlap in the general German population. MethodsA cross-sectional nationally representative population survey was performed. 2531 participants (mean age 48.8 ± 17.85 years, 53.3% women) completed the Somatic Symptom Scale SSS-8, the Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) 25 checklist, the Whiteley Index 7 (WI-7), the self-administered comorbidity questionnaire and the Michigan Body Map. Case definitions of SSD, BDS and FMS were assigned using established criteria. Results4.5% of participants met the criteria of SSD (SSS – 8 at least one item “bothered very much” and WI- 7 total score ≥ 1). 9.6% met the criteria of single-organ BDS and 1.3% of multi-organ BDS. Prevalence of FMS according to 2016 criteria was 3.4%. 82.3% of FMS cases met any BDS criteria.28.1% of FMS cases satisfied SSD criteria. 28.8% of any BDS cases met the criteria of SSD. 75.1% of SSD cases met the criteria of any BDS. FMS cases reported the highest amount of somatic and psychological symptom burden and health anxieties. There were no differences in age and gender between any BDS and SSD cases. SSD cases reported worse general health and more fibromyalgia-related variables than any BDS cases. ConclusionsIn the general population, there is a substantial overlap between FMS and BDS, but not of FMS and SSD, and not of SSD and any BDS. Case definitions of the three disorders partially captured different groups in the general population.

Development of the French-Canadian Version of the Self-Administered Comorbidities Questionnaire (SCQ) in a hospital population undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty

The Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ) is a tool used by hospitalized patients to self-report their comorbidities. It can help to explain the effectiveness of hip or knee arthroplasty, its complications, the length of hospital stay and perioperative resource utilization. HypothesisThe French-Canadian version of the SCQ will be suitable for use in a Canadian hospital population. Objectives(1) translate and evaluate the transcultural validity of the SCQ in a French Canadian population undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty; (2) determine the standard error of measurement (SEM) in the French Canadian version. Materials and MethodsThe translation and transcultural adaptation process consisted of four steps: (1) initial translation; (2) back translation; (3) assessment of questionnaire clarity with patients; (4) assessment of the translation's transcultural validity. The SEM was also calculated. ResultsTwenty participants were recruited for step 3 and 83 participants for step 4. The original English version of the SCQ and the translated French-Canadian version (SCQ-FC) were similar with intra-class correlation coefficients for the intra-language and inter-language agreement between 0.71 and 0.97. The SEM was 1.92. ConclusionThe SCQ-FC is comparable to the original English language version. Using this questionnaire allows us to document the comorbidities present in patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty in a French-Canadian population, and the impact of these comorbidities on the patients’ health. Level of evidenceV, Prospective study.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF ORTHOPEDIC SCALES FOR LOW BACK PAIN

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the reliability, response capacity and validity of four scales for low back pain and correlate these scales with each other and the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SACQ). Methods: We evaluated the psychometric properties of four previously selected scales for low back pain: the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), the Quebec Back Pain Questionnaire (QBPDS), the Waddell Disability Index (WDI) and the Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS) and Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SACQ) comorbidity scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Reliability and internal consistency were measured by Cronbach's alpha. Validity was measured through correlation of the scales with the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire comorbidity scale and an analysis of the structural equations between them. Results: The scales showed adequate indicators based on the factor structure and showed Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin values above 0.90. After the exploratory factor analysis, all scales showed fit indicators suited to a factor model, following the same pattern as the original validations. Similarly, they showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha greater than .78). The only scale that showed factor loadings suggesting the exclusion of any item was the Roland-Morris. In terms of validity, the scales showed positive correlation coefficients similar to the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire and between them. Conclusion: Regarding the scales evaluated, they showed similar indications of reliability and internal consistency, such that we did not find sufficient evidence to indicate one scale over another. Level of Evidence I; Diagnostic studies – Investigation of a diagnostic test.

Validation of the self-administered comorbidity questionnaire adjusted for spondyloarthritis: results from the ASAS-COMOSPA study.

