Rama Krsna Rajandram

Coping processes relevant to posttraumatic growth: an evidence-based review

ObjectiveThis study aims to perform an evidence-based review on the quantitative data regarding coping processes related to posttraumatic growth in the field of oncology to facilitate understanding of posttraumatic growth in oral cavity cancer (OCC) patients.Material and methodsPubmed, Medline, and PsycINFO were used for the search and the reference list checked for each selected article. Full articles meeting the inclusion criteria were retrieved. Only English articles were included.ResultsThe initial search yielded 934 publications; 64 “potentially relevant papers” and 21 “effective” papers formed the basis of this review. Personality traits and social support lead to development of positive coping methods in cancer patients. Overriding influences are benefit finding and meaning making. Specific coping processes were identified to be significantly associated with posttraumatic growth in patients suffering from different cancers and a need for additional prospective research regarding specific processes and outcomes among oral cavity cancer patients. A proposed theoretical model based on the evidence of management of other cancer research fields is suggested for patients with OCC.ConclusionAn evidence-based review of coping strategies related to posttraumatic growth was performed which identified key coping strategies and factors that enhance coping processes. A conceptual model of coping strategies to enhance posttraumatic growth in OCC patients based on the scientific evidence attained is suggested to provide a more holistic approach to OCC management.

The roles of hope and optimism on posttraumatic growth in oral cavity cancer patients

To investigate the association of the positive coping strategies, hope and optimism, on posttraumatic growth (PTG) in oral cavity (OC) cancer patients. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted and performed in the outpatient station of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China. Fifty patients successfully treated for OC cancer were recruited after their informed consents had been obtained during the review clinic. During their regular follow-up controls in the outpatient clinic, the patients compiled the posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI) questionnaire, hope scale (HS) and the life orientation scale-revised (LOT-R). Hope and optimism correlated significantly positive with PTG and accounting together for a 25% variance of posttraumatic growth. Hope positively correlated with posttraumatic growth (r=.49, p<.001) as well as optimism (r=.31, p<.05). When compared to unmarried patients, married patients showed high levels of PTG and hope (married participants: mean=53.15, SD=11.04; unmarried participants: mean=41.00, SD=6.36; t (48)=2.403, p<.05). Hope and optimism represent important indicators for PTG in OC cancer patients. An intact dyad relationship seems to be important for hope and consecutive higher levels of PTG when compared to unmarried patients. Supportive psychological treatment strategies related to these two coping factors might be beneficial for OC cancer patients.

Prevalence of oral cancer, oral potentially malignant disorders and other oral mucosal lesions in Cambodia

ABSTRACT Objectives: To obtain data on the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) among Cambodians, and to assess the relationship between known risk habits of oral diseases with prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Design: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study whereby subjects were adults aged 18 years old and above. A workshop on the identification of OML was held to train and calibrate dental officers prior to data collection in the field. Sociodemographic and risk habits data were collected via face-to-face interview, whilst presence of OML and clinical details of lesions such as type and site were collected following clinical oral examination by the examiners. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 12.0. The association between risk habits and risk of OPMD was explored using logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 1634 subjects were recruited. Prevalence of OML for this population was 54.1%. Linea alba was the most common lesion seen (28.7%). This study showed an overall OPMD prevalence of 5.6%. The most common type of OPMD was leukoplakia (64.8%), followed by lichen planus (30.8%). Subjects who only smoked were found to have an increased risk for OPMD of almost four-fold (RR 3.74, 95%CI 1.89–7.41). The highest risk was found for betel quid chewers, where the increased risk observed was more than six times (RR 6.75, 95%CI 3.32–13.72). Alcohol consumption on its own did not seem to confer an increased risk for OPMD, however when practiced concurrently with smoking, a significant risk of more than five times was noted (RR 5.69 95%CI 3.14–10.29). Conclusion: The prevalence of OML was 54.1%, with linea alba being the most commonly occurring lesion. Smoking, alcohol consumption and betel quid chewing were found to be associated with the prevalence of OPMD, which was 5.6%.

Post-traumatic growth in oral cavity cancer in relation to positive coping strategies, hope and optimism

Effective cancer management nowadays is no more just defined by patients’ 5-year survival rate, by being alive without disease, and by their recurrence rate or their postoperative measurement of biological functioning but also by their quality of life (QoL) and their level of psychological distress. Since several decades, the significance of the posttraumatic growth (PTG) concept in cancer patients has become acknowledged in various cancer research fields, particularly also in oral cavity cancer (OCC) patients. A qualitative cross-sectional study in OCC patients showed that those capable to dispose the positive coping strategies showed positive personal changes (=PTG) with regard to life appreciation, relation to others, personal sense, sense of new opportunities, and spirituality in the aftermath of cancer. Further cross-sectional studies investigating the influence of hope and optimism, two positive coping strategies, onto PTG were performed in patients of Chinese ethnicity in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Whereas optimism did not, the pathway dimension of hope seemed to be significantly correlated to PTG. The latter stands for affording effective methods to accomplish predetermined objectives. The appraisal of hope and optimism related to their eventual influence on OCC patients’ negative coping strategies, depression, and anxiety yielded interesting results. First, whereas hope and optimism together significantly predicted anxiety in patients, they only exhibited a minor connotation independently. Second, the “agency” component of hope, representing the motivation to start and maintain energy to accomplish aims, significantly predicted depression, a finding in line with results from other cancer research fields. As cross-sectional studies do not allow causal relationships, no time-dependent interactions or developments between positive and negative coping processes and PTG can be illuminated. Therefore, future prospective studies tackling these topics will be necessary to shed some light inside this still vast unexplored field of PTG research in OCC. PTG is not a direct result of the trauma, but it emerges due to struggling and coping efforts with challenging living situations. Psychosocial interventions fostering patients’ motivation, direction, and understanding from diagnosis onward during the course of cancer disease might be considered important for positive personal changes parallel to the significant negative impact of the disease, all negative experiences. Clinicians who understand this process might get valuable information about their patients’ coping and adaptation, hence their PTG, by simply asking them for positive changes they perceived. List of Abbreviations HADS Hospital anxiety and depression scale HS Hope scale *Email: zwahlen@hku.hk Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-08613-2_47-1 # Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015