| Time spans from first symptom to treatment in patients with lung cancer--the influence of symptoms and demographic characteristics. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 17882556 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
BACKGROUND: Cancer stage at diagnosis is the most important prognostic factor for lung cancer (LC), but most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease with many and intense symptoms. This study explores relationships between LC patients' first symptoms, symptoms triggering health care system (HCS) contact, demographic/clinical characteristics, and time spans in the care trajectory from first symptom(s) to treatment start. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records were examined from all 314 patients diagnosed with primary LC in 2003 at a Department of Respiratory Medicine, in Stockholm Sweden. Descriptive analysis was used to examine symptoms and time spans in the care trajectory. Cox regression analysis was conducted to explore the influence of symptoms and demographic/clinical characteristics on the time spans. RESULTS: Tumor-specific symptoms led to HCS visits to a greater extent than did systemic symptoms, despite reports of weight loss, fatigue and appetite loss as common first symptoms. Minor differences between women and men were found regarding specific symptoms. The study confirms that the time spans from first symptoms reported to treatment start are extensive, exceeding Swedish national recommendations. A lump/resistance, neurological symptoms, appetite loss, hemoptysis and non-thoracic related pain were associated with significantly shorter time spans in the care trajectory. People >74 years old risked longer time span from first HCS visit to treatment start. CONCLUSION: This study indicates a need for a more efficient LC care trajectory. Elderly patients could be particularly vulnerable for longer time spans. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Malin Lövgren; Helena Leveälahti; Carol Tishelman; Sara Runesdotter; Katarina Hamberg |
Related Documents
:
|
16191146 - Human granulocytic anaplasmosis affecting the myocardium. 8816206 - Prevalence of headache in schoolchildren: relation to family and school factors. 16625956 - Cerviogenic headache. 15984966 - Rates of endoscopy and endoscopic findings among people with frequent symptoms of gastr... 11416946 - Relinquishing in-home dementia care: difficulties and perceived helpfulness during the ... 20197556 - Pediatric palliative care: feedback from the pediatric intensivist community. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) Volume: 47 ISSN: 1651-226X ISO Abbreviation: Acta Oncol Publication Date: 2008 |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2008-08-14 Completed Date: 2008-10-09 Revised Date: 2009-05-12 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 8709065 Medline TA: Acta Oncol Country: Norway |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 397-405 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
The Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden. malin.lovgren@ki.se |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Aged Anorexia / etiology Chest Pain / etiology Cough / etiology Dyspnea / etiology Early Diagnosis Educational Status Fatigue / etiology Female Hemoptysis / etiology Humans Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis, epidemiology*, psychology, therapy Male Marital Status Middle Aged Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data* Proportional Hazards Models Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data Smoking / epidemiology Sweden / epidemiology Time Factors |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Efficacy of preoperative radiochemotherapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma.
Next Document: Measuring side effects after radiotherapy for pharynx cancer.