ObjectiveTo confirm validity of the Self-administered Comorbidity Questionnaire modified for patients with SpA (mSCQ), and assess whether validity improves when adding items on extra-articular manifestations (EAMs), i.e. uveitis, psoriasis, and IBD, and osteoporosis and fractures.MethodsData from the Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society COMOrbidities in SPondyloArthritis study were used. Criterion validity of presence of EAMs, osteoporosis and fractures was assessed as agreement (kappa) between patients’ self-reported and physician-confirmed disease. Construct validity of the mSCQ including EAMs, osteoporosis and/or fractures (SpA-SCQ) was assessed by testing hypotheses about correlations with demographics, physical function, work ability, health utility and disease activity, and was compared with construct validity of the rheumatic disease comorbidity index.ResultsIn total, 3984 patients contributed to the analyses. Agreement between patient-reported and physician-reported EAMs was substantial to almost perfect (uveitis ĸ = 0.81, IBD ĸ = 0.73, psoriasis ĸ = 0.86). Agreement for osteoporosis (ĸ = 0.38) and fractures (ĸ = 0.39) was fair. As hypothesized, the mSCQ correlated moderately to weakly with age, physical function, work limitations and health utility, and very weakly with disease activity. In contrast to our hypothesis, adding EAMs, osteoporosis and/or fractures to the mSCQ decreased correlations with several external constructs, especially among patients with peripheral SpA. Correlations with the different constructs were stronger for the both mSCQ and SpA-SCQ (rBASFI = 0.34; rEQ-5D = −0.33) compared with the rheumatic disease comorbidity index (rBASFI = 0.24; rEQ-5D = −0.21).ConclusionThe mSCQ is a valid self-report instrument to assess the influence of comorbidities on health outcomes in patients with SpA. Adding EAMs and/or osteoporosis or fractures does not improve validity of the mSCQ.

Depression affects the recovery trajectories of patients with distal radius fractures: A latent growth curve analysis.

BackgroundDistal radius fractures (DRFs) are common and can lead to substantial pain and disability. Most people recover in six months, but some experience persistent pain and disability for one year or longer after injury. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that can help predict poor recovery. ObjectiveTo identify recovery trajectories in DRF patients and to determine the factors that can help predict poor recovery. MethodsRecovery was assessed in 318 patients using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation scale at baseline, three, six, and 12 months. Demographic information was collected in addition to the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire, from which data regarding depression were extracted. Latent growth curve analysis (LGCA) was used to identify the recovery trajectories. Comparisons of proportion between the emergent classes were then conducted using chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. ResultsThe LGCA revealed three distinct trajectories (rapid-recovery: (69%), slow-recovery: (23%), and non-recovery: (8%) as the best fit to the data. The proportion of people with depression was significantly greater in the non-recovery class (24%) compared to the slow (16%, p = 0.04) and rapid-recovery (8%, p = 0.03) classes. Additionally, the proportion of females were significantly lower in the non-recovery (64%, p = 0.03) compared to the slow (85%, p = 0.03) and the rapid-recovery classes (81%, p = 0.048). ConclusionRecovery from DRF was best described using three different trajectories. Greater self-reported depression and a lower proportion of females in the non-recovery class were distinguishing factors between the classes. Patients who appear to be in slow-recovery or non-recovery classes may be followed more closely.

Is the link between socioeconomic status and resilience mediated by reserve-building activities: mediation analysis of web-based cross-sectional data from chronic medical illness patient panels

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that the link between socioeconomic status (SES) and resilience is mediated by reserve-building activities.DesignCross-sectional observational study. Structural equation modelling (SEM)...

Does engagement in productive activities affect mental health and well-being in older adults with a chronic physical disability? Observational evidence from a Swiss cohort study

Objectives: To investigate type and load of productive activities as potential determinants of mental health and well-being in elderly persons with a physical disability.Methods: We used data from a Swiss population-based sample of 314 adults at or past the legal retirement age (65 for men, 64 for women) who live with a chronic physical disability, spinal cord injury. Engagement in housework, volunteering, and paid work were dichotomized (no; some engagement) and three groups of engagement types were constructed (none; housework only; volunteering and/or paid work). Load of engagement was appraised using a sumscore on the overall frequency as well as the total number of performed activities. We used regression modelling to draw causal inference regarding the associations of type and load of engagement with general mental health (Mental Health Inventory, SF-36), self-reported depression (Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire, SCQ), and well-being (WHOQoL-BREF items).Results: Engagement in volunteering was positively related to well-being. Persons engaged only in housework reported better well-being and lower prevalence of depression than non-engaged persons, however, persons engaged in volunteering or paid work reported the highest well-being and the lowest prevalence of depression. The productivity sumscore tertiles and the number of performed activities were both positively linked to well-being and negatively linked to depression, while their association with general mental health was less pronounced.Conclusion: Strengthening the engagement in productive activities among the elderly with a chronic physical disability is suggested as a promising strategy to promote well-being and reduce the prevalence of depression.

