Eleanor O'Sullivan

Clinical effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of irradiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review

Background Irradiation-induced xerostomia seriously reduces quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Anecdotal evidence suggests that acupuncture may be beneficial. Objective To systematically review evidence on clinical effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in irradiation-induced xerostomia in patients with HNC. Methods A detailed search was performed to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews of RCTs on acupuncture in irradiation-induced xerostomia, using AMED, BNIA, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, HPSI, PsycInfo and Medline. Grey literature was explored and 11 journals hand searched. Search terms included: acupuncture, xerostomia, salivary hypofunction, hyposalivation, dry mouth, radiotherapy, irradiation, brachytherapy, external beam. Two authors independently extracted data for analysis using predefined selection criteria and quality indicators. Results 43 of the 61 articles identified were excluded on title/abstract. 18 articles underwent full-text review; three were deemed eligible for inclusion. Two trials had moderate risk of bias; one had high risk. Two trials compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture; one control arm received ‘usual care’. Outcome measurements included salivary flow rates (SFRs) in two trials and subjective questionnaires in three. All three trials reported significant reduction in xerostomia versus baseline SFR (p<0.05); one reported greater effect in the intervention group for stimulated SFR (p<0.01). Subjective assessment reported significant differences between real acupuncture and control in two trials (p<0.02–0.05). Insufficient evidence was presented to undertake risk/benefit assessment. Conclusions Limited evidence suggests that acupuncture is beneficial for irradiation-induced xerostomia. Although current evidence is insufficient to recommend this intervention, it is sufficient to justify further studies. Highlighted methodological limitations must be dealt with.

Psychological variables associated with quality of life following primary treatment for head and neck cancer: a systematic review of the literature from 2004 to 2015

There has been a recent proliferation of research on quality of life (QoL) in head and neck cancer (HNC). The objective of this review was to systematically examine the evidence on psychological factors associated with QoL outcomes for HNC survivors in the post‐treatment period published during 2004–2015.

Prevalence of oral mucosal abnormalities in addiction treatment centre residents in Southern Ireland.

This study examines the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and conditions among Irish addiction treatment centre residents and explores the feasibility and acceptability of a targeted oral cancer screening programme for such individuals. Four alcohol addiction treatment centres were visited periodically over a 12-month period. Two hundred and twenty residents (78% of 283 targeted) were interviewed regarding their alcohol, tobacco and drug habits (type, quantity, duration), and attitudes to dental care. Comprehensive oral examinations were performed. All potentially sinister soft tissue lesions/symptoms were referred for further investigation. Data analysis utilised SPSS-18. Ten participants who denied a history of alcohol/drug addiction were excluded from the main study. Remaining 210 participants comprised 148 males (70%) and 62 females (30%), ranging from 18 to 73 years of age, (mean 37.65; S.D. 13.82); 60% were under 40. High rates of tobacco and alcohol usage were recorded, 53% reported dual addiction (drug+alcohol), 44% alcohol only, 3% drug only. The prevalence of mucosal abnormalities was 29% with 84 mucosal abnormalities/symptoms detected in 61 subjects, comprising 28 extra-oral lesions/symptoms and 56 intra-oral lesions. Residents with mucosal abnormalities were significantly older (mean 41.8 years; S.D. 14.3) than those without such lesions (mean 35.95; S.D. 13.3), (p<0.05). Highest prevalences were noted for candidiasis (3.8%), facial scaring/laceration (3.8%), intra-oral lumps/swellings (2.9%), lymphadenopathy (2.9%) and hoarseness (1.9%). Four red areas suggestive of erythroplasia and two leukoplakic lesions were detected. Study addresses the paucity of data on the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in addicted persons in Southern Ireland. Thirteen extra-oral lesions/symptoms and 19 intra-oral lesions were potentially significant. Despite the relatively poor follow-up compliance rate (33%), two premalignant lesions were confirmed in the main study group, yielding a detection rate of 0.9%. Results suggest that an oral cancer screening programme targeted at individuals in addiction treatment centres may provide a feasible way to access persons with a history of tobacco and alcohol abuse. A high rate of untreated disease and emergency only attendance was seen in this study suggesting a lack of engagement with GDP services. Opportunistic screening in primary care is therefore unlikely to capture this cohort. Inclusion of oral cancer screening in the routine medical examination given to residents of addiction treatment centres may provide an efficient and effective way to detect potentially malignant lesions in these high-risk individuals.

