Fear of Recurrence Impacts Health-Related Quality of Life and Continued Tobacco Use in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors.

Fear of Recurrence Impacts Health-Related Quality of Life and Continued Tobacco Use in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors.

Health Psychol. 2013 Jun 17;
Van Liew JR, Christensen AJ, Howren MB, Hynds Karnell L, Funk GF

Objective: To examine the impact of fear of recurrence (FOR) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and tobacco use among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. Methods: A cross-sectional subset of patients (N = 138) from a large, prospective study of oncologic outcomes in HNC was assessed for FOR, in addition to the parent study’s ongoing assessments of HRQOL and tobacco use. FOR was measured using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory and HNC-specific HRQOL was assessed with the Head and Neck Cancer Inventory (HNCI). Tobacco use was patient-reported as “Current,” “Previous,” or “Never.” Results: After controlling for relevant clinical and demographic variables, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that higher FOR significantly predicted lower HRQOL across all HNCI domains (eating (p < .05), aesthetics (p < .01), speech (p < .01), and social disruption (p = .001)) and increased tobacco use (p < .01). A total of 60.1% of the sample expressed clinically significant levels of FOR. These patients reported lower HRQOL (eating: p < .05, aesthetics: p < .05, social disruption: p < .05) and were more likely to be using tobacco compared with patients with subclinical FOR (26.6% and 4.9%, respectively; p < .01). Conclusions: Results suggest that FOR is prevalent among HNC survivors and is related to decreased HRQOL and increased tobacco use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved). HubMed – eating

 

Gene receptor polymorphism as a risk factor for BMD deterioration in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa.

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2013 Jul; 29(7): 716-9
Stergioti E, Deligeoroglou E, Economou E, Tsitsika A, Dimopoulos KD, Daponte A, Katsioulis A, Creatsas G

Abstract Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that is associated with decreased bone mineral density and greater lifetime risk for fractures. This case-controlled study, analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms of genes encoding vitamin D receptor, estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), collagen type I and calcitonin receptor (CTR). Relationships between genotype and body mass index, cycling status and lumbar spine bone mineral density (LBMD) were determined in 40 adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa and 10 age-matched controls. The distribution of CTR-AluI genotypes differed between groups, but this polymorphism was not associated with LBMD Z-score. Distribution of ESR1-XbaI genotypes did not differ between groups, but the AA genotype was associated with decreased LBMD Z-score (?-1) (OR?=?24.79, 95% CI, 1.01-606.08). Carriers of the A allele were more likely to have decreased LBMD Z-scores compared with carriers of the G allele (OR?=?4.12, 95% CI, 1.23-13.85, p?=?0.022). In conclusion, our study shows that anorexic patients with wild-type genotype ESR-XbaI receptor are in greater risk for decreased BMD in relation to those with the mutated gene. Prompt recognition of these patients is crucial because early administration of the proper therapeutic treatment may contribute to the prevention of adverse sequelae on bone metabolism. HubMed – eating

 

The factor harmful to the quality of human life – shift-work.

Ann Agric Environ Med. 2013 Jun 9; 20(2): 298-300
Strzemecka J, Pencu?a M, Owoc A, Szot W, Strzemecka E, Jab?o?ski M, Bojar I

The system of human activity, which is established by genetics and regulated by outer and inner factors, is associated with many characteristics which maintain the body in the best condition and ensure appropriate life quality. Objective. To evaluate of life quality among male shift-workers. Methods: Research based on a self-devised questionnaire, conducted among 700 shift-workers, followed by statistical analysis of the results. Results. Nearly a half of respondents (43.00%) reported that shift-work influences the quality of their family life. Remarkably, such an opinion was often stated by people with children (46.01%) p<0.05, the divorced (58.22%), married people (44.74%) and bachelors (25.33%), respectively. Fathers usually indicated lack of contact with their family as well as irregular consumption of meals (66.91%). Almost every third respondent noted that their shift type of work negatively influence their sexual life (31.14%). Conclusions. It was shown that shift-work negatively influences the respondents' life quality in the form of deterioration of the quality of family life; the respondents, regardless of marital status, age and having children, most often complained about the lack of contact with the family and irregular eating with them; negative influence on sexual life, which was the case in one-third of respondents. In order to encourage healthy behaviour and increase the quality of life of people performing shift-work, training and programmes should be introduced. These would help shift- workers to adjust their work time to their family and social life. HubMed – eating