AIM: To describe clinical characteristics of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with pain and those wishing to discuss pain concerns during consultation. METHODS: Cross-sectional, questionnaire study using University of Washington Quality of Life, version 4 (UW-QOL) and the Patients Concerns Inventory (PCI) in disease-free, post-treatment HNC cohort. Significant pain on UW-QOL and indicating "Pain in head and neck" and "Pain elsewhere" on PCI. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-seven patients completed UW-QOL and PCI. The prevalence of self-reported pain issues was 38% (67/177) comprising 25% (44/177) with significant problems despite medications and 13% (23/177) with lesser or no problems but wishing to discuss pain. Patients aged under 65 years and patients having treatment involving radiotherapy were more likely to have pain issues. Just over half, 55% (24/44) of patients with significant pain did not express a need to discuss this. Those with significant pain or others wanting to discuss pain in clinic had greater problems in physical and social-emotional functioning, reported suboptimal QOL, and also had more additional PCI items to discuss in clinic compared to those without significant pain and not wishing to discuss pain. CONCLUSION: Significant HNC-related pain is prevalent in the disease-free, posttreatment cohort. Onward referral to a specialist pain team may be beneficial. The UW-QOL and PCI package is a valuable tool that may routinely screen for significant pain in outpatient clinics.
AIM: To describe clinical characteristics of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with pain and those wishing to discuss pain concerns during consultation. METHODS: Cross-sectional, questionnaire study using University of Washington Quality of Life, version 4 (UW-QOL) and the Patients Concerns Inventory (PCI) in disease-free, post-treatment HNC cohort. Significant pain on UW-QOL and indicating "Pain in head and neck" and "Pain elsewhere" on PCI. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-seven patients completed UW-QOL and PCI. The prevalence of self-reported pain issues was 38% (67/177) comprising 25% (44/177) with significant problems despite medications and 13% (23/177) with lesser or no problems but wishing to discuss pain. Patients aged under 65 years and patients having treatment involving radiotherapy were more likely to have pain issues. Just over half, 55% (24/44) of patients with significant pain did not express a need to discuss this. Those with significant pain or others wanting to discuss pain in clinic had greater problems in physical and social-emotional functioning, reported suboptimal QOL, and also had more additional PCI items to discuss in clinic compared to those without significant pain and not wishing to discuss pain. CONCLUSION: Significant HNC-related pain is prevalent in the disease-free, posttreatment cohort. Onward referral to a specialist pain team may be beneficial. The UW-QOL and PCI package is a valuable tool that may routinely screen for significant pain in outpatient clinics.
Entities:
Keywords:
Head and neck cancer; Health related quality of life; Mouth neoplasm; Pain; Patient Concerns Inventory; Quality of life; Questionnaire
Authors: Andrew G Shuman; Sonia A Duffy; David L Ronis; Susan L Garetz; Scott A McLean; Karen E Fowler; Jeffrey E Terrell Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2010-06 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: Simon N Rogers; Suzanne Gwanne; Derek Lowe; Gerry Humphris; Beven Yueh; Ernest A Weymuller Journal: Head Neck Date: 2002-06 Impact factor: 3.147
Authors: Thales Salles Angelim Viana; Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva; Karuza Maria Alves Pereira; Mario Rogério Lima Mota; Ana Paula Negreiros Nunes Alves; Eric Fernandes de Souza; Fabricio Bitu Sousa Journal: Asian Pac J Cancer Prev Date: 2017-08-27