Dueck, Amylou C.

BACKGROUNDPatients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis, are faced with oppressive symptom profiles that compromise daily functioning and quality of life. Among these symptoms, sexuality‐related symptoms have emerged as particularly prominent and largely unaddressed. In the current study, the authors evaluated how sexuality symptoms from MPN relate to other patient characteristics, disease features, treatments, and symptoms.METHODSA total of 1971 patients with MPN (827 with essential thrombocythemia, 682 with polycythemia vera, 456 with myelofibrosis, and 6 classified as other) were prospectively evaluated and patient responses to the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form (MPN‐SAF) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC‐QLQ C30) were collected, along with information regarding individual disease characteristics and laboratory data. Sexuality scores were compared with an age‐matched, healthy control population.RESULTSOverall, patients with MPN were found to have greater sexual dysfunction compared with the healthy population (MPN‐SAF score of 3.6 vs 2.0; P<.001), with 64% of patients with MPN describing some degree of sexual dysfunction and 43% experiencing severe symptoms. The presence of sexual symptoms correlated closely with all domains of patient functionality (physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and role functioning) and were associated with a reduced quality of life. Sexual problems also were found to be associated with other MPN symptoms, particularly depression and nocturnal and microvascular‐related symptoms. Sexual dysfunction was more severe in patients aged >65 years and in those with cytopenias and transfusion requirements, and those receiving certain therapies such as immunomodulators or steroids.ConclusionsThe results of the current study identify the topic of sexuality as a prominent issue for the MPN population, and this area would appear to benefit from additional investigation and management. Cancer 2016;122:1888–96. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

BACKGROUND Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) experience a high persistence, prevalence, and severity of fatigue. There is currently only limited information regarding factors that contribute to fatigue in patients with MPNs. METHODS A 70‐item, Internet‐based survey regarding fatigue was developed by MPN investigators and patients/advocates and hosted by the Mayo Clinic Survey Research Center. RESULTS Fatigue was found to be prevalent and severe among international survey respondents (1788 respondents). Higher body mass index ( P <.001), current use of alcohol ( P <.001), and current tobacco use ( P = .0025) were found to be significantly associated with greater fatigue. Moderate/severe fatigue was present more frequently in those individuals who did not exercise compared with those who reported exercising at least once per week ( P <.001). Medical comorbidities found to be significantly associated with greater fatigue included restless leg syndrome ( P = .006), diabetes mellitus ( P = .045), fibromyalgia ( P < 0.001), chronic fatigue syndrome ( P = .006), and chronic kidney disease ( P = .02). Current use of antidepressants ( P <.001), antihistamines ( P = .0276), antianxiety medications ( P = .0357), and prescription pain medications ( P <.001) were found to be associated with worsened fatigue. Nearly 25% of respondents scored > 2 on the Patient Health Questionnaire, indicating a high probability of depression. Higher Brief Fatigue Inventory score, Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Total Symptom Score, and individual symptom items were all associated with a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms ( P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS The management of fatigue should be multifactorial, with a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan to address all modifiable fatigue etiologies. Patients with MPNs likely have a higher prevalence of mood disturbances compared with the general population, suggesting the need to assess and intervene in this domain. Cancer 2016;122:477–485. © 2015 American Cancer Society .