‘I'll continue as long as I can, and die when I can't help it’: a qualitative exploration of the views of end-of-life care by those affected by head and neck cancer (HNC)

Background Evidence currently suggests that many people would prefer to die at home. However, optimal end-of-life homecare depends on the patients ability to express their care preferences, prognostic awareness, complexity of care, concordance of patient/carer preferences and availability of appropriate services/support. This study explores Irish Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patient and caregivers’ views on end-of-life care (EoLC), an area hitherto little studied. Methods Qualitative data were collected using semistructured, one-to-one interviews with HNC patients with therapeutic experience and their nearest caregivers (n=10, 7 patients, 3 carers). Interview topic guide was developed from the PRISMA EoLC survey. Thematic content analysis was employed to interpret findings. Results Thematic analysis identified five broad EoLC themes: prognostication, decision making, preferred focus of care/advanced care planning (ACP), preferred place of care/death, perceived barriers/supports to home death. Participants were very willing to discuss most aspects of EoLC, exhibiting no signs of distress. Patients were reluctant to discuss preferred focus-of-care and ACP. This seemed linked to an overly optimistic view of aggressive medical intervention. While carers favoured full patient involvement in decision making, patients were divided between wanting autonomy and those preferring a more passive approach. All expressed a preference for homecare, and most felt they would ideally prefer to die at home. However, decision making was considered a complex process intertwined with risks, responsibilities and commitments to others. Carer burden and symptom control were major concerns. Conclusions Normalising discussions on EoLC may benefit those affected by HNC. However, in HNC, this needs to be done alongside discussions regarding potentially life-extending treatment, symptom management and support.

Associations between neighbourhood support and financial burden with unmet needs of head and neck cancer survivors

PURPOSE To assess the unmet needs of head and neck cancer survivors and investigate associated factors. In particular, to explore whether social support (family/friends and neighbours) and financial burden are associated with unmet needs of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of HNC survivors, with 583 respondents included in the analysis. Information was collected on unmet supportive care needs as measured by the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34). Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to examine factors associated with having one or more needs in each of the five domains (physical; psychological; sexuality; patient care and support; and health system and information). RESULTS The mean age of respondents was 62.9years (standard deviation 11.3years) and one third of respondents were female. The top ten unmet needs was composed exclusively of items from the physical and psychological domains. Financial strain due to cancer and finding it difficult to obtain practical help from a neighbour were both associated with unmet needs in each of the five domains, in the adjusted analyses. CONCLUSION Whilst in each domain, a minority of respondents have unmet needs, approximately half of respondents reported at least one unmet need, with the commonest unmet needs in the psychological domain. Providing services to people with these needs should be a priority for healthcare providers. We suggest that studies, which identify risk factors for unmet needs, could be used to develop screening tools or aid in the targeting of support.

The financial impact of head and neck cancer caregiving: a qualitative study.

There is a lack of research on the financial impacts that head and neck cancer has on caregivers.

Self‐management strategies used by head and neck cancer survivors following completion of primary treatment: A directed content analysis

Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors encounter unique challenges following treatment. This study aimed to identify self‐management strategies that HNC survivors use to overcome these posttreatment challenges.

Barriers to active self-management following treatment for head and neck cancer: Survivors' perspectives

Active self‐management practices may help head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors to deal with challenges to their physical, functional, social, and psychological well‐being presented by HNC and its treatment. This study investigates the factors perceived by HNC survivors to act as barriers to their active self‐management following primary treatment.

The financial impact of head and neck cancer caregiving

There is a lack of research on the financial impacts that head and neck cancer has on caregivers.

The financial impact of head and neck cancer caregiving: a qualitative study: Finance head neck carer

There is a lack of research on the financial impacts that head and neck cancer has on caregivers.