Christopher Ehret1, Colleen Young2, Christine J Ellefson3, Lee A Aase4, Aminah Jatoi5. 1. Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA. 2. Mayo Clinic Connect, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. 3. Mayo Clinic Connect, Rochester, MN, USA. 4. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. 5. Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are at risk for hiccups, but the incidence and impact on quality of life are unclear. METHODS: A survey (modified from the Functional Living Index with the inclusion of qualitative elements) was developed and launched on an 80,000-member medical social media platform, Mayo Clinic Connect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/. RESULTS: Among 213 respondents, 34 (16%; 95% CI: 11, 22%) reported "yes" that they had experienced hiccups with cancer therapy. Of those patients who reported hiccups, only 12 (35%) were men, and most were older than 50 years of age. Over 25% noted that hiccups occurred frequently around the time of cancer therapy; 30% described that hiccups interfered with their leisure or recreational activities; and over 15% described hiccups interfered with their ability to enjoy a meal. A few patients seemed to express frustration with hiccups with comments such as, "Totally uncontrollable," "It's extremely pain[ful] with throat cancer," and "Once I had them bad. Almost choked." CONCLUSION: Hiccups occur in16% of patients who are receiving cancer therapy and, by our estimates and extrapolation, appear highly problematic in approximately 5%.
BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are at risk for hiccups, but the incidence and impact on quality of life are unclear. METHODS: A survey (modified from the Functional Living Index with the inclusion of qualitative elements) was developed and launched on an 80,000-member medical social media platform, Mayo Clinic Connect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/. RESULTS: Among 213 respondents, 34 (16%; 95% CI: 11, 22%) reported "yes" that they had experienced hiccups with cancer therapy. Of those patients who reported hiccups, only 12 (35%) were men, and most were older than 50 years of age. Over 25% noted that hiccups occurred frequently around the time of cancer therapy; 30% described that hiccups interfered with their leisure or recreational activities; and over 15% described hiccups interfered with their ability to enjoy a meal. A few patients seemed to express frustration with hiccups with comments such as, "Totally uncontrollable," "It's extremely pain[ful] with throat cancer," and "Once I had them bad. Almost choked." CONCLUSION: Hiccups occur in16% of patients who are receiving cancer therapy and, by our estimates and extrapolation, appear highly problematic in approximately 5%.
Entities:
Keywords:
adverse event; chemotherapy; dexamethasone; hiccups; side effect; singultus
Authors: Christopher J Ehret; Yahya Almodallal; Jennifer G Le-Rademacher; Nichole A Martin; Michael R Moynagh; Arush Rajotia; Aminah Jatoi Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2022-06-15 Impact factor: 4.638