Dmytro Unukovych

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in breast cancer patients with a family history: A prospective 2-years follow-up study of health related quality of life, sexuality and body image

INTRODUCTION Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is the most effective option to prevent the occurrence of a second breast cancer in hereditary breast cancer patients. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety and depression, sexuality and body image in breast cancer patients with a family history undergoing CPM with immediate breast reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS In total, 60 of 69 eligible patients agreed to participate in the study. Four validated questionnaires were used: the SF-36, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), the Body Image Scale (BIS), and the Sexual Activity Questionnaire (SAQ). Forty-five patients (75%) responded before CPM, 49 (82%) at 6 months, and 45 (75%) at 2 years after CPM. RESULTS Overall, the patients showed a satisfactory HRQoL 2 years after CPM, similar to women in the general population. There were no differences in HRQoL, anxiety, depression or sexuality before and after CPM. However, more than half of the women reported at least one body image problem 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSION No adverse effects on HRQoL, anxiety, depression or sexuality were observed. However, some aspects of body image were negatively affected after CPM. These findings could be used in preoperative counselling of breast cancer patients opting for CPM.

Cardiovascular complications secondary to Graves' disease: a prospective study from Ukraine.

Background Graves’ disease (GD) is a common cause of hyperthyroidism resulting in development of thyrotoxic heart disease (THD). Objectives to assess cardiovascular disorders and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with THD secondary to GD. Patients and Methods All patients diagnosed with THD secondary to GD between January 2011 and December 2013 were eligible for this study. Clinical assessment was performed at baseline and at the follow-up visit after the restoring of euthyroid state. HRQoL was studied with a questionnaire EQ-5D-5L. Results Follow-up data were available for 61 patients, but only 30 patients with THD secondary to GD were consented to participate in investigation of their HRQoL. The frequency of cardiovascular complications was significantly reduced as compared before and after the antithyroid therapy as follows: resting heart rate (122 vs. 74 bpm), blood pressure: systolic (155 vs. 123 mm Hg), diastolic (83 vs. 66 mm Hg), supraventricular premature contractions (71% vs. 7%), atrial fibrillation (72% vs. 25%), congestive heart failure (69% vs. 20%), thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy (77% vs. 26%), all p<0.01. Anti-TSH receptor antibodies were determined as independent predictor of left ventricular geometry changes, (b-coefficient = 0.04, 95%CI 0.01–0.07, p = 0.02). HRQoL was improved in all domains and self-rated health increased from 43 to 75 units by visual analogue score (p<0.001). Conclusions Restoring of euthyroid state in patients with GD is associated with significant elimination of cardiovascular disorders and improvement of HRQoL. To our knowledge this is the first study evaluating Ukrainian patients with THD secondary to GD with focus on HRQoL.

Breast reconstruction in patients with personal and family history of breast cancer undergoing contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, a 10-year experience

Abstract Background. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical course of breast reconstruction in patients with personal and family history of breast cancer undergoing contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) and elucidate the association between reoperation risk and adjuvant treatment. Methods. A descriptive retrospective study of a consecutive series of breast cancer patients who underwent CPM with breast reconstruction at Karolinska University Hospital between 1998 and 2008 was performed. Reoperation was chosen as an outcome variable assessing morbidity and thus documented for each patient and for each reconstructed breast. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate the risk of reoperation after bilateral breast reconstruction. Results. Ninety-one patients underwent CPM during the study period. Their mean age at CPM was 45.3 years (SD =9.4). No contralateral breast cancer was diagnosed after CPM during the median follow-up period of 3.9 years. All women, but two, received an implant based breast reconstruction. The majority (n =75, 82%) underwent CPM with concurrent bilateral breast reconstruction. Overall, after bilateral breast reconstruction 45/75 (60%) required at least one reoperation on the CPM side (n =2, 3%), therapeutic mastectomy (TM) side (n =17, 23%) or both sides (n =26, 33%). In the paired analyses, the probability of reoperation was significantly higher after TM reconstruction as compared to CPM (0.57 vs. 0.37, p =0.001). The mean number of reoperations required for completion of TM and CPM reconstruction was 0.84 and 0.49, respectively (p =0.003). Among all potential risk factors, only radiotherapy was associated with reoperation after bilateral breast reconstruction (odds ratio [OR]: 4.2, 95% CI, 1.3 to 13.6, p =0.015). Conclusions. Breast reconstruction in patients with personal and family history of breast cancer is a complex operation. This study found that the clinical course after bilateral breast reconstruction was predominantly affected by reoperations on the TM side and given radiotherapy was associated with reoperation. Further studies are necessary to examine the possible predictors of unanticipated reoperations in candidates for CPM with breast reconstruction.

Preoperative psychosocial characteristics may predict body image and sexuality two years after risk-reducing mastectomy: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND Risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) in patients at high risk has become more available and the rates of both bilateral (BRRM) and contralateral (CRRM) procedures are increasing. For women opting for RRM, psychosocial well-being, body image and sexuality are known to be important patient-reported outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate baseline health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and emotional distress (anxiety and depression) as predictors of body image and sexuality two years after RRM in women undergoing CRRM and BRRM. METHODS This is a prospective cohort study including consecutive women opting for BRRM and breast cancer patients considering CRRM at Karolinska University Hospital during 1998-2010. The women were given a set of questionnaires to be completed at baseline before RRM (The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form, The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and The Sexual Activity Questionnaire) and two years after RRM (all the above-mentioned questionnaires along with The Body Image Scale). Mean scores for all questionnaires were analysed using linear regression models and adjusted for age at RRM as well as calendar year. RESULTS In total, 253 patients consented to participate in the study. Response rate at baseline and 2 years was 88% and 71%, respectively. In the BRRM group (healthy women), preoperative HRQoL and emotional distress were associated with body image and sexual problems two years after the procedure. No similar associations were found for the patients with breast cancer who underwent CRRM. CONCLUSIONS The current study suggests that preoperative HRQoL and emotional distress may predict body image and sexual problems two years after RRM in healthy women, but not in breast cancer patients. Baseline psychosocial characteristics may be useful to identify women at risk for long-term body image and sexual problems following BRRM, but not among breast cancer patients opting for CRRM.

Associations between Reoperations and Psychological Factors after Contralateral Risk-Reducing Mastectomy: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

Introduction. The aim of the study was to investigate associations between reoperations after contralateral risk-reducing mastectomies (CRRM) and emotional problems, body image, sexuality, and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with breast cancer and hereditary high risk. Patients and Methods. Patients scheduled for CRRM with breast reconstruction between 1998 and 2010 completed questionnaires, comprised of SF-36, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Body Image Scale, and the Sexual Activity Questionnaire, preoperatively and two years after CRRM. Data on reoperations was collected from medical charts. Results. A total of 80 women participated, with a response rate of 61 (76%) preoperatively and 57 (71%) at the two-year follow-up. At the two-year assessment, 44 (55%) patients had undergone ≥1 reoperation (reoperation group), whereas 36 (45%) had not (no reoperation group). No statistically significant differences between the groups were found for HRQoL, sexuality, anxiety, or depression. A higher proportion of patients in the “reoperation group” reported being dissatisfied with their bodies (81% versus 48%, p = 0.01). Conclusion. The results suggest associations between reoperation following CRRM with breast reconstruction and body image problems. Special attention should be paid to body image problems among women who are subject to reoperations after CRRM.