Symptom Distress (symptom + distress)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Terms modified by Symptom Distress

  • symptom distress scale

  • Selected Abstracts


    Symptom experience associated with immunosuppressive drugs after liver transplantation in adults: possible relationship with medication non-compliance?

    CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2008
    G. Drent
    Abstract:, Symptom experience (occurrence and perceived distress) associated with side effects of immunosuppressive medications in organ transplant patients may well be associated with poorer quality of life and medication non-compliance. The aims of this study were: first, to assess symptom experience in clinically stable adult patients during long-term follow-up after liver transplantation; and second, to study the relationship between symptom experience and medication non-compliance. This cross-sectional study included 123 liver transplant patients. Symptom experience was assessed using the "Modified Transplant Symptom Occurrence and Symptom Distress Scale" (29-item version) at the annual evaluation. According to the duration of follow-up, patients were divided into a short-term (1,4 yr) and a long-term (5,18 yr) cohort. Medication non-compliance was measured using electronic monitoring. Results showed that increased hair growth was the most frequent symptom in both sexes. Symptom distress was more serious in women than in men. The most distressing symptom in women was excessive and/or painful periods, while in men this was impotence. Clear differences were revealed at item level between symptom occurrence and symptom distress in relationship with the two time cohorts and between sexes. No relationship was found between symptom experience and prednisolone non-compliance. [source]


    Older patients' experiences of treatment for colorectal cancer: an analysis of functional status and service use

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 5 2004
    C. BAILEY msc, rgn
    Age and ageing are an important part of the context within which the care and treatment of people with cancer is provided. More information is needed about the effects of cancer treatment on the lives of older people following inpatient care. We conducted a 3-year study in which older people with colorectal cancer completed a detailed questionnaire on multidimensional function and service use before and after elective treatment. Here we present an analysis of changes in functional status and service use over the pre- to post-treatment period, and set out a detailed picture of older people's experiences before and after treatment. In total, 337 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma aged 58,95 years were interviewed before treatment using the OARS Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (OMFAQ), Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) and a severity of morbidity score. Study end points were defined as post-treatment functional status, symptom distress, severity of morbidity and frequency of service use. Pre- and post-treatment data were compared using matched analyses. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between age and the main outcome measures, and frequency of service use after treatment was compared between age groups using the ,2 test. Overall, patients experienced both positive and negative outcomes following treatment. It was notable that patients aged ,,75 years showed improvement in only one of the principal outcome measures. Patterns of service use following treatment suggest that support at home is a key issue for patients. With the exception of nursing care, however, help at home is provided on a majority of occasions by families themselves. This raises important questions about how much preparation patients and families receive or would like before they leave hospital after treatment for cancer. A collaborative, family-centred approach to meeting people's needs is called for in the months following inpatient care. [source]


    Health-related quality of life, symptom distress and sense of coherence in adult survivors of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 2 2001
    L. Edman
    This is the first Swedish study to evaluate the health-related quality of life and sense of coherence in adult survivors of allogeneic, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Twenty-five recipients completed three questionnaires 2,4 years after the transplantation. The questionnaires used were the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), the Symptom Frequency Intensity and Distress (SFID-BMT) scale and the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale measuring subjective functional status, symptom distress and coping ability. Impairments in functional status were found, as compared with a population norm. The most common impairments were found in the areas of social interaction and sleep and rest. Eye problems, dry mouth, cough, sexual problems, tiredness, anxiety and changes of taste were symptoms reported by more than half of the patients. Despite impaired functioning and a high incidence of symptoms, the general health was described as quite good or excellent by 80% (n = 20) of the patients. The majority (20/22) had also been able to return to work or to attend school. No difference in the sense of coherence was seen, as compared with the population norm. Functional impairments were significantly correlated to a lower degree of sense of coherence. [source]


    Patient Response to the Fast-Track Experience

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 2003
    Jane Flanagan
    PURPOSE To describe patients' functional health, symptom distress, and recovery at home across a fasttrack perioperative experience. METHODS A nonexperimental, descriptive, correlational design using pre/post test measures and openended questions captured the fast-tracking experience. A convenience sample included 77 patients entering the same-day surgery unit to undergo arthroscopy with general anesthesia and planned fast-track recovery. In the preadmission test area, patients were asked by a nurse to participate in the study. If they agreed and met selection criteria, a nurse completed a demographic sheet, the Foster and Jones Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screeing Tool (FHPAST), and the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS). On the evening of surgery, a nurse called the patient to review the SDS to be completed by phone. At 72 hours after surgery, the FHPAST, the SDS, and a 72-hour open-ended questionnaire were administered to understand the patient experience of fast-tracking. FINDINGS At 12 hours nurses reported patients were "euphoric" and it was difficult to imagine pain or other symptoms. Some patients complained of nausea and fatigue. Most patients had family present. At 72 hours patients described unmet expectations, fatigue, immobility, ineffective pain management, sleep disturbance, and nausea. Interventions included teaching, coaching, and reassurance. Some patients continued to have nursing problems at 72 hours and benefited from a telephone follow-up call. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary results suggest that nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes can be used to describe patient responses to the fast-track experience. Results indicate a need for practice changes to include innovative models and further research to measure outcomes. Fast-tracking can be effective, but requires clinical reasoning by nurses to guide the individual's healing. A coaching intervention seems to enhance patient satisfaction and a sense of being cared for. [source]