Purpose There is growing interest to enhance symptom monitoring during routine cancer care using patient-reported outcomes, but evidence of impact on clinical outcomes is limited. Methods We randomly assigned patients receiving routine outpatient chemotherapy for advanced solid tumors at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to report 12 common symptoms via tablet computers or to receive usual care consisting of symptom monitoring at the discretion of clinicians. Those with home computers received weekly e-mail prompts to report between visits. Treating physicians received symptom printouts at visits, and nurses received e-mail alerts when participants reported severe or worsening symptoms. The primary outcome was change in health-related quality of life (HRQL) at 6 months compared with baseline, measured by the EuroQol EQ-5D Index. Secondary endpoints included emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and survival. Results Among 766 patients allocated, HRQL improved among more participants in the intervention group than usual care (34% v 18%) and worsened among fewer (38% v 53%; P < .001). Overall, mean HRQL declined by less in the intervention group than usual care (1.4- v 7.1-point drop; P < .001). Patients receiving intervention were less frequently admitted to the ER (34% v 41%; P = .02) or hospitalized (45% v 49%; P = .08) and remained on chemotherapy longer (mean, 8.2 v 6.3 months; P = .002). Although 75% of the intervention group was alive at 1 year, 69% with usual care survived the year (P = .05), with differences also seen in quality-adjusted survival (mean of 8.7 v. 8.0 months; P = .004). Benefits were greater for participants lacking prior computer experience. Most patients receiving intervention (63%) reported severe symptoms during the study. Nurses frequently initiated clinical actions in response to e-mail alerts. Conclusion Clinical benefits were associated with symptom self-reporting during cancer care.

Purpose Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) associated with disabling symptoms and a heightened risk of life-threatening complications. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of JAK inhibitor therapy in patients with PV patients who have a history of prior hydroxyurea (HU) use (including resistance or intolerance), phlebotomy requirements, and palpable splenomegaly. We aimed to determine how these features contribute alone and in aggregate to the PV symptom burden. Patients and Methods Through prospective evaluation of 1,334 patients with PV who had characterized symptom burden, we assessed patient demographics, laboratory data, and the presence of splenomegaly by disease feature (ie, known HU use, known phlebotomy requirements, splenomegaly). Results The presence of each feature in itself is associated with a moderately high symptom burden (MPN symptom assessment form [SAF] total symptom score [TSS] range, 27.7 to 29.2) that persists independent of PV risk category. In addition, symptoms incrementally increase in severity with the addition of other features. Patients with PV who had all three features (PV-HUPS) faced the highest total score (MPN-SAF TSS, 32.5) but had similar individual symptom scores to patients with known HU use (PV-HU), known phlebotomy (PV-P), and splenomegaly (PV-S). Conclusion The results of this study suggest that patients with PV who have any one of the features in question (known HU use, known phlebotomy, or splenomegaly) have significant PV-associated symptoms. Furthermore, it demonstrates that many PV symptoms remain severe independent of the number of features present.

Background Lapatinib (L) plus trastuzumab (T) improves outcomes for metastatic human epidermal growth factor 2–positive breast cancer and increases the pathologic complete response in the neoadjuvant setting, but their role as adjuvant therapy remains uncertain. Methods In the Adjuvant Lapatinib and/or Trastuzumab Treatment Optimization trial, patients with centrally confirmed human epidermal growth factor 2–positive early breast cancer were randomly assigned to 1 year of adjuvant therapy with T, L, their sequence (T→L), or their combination (L+T). The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS), with 850 events required for 80% power to detect a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.8 for L+T versus T. Results Between June 2007 and July 2011, 8,381 patients were enrolled. In 2011, due to futility to demonstrate noninferiority of L versus T, the L arm was closed, and patients free of disease were offered adjuvant T. A protocol modification required P ≤ .025 for the two remaining pairwise comparisons. At a protocol-specified analysis with a median follow-up of 4.5 years, a 16% reduction in the DFS hazard rate was observed with L+T compared with T (555 DFS events; HR, 0.84; 97.5% CI, 0.70 to 1.02; P = .048), and a 4% reduction was observed with T→L compared with T (HR, 0.96; 97.5% CI, 0.80 to 1.15; P = .61). L-treated patients experienced more diarrhea, cutaneous rash, and hepatic toxicity compared with T-treated patients. The incidence of cardiac toxicity was low in all treatment arms. Conclusion Adjuvant treatment that includes L did not significantly improve DFS compared with T alone and added toxicity. One year of adjuvant T remains standard of care.

