Kerstin Belqaid1, Carol Tishelman2, Jenny McGreevy3, Eva Månsson-Brahme4, Ylva Orrevall5, Wendy Wismer6, Britt-Marie Bernhardson7. 1. Medical Management Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: kerstin.belqaid@ki.se. 2. Medical Management Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: carol.tishelman@ki.se. 3. Medical Management Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: jenny.mcgreevy@virginmedia.com. 4. Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: eva.mansson-brahme@karolinska.se. 5. Medical Management Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: ylva.orrevall@ki.se. 6. Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 410 Agriculture/Forestry Centre, Edmonton AB T6G 2P5, Canada. Electronic address: wwismer@ualberta.ca. 7. Medical Management Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: britt-marie.bernhardson@ki.se.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Taste and smell alterations (TSAs) are common symptoms in patients with cancer that may interfere with nutritional intake and quality of life. In this study, we explore and describe how characteristics of self-reported TSAs change in individuals with lung cancer over time using a multiple case study approach to present longitudinal data from individuals. METHODS: Patients under investigation for lung cancer were recruited from one university hospital in Sweden. The 52 patients providing data eligible for the analyses presented here were those treated for primary lung cancer with three measurement time-points, of which one was prior to treatment and two after treatment start. Four self-report instruments were used for data collection. These included the Taste and Smell Survey, used to characterize TSAs for each individual at the three time-points and instruments measuring nutritional status, symptom burden and well-being. Three patient cases are described in detail to illustrate variation in individual experiences of TSAs. RESULTS: The characteristics of the TSAs experienced changed over time for many of the individuals in this study, including those undergoing surgery or stereotactic radiotherapy. The case descriptions show how the individual experiences of TSAs and the impact on daily life of these symptoms not only depend on TSA characteristics, but may be influenced by contextual factors, e.g. other symptoms and life situation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that healthcare professionals need to consider the variation in characteristics of TSAs among and within patients over time, and be attentive to individual experiences of TSAs.
PURPOSE: Taste and smell alterations (TSAs) are common symptoms in patients with cancer that may interfere with nutritional intake and quality of life. In this study, we explore and describe how characteristics of self-reported TSAs change in individuals with lung cancer over time using a multiple case study approach to present longitudinal data from individuals. METHODS:Patients under investigation for lung cancer were recruited from one university hospital in Sweden. The 52 patients providing data eligible for the analyses presented here were those treated for primary lung cancer with three measurement time-points, of which one was prior to treatment and two after treatment start. Four self-report instruments were used for data collection. These included the Taste and Smell Survey, used to characterize TSAs for each individual at the three time-points and instruments measuring nutritional status, symptom burden and well-being. Three patient cases are described in detail to illustrate variation in individual experiences of TSAs. RESULTS: The characteristics of the TSAs experienced changed over time for many of the individuals in this study, including those undergoing surgery or stereotactic radiotherapy. The case descriptions show how the individual experiences of TSAs and the impact on daily life of these symptoms not only depend on TSA characteristics, but may be influenced by contextual factors, e.g. other symptoms and life situation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that healthcare professionals need to consider the variation in characteristics of TSAs among and within patients over time, and be attentive to individual experiences of TSAs.
Authors: Anne Kathrine Larsen; Christine Thomsen; Mathilde Sanden; Lotte Boa Skadhauge; Camilla Bundgaard Anker; Marie Nerup Mortensen; Wender L P Bredie Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2021-06-02 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Javier Amézaga; Begoña Alfaro; Yolanda Ríos; Aitziber Larraioz; Gurutze Ugartemendia; Ander Urruticoechea; Itziar Tueros Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2018-05-31 Impact factor: 3.603