    Post-discharge health care needs of patients after lung cancer resection

    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 17-18 2010
    Kwua-Yun Wang
    Aims and objective., To determine the health care needs of patients after surgical resection of lung cancer at discharge and evaluate the significance of factors associated with such needs. Background., Other studies have found that symptom distress level, social supports and health beliefs are associated with health care needs. Design., Sixty-two participants were recruited from a thoracic surgery clinic at a medical centre in Taipei from July,December 2005. Data related to demographic variables, disease characteristics, functional status, symptom distress and social support were collected. Methods., The patients were administered the Karnofsky Performance Scale, the Symptom Distress Scale,Chinese Modified Form, the Social Support Scale (adapted from the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List), the Health Needs Scale and self-reported rating scales for pain. Data were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficients and linear regression models. Results., Pulmonary function was found to be correlated with the level of need for health care information and physiological care. Self-perceived symptom distress and degree of distress were also correlated with levels of need for information, physiological care and psychosocial care. The level of pain was found to be correlated with the level of need for health care information and physiological care. After controlling for pain level, multivariate analysis revealed that self-perceived symptom severity (p = 0·032) and degree of distress (p = 0·043) were modestly correlated with the need for health care. Conclusions., Pulmonary function, self-perceived symptom distress, degree of distress and level of pain were correlated with the level of need for health care information and physiological care. Self-perceived symptom severity and degree of distress were independent predictors of health care needs. Relevance to clinical practice., Administration of relevant questionnaires to assess postoperative symptom distress may be necessary for optimal disease management. [source]


    The fatigue experiences of older Taiwanese women with breast cancer

    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5-6 2010
    Sung-Ling Tsai
    Aims and objectives., This study explored the fatigue experiences in older Taiwanese women with breast cancer. Background., Cancer is a common disease for older people, and breast cancer ranks second in occurrence among all cancers. Fatigue is the most frequently seen symptom, with more than 90% of cancer patients having such experiences. Fatigue may lead to functional dependence, affecting the care and quality of life for this older population. Design., A qualitative design was used in this study. Methods., In-depth interviews were conducted with participants being treated at the oncology outpatient department in a teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Data were collected from November 2006,March 2007. Results., The study included 15 women, aged 65,82, with breast cancer. Analysis of the interviews revealed three themes: factors related to fatigue, interpretation of fatigue and ways to deal with fatigue. The factors related to fatigue arose from treatment, symptom distress and the impact of their emotions. Participants interpreted the fatigue as an inevitable normal reaction, and they were embarrassed to share its occurrence with others. Although fatigue made participants suffer, they found the ways to decrease the feeling of fatigue using psychological adjustments, practical changes and support systems. Conclusions., Facing the multilayered influences from treatments and ageing, older women with breast cancer considered fatigue as a physical and psychological expression. By raising the awareness of fatigue, nurses can help this older population manage or relieve fatigue by controlling symptoms, providing emotional support and making related resources available. Relevance to clinical practice., The results of this study can enhance the sensitivity and evaluation abilities of nurses in dealing with the cancer-related fatigue in older women with breast cancer. [source]


    Multidimensional patterns of change in outpatient psychotherapy: The phase model revisited

    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 9 2007
    Niklaus Stulz
    In this study, groups of psychotherapy outpatients were identified on the basis of shared change patterns in the three dimensions of the phase model of psychotherapeutic outcome: well-being, symptom distress, and life functioning. Treatment courses provided by a national provider network of a managed care company in the United States (N = 1128) were analyzed using growth mixture models. Several initial patient characteristics (treatment expectations, amount of prior psychotherapy, and global assessment of functioning) allowed for the discrimination between three patient groups of shared change patterns. Those patterns can be classified into three groups as phase model consistent, partial rapid responders, or symptomatically highly impaired patients with each having typical change patterns. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 817,833, 2007. [source]


    Outpatient versus inpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized study of symptom occurrence, symptom distress and general state of health during the first post-operative week

    JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 4 2008
    Cajsa Barthelsson
    Abstract Background, Few randomized clinical trials focus on patients' symptoms of the first post-operative week following outpatient (OPS) versus inpatient (IPS) laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The objective was to compare these treatment modalities with regard to patients' perceptions of pain and other post-operative symptoms, amount of distress, level of anxiety and general state of health during the first post-operative week. Methods, One hundred patients were randomized. Seventy-three LC patients were valid for efficacy (OPS n = 34, IPS n = 39). Data were collected by means of questionnaires. Results, The main result was that no differences were seen between the groups regarding the occurrence of post-operative symptoms or symptom distress. Approximately 90% of the patients in both groups perceived pain, reduced mobility and tiredness on day 1. Nausea and loss of appetite were reported by half of the patients. Post-operative day 1, both groups reported much or very much distress related to pain and reduced mobility (approximately 40%) and nausea (approximately 20%). Although both groups reported less symptoms on day 7, one-third still experienced pain, but only one patient reported this to be distressing. Conclusion, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients in both groups recover equally well, indicating that a greater proportion of LC patients should be offered the outpatient modality. [source]


    THE THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE IN HOME-BASED FAMILY THERAPY: IS IT PREDICTIVE OF OUTCOME?

    JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 1 2002
    Lee N. Johnson
    This study examined the association between the therapeutic alliance in family therapy and changes in symptom distress, interpersonal relationships, and family coping. The participants (N = 81) were members of low socioeconomic status families referred to a university clinic for in-home family therapy. Participants completed the Outcome Questionnaire, Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation, and the Family Therapy Alliance questionnaires. Regression analyses revealed that the therapeutic alliance explained 19% of the variance in symptom distress changes for mother, 55% for fathers, and 39% for adolescents. The implications of these findings for practicing and researching family therapy are presented. [source]


    Study of the Factors Affecting Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents After Liver Transplantation

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2009
    R. M. Taylor
    The aim of the study was to identify factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adolescents after liver transplantation. HRQL was measured using the CHQ-CF87 in 55 adolescents, aged 12,18 years. Factors associated with HRQL included allograft morbidity, psychological and family-related variables measured through standardized questionnaires. The domains of the CHQ-CF87 were reduced using factor analysis to give physical, psychological and social domains. Impacting factors were identified through stepwise, multiple regression analysis. Adolescents had significantly lower HRQL in every domain except for role/social-behavior and family cohesion compared to the general population. Adolescents experienced median 18 (range 4,31) symptoms related to immunosuppression, 40(75%) had one or more chronic illnesses related to immunosuppression and 12(22%) had a history of emotional difficulties. Self-esteem and emotional health were similar to the general population but behavior and aspects of family function were lower. Following regression analysis, the factors associated with HRQL were: age at transplant, secondary chronic illness, symptom distress, headaches, history of emotional difficulties, self-esteem and family conflict. These explained 57% of the variance in physical function, 61% of psychological function and 39% of social function. HRQL is significantly reduced in adolescents after transplantation, which could be related to immunosuppression and psychosocial factors. [source]


    Quality of life among patients with Stage II and III breast carcinoma randomized to receive high-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow support or intermediate-dose chemotherapy,,

    CANCER, Issue 8 2005
    Leukemia Group B 906, Results from Cancer
    Abstract BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) after treatment among patients who had breast carcinoma with multiple positive lymph nodes. The patients were randomized to receive either high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support (HDC) or intermediate-dose chemotherapy (IDC) in the adjuvant setting. METHODS Two hundred forty-six patients with AJCC Stage IIA, IIB, or IIIA breast carcinoma who had , 10 positive lymph nodes and who were participants in Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9082 were enrolled in this companion study, CALGB 9066. Patients were randomized to receive either high-dose cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and cisplatin (CPA/cDDP/BCNU) and autologous bone marrow transplantation (the HDC arm) or intermediate-dose CPA/cDDP/BCNU as consolidation to adjuvant chemotherapy (the IDC arm). QOL was assessed at baseline and at 3 months, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months using the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC), the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS)-Self Report, and the McCorkle Symptom Distress Scale (SDS). RESULTS At the 3-month assessment, patients in the HDC arm demonstrated significant worsening of QOL compared with the IDC arm in terms of their physical well being (FLIC, P = 0.023), social functioning (FLIC, P = 0.026; PAIS, P < 0.0001), symptom distress (SDS, P = 0.0002), and total QOL scores (FLIC, P = 0.042). At 12 months, the differences in QOL scores between the HDC arm and the IDC arm had resolved. CONCLUSIONS Patients who received more intensive adjuvant therapy experienced transient declines in QOL. By 12 months after therapy, QOL was comparable between the 2 arms, regardless of therapy intensity, and many QOL areas were improved from baseline. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source]


    Symptom experience associated with immunosuppressive drugs after liver transplantation in adults: possible relationship with medication non-compliance?

    CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2008
    G. Drent
    Abstract:, Symptom experience (occurrence and perceived distress) associated with side effects of immunosuppressive medications in organ transplant patients may well be associated with poorer quality of life and medication non-compliance. The aims of this study were: first, to assess symptom experience in clinically stable adult patients during long-term follow-up after liver transplantation; and second, to study the relationship between symptom experience and medication non-compliance. This cross-sectional study included 123 liver transplant patients. Symptom experience was assessed using the "Modified Transplant Symptom Occurrence and Symptom Distress Scale" (29-item version) at the annual evaluation. According to the duration of follow-up, patients were divided into a short-term (1,4 yr) and a long-term (5,18 yr) cohort. Medication non-compliance was measured using electronic monitoring. Results showed that increased hair growth was the most frequent symptom in both sexes. Symptom distress was more serious in women than in men. The most distressing symptom in women was excessive and/or painful periods, while in men this was impotence. Clear differences were revealed at item level between symptom occurrence and symptom distress in relationship with the two time cohorts and between sexes. No relationship was found between symptom experience and prednisolone non-compliance. [source]