Yea-Jyh Chen

Fasting blood glucose level and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

UNLABELLED Diabetes has been consistently linked to many forms of cancers, such as liver, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancer, however, the role of diabetes in outcome among cancer patients remains unclear. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of 342 inpatients newly diagnosed with NSCLC referred by a teaching hospital cancer center in southern Taiwan between 2005 and 2007 to examine the effects of fasting glucose levels at time of cancer diagnosis on overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). All patients were followed up until the end of 2010. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare survival curves for patients with and without diabetes. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios for the association between diabetes, other prognostic factors and patient survival. We observed that significant prognostic factors for poor overall survival in patients with NSCLC included older age, smoking, poor performance status, advanced stage (stage IIIB or IV), and no cancer-directed surgery treatment. Particularly, we identified that diabetic state defined by fasting blood glucose level ≥126 mg/dl was another independent prognostic factor for these patients. Compared with those who had normal range of fasting glucose level (70-99 mg/dl), patients with high fasting glucose level (≥126 mg/dl) had 69% excess risk of all-cause mortality in patients with NSCLC. IN CONCLUSION Diabetes as indicated by elevated fasting blood glucose was independently associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality in patients with NSCLC, indicating that diabetes or hyperglycemia effectively controlled may present an opportunity for improving prognosis in NSCLS patients with abnormal glucose level.

Factors related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease readmission in Taiwan.

This study examines the relationships among physiological, psychological, and social factors and hospital readmission to develop a model predicting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) readmission for 145 patients with COPD following hospital discharge at 14 days and 90 days in Taiwan. Daily functioning, comorbidity, severity of illness, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and perceived informal support were regressed on hospital readmission. Daily functioning was the only significant variable to predict COPD readmission at 90 days in the Taiwan population living in a rural area. Age was significantly correlated with 14 days readmission. Post hoc analyses examined differences in three ethnic groups. Mainlanders perceived less family support, had higher depressive symptoms and lower daily functioning than the majority culture Fukiens and Hakkas, or the Aborigines. The study reinforced the need for identification of cultural differences and low functioning as risk factors for early readmission so they can be addressed in discharge planning.

Predictors of Survival in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine how routine laboratory biomarkers and clinical parameters available within medical records related to overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). DESIGN Retrospective chart review. SETTING University-based cancer center in rural West Virginia. SAMPLE 110 patients from the U.S. Appalachian region with a primary diagnosis of NSCLC at initial hospitalization. METHODS Electronic medical records were reviewed for one year after discharge or until death. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare survival curves for each prognostic factor. Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analyses. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Total white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts; hemoglobin level; body mass index (BMI); performance status; and cancer stage. FINDINGS Low BMI (lower than 18.5 lb/in2), advanced cancer stage (IIIB or IV), and elevated neutrophil (higher than 8 x 103/mcl) and platelet (300-826 x 1012/L) counts were significant, independent prognostic factors for shorter survival time in NSCLC. BMI (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.94, 4.9]) and neutrophil (HR = 2.93, 95% CI [1.53, 5.59]) and platelet (HR = 2.65, 95% CI [1.25, 5.62]) counts were overall prognostic predictors for patients with advanced NSCLC and remained in the multivariate survival model. CONCLUSIONS This study detected two known clinical parameters, cancer stage and nutritional status (i.e., BMI and neutrophil and platelet counts), as having independent prognostic significance for shorter survival in NSCLC. Research on survival in patients with NSCLC should include those identified laboratory biomarkers and clinical parameters for screening patients at risk for shorter survival time following hospitalization. Investigation of whether treatments tailored to address neutrophil and platelet counts and BMI can improve survival outcomes also is warranted. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Attention to common biomarkers recorded in patient charts (e.g., neutrophil and platelet counts) as well as BMI could allow nurses to identify patients at risk for low survival. Interventions should be identified and initiated. Longitudinal studies in clinical settings that follow the survival of patients with NSCLC are essential.

The development and psychometric analysis of the short‐form pulmonary functional status scale (PFSS‐11©)

This article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the short-form Pulmonary Functional Status Scale (PFSS-11©) derived from the previously validated 35-item PFSS, using data from 179 subjects (120 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]/59 normative, non-COPD). Items were extracted based on item-response distribution and commonality >.60. Factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution, accounting for 65.6% of total variance. Construct validity was supported by PFSS-11© scores for COPD versus norms (p < .001). The PFSS-11© was robustly associated with the PFSS-35 (r = .93), accounting for 88% of variance in the longer version. Internal consistency was satisfactory and significant response to treatment was shown by score changes pre/post-rehabilitation. The PFSS-11© has solid psychometric properties useful in research and clinical practice, similar to the PFSS-35.

Developing personal and community learning in graduate nursing education through community engagement.