Symptoms during chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients experience several physical and psychological co-occurring symptoms, but little is known about symptom variation during chemotherapy cycles. Therefore, the aims were (1) to assess the occurrence and severity of frequently occurring symptoms (worrying, lack of energy, numbness/tingling, nausea, and pain) at multiple time points during chemotherapy, (2) to investigate differences in symptom trajectories between chemotherapy groups, and (3) to determine whether selected patient and clinical characteristics are associated with symptom severity throughout the treatment trajectory. In total, 120 CRC patients receiving chemotherapy with curative or palliative intent completed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS), Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ-19), and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale eight times, during two cycles of chemotherapy and 3 and 6months after enrolment. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models for repeated measures to assess the effects of selected variables on outcomes over time. The patients experienced greatest symptom severity in the days following the administration of chemotherapy; these were lack of energy, numbness/tingling (oxaliplatin group), and nausea. Palliative patients reported significantly higher pain scores compared with curative patients over time, whereas the severity of worrying decreased over time in both treatment groups. Age, sex, educational level, performance status, treatment intent and type of chemotherapy were significantly associated with symptom severity throughout the chemotherapy trajectory. Clinicians can use these findings to identify and inform patients about risk for more severe symptom burden, in order to offer supportive care at the right time during the chemotherapy treatment.

Caregivers of patients receiving long-term treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST): a cross-sectional assessment of their distress and burden*

Background: TKIs are a long-term treatment for GIST, and may have an impact on caregivers.Material and Methods: For this cross-sectional study, patients and caregivers were both included when patients had been treated with TKIs for at least six months. Caregivers completed questionnaires including demographics, distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale), burden (Self-Perceived Pressure from Informal Care) general health (RAND-36), comorbidity (Self-administered Comorbidity Questionnaire), social support (Social Support List – Discrepancies) and marital satisfaction (Maudsley Marital Questionnaire). Patients completed similar questionnaires, without ‘burden’. We conducted analyses to explore differences between caregivers with low/moderate versus high levels of burden and low versus high levels of distress.Results: Sixty-one out of seventy-one eligible couples (84%) were included in the analysis. The median age of the caregivers was 60 years; 66% were female and 78% were the patients’ spouse. The median age of the patients was 66 years; 43% were female. Caregivers experienced high levels of burden and distress in 10% and 23%, respectively. Caregivers with high levels of burden perceived significantly lower mental health, less vitality, lower general health and high levels of distress. Significantly higher levels of burden were found in non-spouses, caregivers of patients with more treatment-related side-effects, caregivers who spent more hours caring, and those caring for more than one person. For distress, caregivers with high levels of distress perceived significantly more burden, lower social functioning, more role physical and emotional problems, lower mental health, less vitality and lower general health. Furthermore, high levels of distress were found in caregivers of more dependent patients and those caring for more than one person.Conclusions: Caregivers of the patients with GIST treated with TKI are managing well. There is a small, vulnerable group of caregivers with high levels of burden and/or distress, show more health-related problems, both physical and mental, and require adequate support.

Treatment-related Decisional Conflict, Quality of Life, and Comorbidity in Older Adults with Cancer

Objective:The present study aims to examine the relationships between and among cancer treatment-related decisional conflict, quality of life, and comorbidity in older adults with cancer.Methods:A convenience sample of 200 older adults was recruited from outpatient medical oncology and radiation oncology practices in the northeastern United States. A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design was used employing a survey method. Survey instruments included the Decisional Conflict scale (DCS) (with five subscales, including informed, values clarity, support, uncertainty, and effective decision); Self-administered comorbidity questionnaire (SCQ); European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (including five function scales, three symptom scales, a global health/quality of life scale, and six single items); and an investigator-developed demographic form.Results:The mean total DCS score was 22.1 (±12.5). The uncertainty subscale had the highest mean of the subscales (29.2 ± 18.2). The mean score for global health status/quality of life was 44.2 (±20.7). The mean score of the SCQ was low (9.6 ± 4.1). Significant positive relationships were identified between decisional conflict and quality of life (P = 0.009) and quality of life and comorbidity (P = 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis found statistically significant relationships for total decisional conflict score and the five decisional conflict scale subscales.Conclusions:Results may suggest a relationship between decisional conflict and quality of life, as well as the quality of life and comorbidity. In addition, there are several physical, emotional, and spiritual factors that may positively or negatively impact decisional conflict.