AbstractBackgroundSymptoms suggestive of gastroparesis are non‐specific and conflicting reports exist regarding the ability of symptoms to predict the presence of gastroparesis. Our aim, therefore, was to evaluate the relationships between gastroparetic symptoms and their impact on quality of life and determine their relationship with clinical factors and gastric emptying.MethodsGastric emptying scintigraphy, sociodemographic features, health care resource utilization, gastroparetic symptoms, and quality of life using validated questionnaires were obtained from consecutive patients referred for gastric emptying testing (GET). Descriptive analyses were conducted and logistic regression was performed to evaluate associations with abnormal gastric emptying after controlling for other covariates.Key ResultsTwo hundred and sixty‐six patients participated (195 females; mean age, 49.1 ± 17.6 years); 75% met Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia. Gastric emptying was delayed in 28.2% at 4 h; the delay was mild in 48%, moderate in 20% and severe in 32%. Nausea/emesis and postprandial fullness, but not bloating, were significantly greater in those with delayed emptying. Postprandial fullness was most severe. Weak correlations were identified between symptom severity and the severity of gastric emptying delay. Quality of life was also lower in the delayed emptying group. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated associations between delayed gastric emptying and lower quality of life and increased symptom severity.Conclusions & InferencesIn patients referred for GET, gastroparetic symptoms were more severe in those with delayed emptying. A decrease in quality of life in those with delayed gastric emptying was also present; this was not related to the severity of the delay in gastric emptying.

AbstractBackgroundThere have been conflicting results from studies that have evaluated psychological disturbances in functional dyspepsia (FD). We conducted a comprehensive survey of psychological measures in patients undergoing gastric emptying testing (GET) in order to determine the relationship among psychological distress, gastric emptying, and dyspeptic symptoms.MethodsConsecutive patients referred for GET were prospectively enrolled. Details regarding patient characteristics, health care utilization, dyspeptic symptoms, quality of life, and psychological dysfunction were obtained. Depression, anxiety, somatization, stress, positive and negative affect, and alexithymia were queried using validated questionnaires. We compared those dyspeptic patients who met Rome III criteria for FD to those who did not meet these criteria.Key ResultsTwo hundred and nine patients (160 female; mean age 46.6 years ± 17.3 years) participated. Around 151 patients (72%) met Rome III criteria for FD. In the entire group, a high level of depression, anxiety, somatization, and perceived stress was present compared to population norms. Health care seeking behavior and symptom severity were greater in those with FD and quality of life was lower compared to non‐FD. Gastric emptying did not differentiate the two groups and similar degrees of psychological distress were present whether emptying was delayed or normal.Conclusions & InferencesIn patients referred for GET, substantial psychological distress is present. The degree of distress was similar regardless of whether the patient met Rome III FD criteria or not. Further evaluation of psychological dysfunction in FD patients may lead to improved diagnosis and determination of the most appropriate treatment.

BackgroundA Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSKCC) nomogram predicts disease specific survival (DSS) for gastric adenocarcinoma. The goal of this study is to use a cancer registry to compare nomogram predicted survival with actual survival in the general population.MethodsAll patients undergoing surgery for gastric adenocarcinoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1988–2012) were studied.Results6954 patients were identified. Majority of cancers were in the antrum (30.2%), and had intestinal histology (73.7%). Median follow‐up was 8.2 years. Five year DSS for nomogram risk groups (0–25%, 26–50%, 51–75%, and 76–100%) was 23%, 48%, 57%, and 81% respectively. Actual DSS was 7–15% lower than nomogram predicted DSS. Relative to patients in the 76–100% 5‐year DSS risk group, patients in the 0–25%, 26–50%, and 51–75% groups had significantly higher risks of death with hazard ratios of 6.84 (95%CI 6.12–7.65), 3.30 (95%CI 2.83–3.86), and 2.64 (95%CI 2.30–3.03), respectively (all P < 0.001). The concordance index for 5‐year nomogram predicted DSS was 0.68 (95%CI 0.67–0.69).ConclusionsThe MSKCC gastric cancer nomogram over‐estimates DSS from gastric cancer in the general population and has a moderate concordance index. Predictive tools generated at specialized institutions may not perform as well in the general population. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:377–380. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.