Community engagement through service-learning was introduced into a graduate program in nursing education to develop student leadership skills, interest in learning, and social responsibility. With faculty expertise and guidance, students worked in partnership with underserved community agencies. The goal of sustainability was accomplished by developing faculty expertise in service-learning as a method of instruction and integrating community engagement into academic assignments within existing courses. Opportunities to reflect on the benefits of the experiences were considered crucial to bridging service to learning in the community. Evaluation findings indicate that students gained insight into community needs and resources as they moved outside traditional health care settings. Graduates increased their understanding of their role as a resource to the community, and community agencies saw the value of a nurse educated at an advanced practice level.

Feasibility Study: Home Telemonitoring for Patients With Lung Cancer in a Mountainous Rural Area

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore the feasibility of rural home telemonitoring for patients with lung cancer. DESIGN Exploratory, descriptive, observational. SETTING Patient homes within a 75-mile radius of the study hospital in West Virginia. SAMPLE 10 patients hospitalized with lung cancer as a primary or secondary-related diagnosis. METHODS Data included referral and demographics, chart reviews, and clinical data collected using a HomMed telemonitor. Five patients received usual care after discharge; five had telemonitors set up at home for 14 days with daily phone calls for nurse coaching; mid- and end-study data were collected by phone and in homes through two months. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Enrollment and retention characteristics, physiologic (e.g., temperature, pulse, blood pressure, weight, O2 saturation) and 10 symptom datapoints, patient and family telemonitor satisfaction. FINDINGS Of 45 referred patients, only 10 consented; 1 of 5 usual care and 3 of 5 monitored patients completed the entire study. Telemonitored data transmission was feasible in rural areas with high satisfaction; symptom data and physiologic data were inconsistent but characteristic of lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS Challenges included environment, culture, technology, and overall enrollment and retention. Physiologic and symptom changes were important data for nurse coaching on risks, symptom management, and clinician contact. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Enrollment and retention in cancer research warrants additional study. Daily monitoring is feasible and important in risk assessment, but length of time to monitor signs and symptoms, which changed rapidly, is unclear. Symptom changes were useful as proxy indicators for physiologic changes, so risk outcomes may be assessable by phone for patient self-management coaching by nurses.

The potential of palliative care for patients with respiratory diseases

Based on the demonstrated effectiveness of palliative care in the alleviation of symptoms and enhancement of life quality, it is important to incorporate palliative care early in the respiratory disease trajectory. Quality palliative care addresses eight domains that are all patient and family centred. Palliative care interventions in respiratory conditions include management of symptoms such as dyspnoea, cough, haemoptysis, sputum production, fatigue and respiratory secretion management, especially as the end-of-life nears. A practical checklist of activities based on the domains of palliative care can assist clinicians to integrate palliative care into their practice. Clinical management of patients receiving palliative care requires consideration of human factors and related organisational characteristics that involve cultural, educational and motivational aspects of the patient/family and clinicians. Educational aims To explain the basic domains of palliative care applicable to chronic respiratory diseases. To review palliative care interventions for patients with chronic respiratory diseases. To outline a checklist for clinicians to use in practice, based on the domains of palliative care. To propose recommendations for clinical management of patients receiving palliative care for chronic respiratory diseases. Early palliative care can relieve suffering and provide support for people with respiratory diseases http://ow.ly/z0Hd30jpsb4

Home-Telemonitoring Lung Cancer Intervention in Appalachia: A Pilot Study

Benefits of home-telemonitoring for rural dwelling cancer patients are largely unknown. This study examined the effectiveness of home-telemonitoring surveillance with nurse coaching for self-management to improve lung cancer outcomes in mountainous Appalachia where health care access/ service is limited. This randomized clinical trial pilot study compared patient outcomes for telemonitoring versus routine care. A convenience sample (N = 47) was enrolled/ randomized (Telemonitored: 26/ Control: 21) from a university hospital and cancer center. Physiologic parameters and symptoms were collected in the telemonitored group for two weeks; all participants were studied for 60 days after the index treatment/ discharge. The telemonitored group showed greater improvement for both functional status (Wald X2 = 3.78, p = .05) and quality of life (QOL) (Wald X2 = 7.25, p = .007) from baseline to 60 days post-discharge. Compared to controls, telemonitored patients survived longer; had more scheduled medical visits (96% vs. 75%); made more unplanned calls to doctors/ nurses (32% vs. 30% & 64% vs. 50%); had fewer rehospitalizations (28% vs. 40%); and had more ER utilization (36% vs. 30%). The telemonitored group had relative improvements for health utility (.09 on a scale where 0 = death/ 1= perfect health) and QOL (15 on 0–100 VAS). Differences in health care utilization and cost were not significantly different (p > .05), likely due to the sample size. Telemonitoring group satisfaction with care was high and recommended by patients and caregivers. Results suggest that it is possible to improve patient outcomes with home-telemonitoring for self-management in rural areas. Short-term, telemonitoring-based coaching is feasible and offers a promising option to develop patient self-management knowledge and skills.