Descriptive analysis of community dwelling elderly individuals with low falls risk: Utilization of the Steadi Toolkit from the Center for disease control &amp; prevention (CDC)

The study objectives were: to investigate the fall risk and physical performance of community dwelling elderly individuals with low falls risk using the CDC's STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, & Injuries) toolkit: STEADI screening measure and recommended Clinical Observation Assessments (COA); and,to describe the multi-morbidity burden and physical function of such individuals. In a retrospective study at a PMR clinic 17 elderly community-dwelling subjects (age range 60–79 years old) participated. The outcome measures were: the patient-reported STEADI measure assessed falls risk factors (low fall risk defined as STEADI score <4). The COAs consisted of the Timed-Up-and Go (TUG) and 30-Second Chair Stand Test (CST). The Self-Administered Co-Morbidity Questionnaire (SCQ) described the multi-morbidity burden, and the PROMIS-57 v1.0-Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) quantified the activity limitation. Data met normality assumptions. Mean differences were examined among variables using ANOVA with age as a covariate; age did not differ significantly among participants. Descriptive statistics and significant tests are provided for each variable. No variables demonstrated a gender effect (perhaps because of small n for females). A Pearson Correlation analysis (p ≤ .05) among variables was also conducted. The mean (SD) scores were as follows: STEADI 0.944 (1.21); TUG 16.0 (6.79); CST 10.07 (2.73); SCQ 6.47 (3.28); and, PROMIS-PF 41.48 (9.15). No significant correlations were found, specifically the STEADI score did not correlate with COA, SCQ, and PROMIS-PF. Community dwelling elderly individuals with low falls risk tend to have low multi-morbidity burden, mild activity limitation, slow gait speed, and fair lower extremity power–independent of age and gender factors. The study showed the limited use of CDC-recommended COAs in individuals with low falls risk. Future studies should address the appropriate performance-based assessments (PBA) in these individuals with low falls risk as categorized by the CDC's STEADI measure and contrast these PBA with those current CDC-recommended COAs.

Symptom Experience and Self-rated Physical Functioning in Patients With Ovarian Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: A Longitudinal Study.

In this longitudinal study, we investigated occurrence of multiple symptoms during chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer. We also evaluated whether self-rated physical functioning, selected demographic, and clinical variables were associated with symptom burden over time. In total, 82 patients provided longitudinal data (4 time points) by completing questionnaires including the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, and the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records. Karnofsky Performance Status Scale score of less than 80 was defined as low and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale score 80 or higher as high physical functioning. Possible associations between the most frequent symptoms and selected variables were modeled using binary logistic regression for repeated measures. Palliative treatment was the main reason for treatment for 85% of the patients. Sixty percent of the patients reported high prevalence of symptoms, particularly lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, and worrying. The total number of symptoms increased during the treatment and returned to enrollment values at 6 months. This trend was dominated with physical symptoms. When we compared women with low (n = 33) versus high physical functioning (n = 49) at enrollment, low physical functioning was significantly associated with more symptoms and distress for the study period. Patients with low physical functioning were more likely to experience lack of energy (odds ratio [OR] = 8.33), feeling drowsy (OR = 4.17), feeling bloated (OR = 2.44), feeling sad (OR = 3.33), having pain (OR = 4.72), and worrying (OR = 2.50), and this remained stable throughout the observation period of 6 months. A high symptom burden was reported in this cohort of patients with ovarian cancer mainly treated with palliative intent. Low self-rated physical functioning was strongly associated with high symptom burden for the 6-month period. When chemotherapy is discussed with patients with ovarian cancer with low physical functioning, possible palliation benefits must be weighed against the added risk of long-term distressful symptoms that chemotherapy implies.

Reference data of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire: five consecutive annual assessments of approximately 2000 representative Dutch men and women

Objective: Cancer and its treatment have an influence on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Normative data could help to interpret HRQOL among cancer patients. Our aim was to generate longitudinal normative data based on sex, age and morbidity for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire.Methods: The QLQ-C30 and the Self-administered Comorbidity Questionnaire were administered to a representative panel of the Dutch-speaking population in the Netherlands in 2009 (n = 1743), 2010 (n = 2050), 2011 (n = 2040), 2012 (n = 2194) and 2013 (n = 2333).Results: Regarding sex, at baseline, women scored statistically significant and clinically relevant worse on fatigue, pain and insomnia compared to men. Regarding age groups and sex, HRQoL was lower among the older age groups in men and women. For men, at baseline, significant and clinically relevant age differences were found on physical, role and cognitive functioning, global QOL scale, fatigue, pain and dyspnea. The change over 5 years was larger for older age groups. For women, at baseline, significant and clinically relevant age differences were found on physical functioning, role functioning, nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea and insomnia. Those without self-reported morbidities reported a better HRQoL compared to those with morbidities. Among those who completed five assessments, the summary scale scores were stable over time, were higher in men than in women, and higher in younger compared to older age groups.Conclusions: Although HRQoL remains relatively stable over time, HRQoL data needs to be interpreted with care as many confounding factors can have an impact on HRQOL. Our data (which is freely available) can aid in the interpretation of QLQ-C30 scores and can help increase our understanding of the influence of age, sex, time and morbid conditions on HRQoL among cancer patients.

Predictors of the multidimensional symptom experience of lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Few studies have examined interindividual variability in the symptom experience of lung cancer patients. We aimed to identify the most prevalent, severe, and distressing symptoms, and risk factors associated with increased symptom burden. Lung cancer patients (n=145) reported occurrence, severity, and distress for 38 symptoms on the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale 1week after chemotherapy. Using multidimensional subscales, risk factors for higher global distress, physical, and psychological symptoms were evaluated using simultaneous linear regression. Mean age was 64.0years and 56.6% were female. Mean Karnofsky Performance Status score was 79.1 (SD 14.6) and mean Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire score was 7.3 (SD 3.9). The most distressing and prevalent symptom was fatigue. Problems with sexual interest/activity had the highest mean severity rating. Patients with lower functional status (p=0.001) and higher comorbidity (p=0.02) reported higher global distress. Similarly, lower functional status (p=0.003) and higher comorbidity (p=0.04) were associated with a higher physical symptom burden along with lower body mass index (p=0.02). Higher psychology symptom burden was associated with lower functional status (p=0.01), younger age (p=0.02), non-metastatic disease (p=0.03), higher number of prior treatments (p=0.04), and income (p=0.03). Fatigue was the most distressing and prevalent symptom among lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Lower functional status was associated with a higher burden of global distress, physical, and psychological symptoms. Younger age and non-metastatic disease were additional risk factors for increased psychological symptoms. Together, these risk factors can help clinicians identify lung cancer patients at increased need for aggressive symptom management.

Reference data of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-CIPN20 Questionnaire in the general Dutch population

ObjectiveChemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a debilitating side-effect of chemotherapy. However, CIPN symptoms are also reported by patients not receiving chemotherapy. Normative data could help interpret CIPN among cancer patients. Our aim was to generate normative data for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-CIPN20 Questionnaire designed to assess CIPN from the patients' perspective. The normative CIPN data have also been generated for stratified subgroups formed on the basis of sex, age and comorbidity. MethodsThe QLQ-CIPN20 and the Self-administered Comorbidity Questionnaire were administered to a representative panel of the Dutch-speaking population in the Netherlands. ResultsTwo thousand one hundred and two (78%) of those invited completed the questionnaires. The majority reported no CIPN symptoms (83–97%). Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the sum score, and sensory, motor and autonomic subscales were 0.87, 0.76, 0.82 and 0.49, respectively. Compared with men, women scored significantly worse on the sum score (men, 3.0 versus women, 4.3; p < 0.001), motor scale (2.7 versus 5.1; p < 0.001) and autonomic scale (3.8 versus 5.2; p < 0.01), but this difference was not clinically relevant. CIPN symptoms increased significantly with age among both men (for the sum score and all scales) and women (for the sum score, sensory and motor scale). Those with self-reported comorbidities reported significantly more CIPN symptoms, both statistically and clinically, than those without. For instance, they had a lower mean sum score (1.5) compared to those with asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; 6.9), diabetes (5.9), heart disease (8.0), hypertension (6.2), osteoarthritis (9.6) and rheumatoid arthritis (13.8). ConclusionsA low prevalence of neuropathy was observed in the normative population without cancer, although neuropathy did increase with age and the presence of comorbidities. These data (which is freely available) can aid in the interpretation of QLQ-CIPN20 scores and can help increase our understanding of the influence of age, sex and comorbid conditions on CIPN among cancer patients.

The impact of comorbidities on productivity loss in asthma patients.

BackgroundHealth-related productivity loss is an important, yet overlooked, component of the economic burden of disease in asthma patients of a working age. We aimed at evaluating the effect of comorbidities on productivity loss among adult asthma patients.MethodsIn a random sample of employed adults with asthma, we measured comorbidities using a validated self-administered comorbidity questionnaire (SCQ), as well as productivity loss, including absenteeism and presenteeism, using validated instruments. Productivity loss was measured in 2010 Canadian dollars ($). We used a two-part regression model to estimate the adjusted difference of productivity loss across levels of comorbidity, controlling for potential confounding variables.Results284 adults with the mean age of 47.8 (SD 11.8) were included (68 % women). The mean SCQ score was 2.47 (SD 2.97, range 0–15) and the average productivity loss was $317.5 per week (SD $858.8). One-unit increase in the SCQ score was associated with 14 % (95 % CI 1.02–1.28) increase in the odds of reporting productivity loss, and 9.0 % (95 % CI 1.01–1.18) increase in productivity loss among those reported any loss of productivity. A person with a SCQ score of 15 had almost $1000 per week more productivity loss than a patient with a SCQ of zero.ConclusionsOur study deepens the evidence-base on the burden of asthma, by demonstrating that comorbidities substantially decrease productivity in working asthma patients. Asthma management strategies must be cognizant of the role of comorbidities to properly incorporate the effect of comorbidity and productivity loss in estimating the benefit of disease management strategies.

Representativity and co-morbidity: Two factors of importance when reporting health status among survivors of cardiac arrest

AimReports on differences between respondents and non-respondents of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors are sparse. This study compares respondents with non-respondents in a follow-up study of a consecutive sample of OHCA survivors and describes the relation between respondents’ self-reported morbidity and health. Methods/designQuestionnaires were administered within 12 months after the OHCA. The study population was adult patients who had survived an OHCA during 2008 to 2011, with a cerebral performance score of ≤2 at discharge. The patients were identified through the Swedish registry of OHCA. The Self-administered comorbidity questionnaire and EQ VAS (Euroqol questionnaire visual analogue scale) was used to measure morbidity and health status. ResultsOf 298 survivors, 224 were eligible for the study and 127 responded. Mean time from cardiac arrest (CA) to follow up was 178 days. Comparing the 127 respondents with the 97 lost to follow-up and non-respondents, no significant differences were found in terms of age, sex, factors at resuscitation and in-hospital interventions. The EQ VAS median was 75 (25th,75th percentile 60,80)). Self-rated health differed between respondents reporting 0-2 conditions (n=68) and respondents reporting more than two (n=43), median EQ VAS 78 (68,90) and 65 (50,80)), respectively; p-value 0.0001. ConclusionsDespite a limited response rate, representativeness in terms of patient characteristics among survivors of OHCA with an acceptable cerebral function is achievable. A considerable proportion of the survivors lived with the burden of multi-morbidity which worsened health.

Health conditions in people with spinal cord injury: Contemporary evidence from a population-based community survey in Switzerland.

Health conditions in people with spinal cord injury are major determinants for disability, reduced well-being, and mortality. However, population-based evidence on the prevalence and treatment of health conditions in people with spinal cord injury is scarce. To investigate health conditions in Swiss residents with spinal cord injury, specifically to analyse their prevalence, severity, co-occurrence, and treatment. Cross-sectional data (n = 1,549) from the community survey of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury (SwiSCI) cohort study, including Swiss residents with spinal cord injury aged over 16 years, were analysed. Nineteen health conditions and their self-reported treatment were assessed with the spinal cord injury Secondary Conditions Scale and the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire. Prevalence and severity were compared across demographics and spinal cord injury characteristics. Co-occurrence of health conditions was examined using a binary non-metric dissimilarity measure and multi-dimensional scaling. Treatment rates were also examined. Number of concurrent health conditions was high (median 7; interquartile range 4-9; most frequent: spasticity, chronic pain, sexual dysfunction). Prevalence of health conditions increased with age and was higher in non-traumatic compared with traumatic spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury specific conditions co-occurred. Relative frequencies of treatment were low (median 44%, interquartile range 25-64%), even for significant or chronic problems. A high prevalence of multimorbidity was found in community-dwelling persons with spinal cord injury. Treatment for some highly prevalent health conditions was infrequent.