Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31959129›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2020

Improving management of comorbidity in patients with colorectal cancer using comprehensive medical assessment: a pilot study.

Virginia Signal, Christopher Jackson, Louise Signal, Claire Hardie, Kirsten Holst, Marie McLaughlin, Courtney Steele, Diana Sarfati

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
0.5field-weighted citation impact, top 39% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 4 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Impact of COVID-19 related movement restrictions on the follow-up care visits of adults with chronic conditions: A Saudi arabian survey study.Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society · 2023
    Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Virginia SignalDepartment of Public Health, University of Otago, PO Box 7343, South, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand. virginia.signal@otago.ac.nz.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5529-7444
Christopher JacksonDepartment of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin: Southern Blood and Cancer Service, Southern District Health Board, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Louise SignalDepartment of Public Health, University of Otago, PO Box 7343, South, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand.
Claire HardieSchool of Medicine and Health Sciences at Palmerston North, University of Otago, Wellington: Cancer Screening Treatment and Support, MidCentral District Health Board, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Kirsten HolstElder Health, MidCentral District Health Board, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Marie McLaughlinDepartment of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin: Older Persons Health, Southern District Health Board, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Courtney SteeleDepartment of Public Health, University of Otago, PO Box 7343, South, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand.
Diana SarfatiDepartment of Public Health, University of Otago, PO Box 7343, South, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand.
University of Otago · NZPalmerston North Hospital · NZSouthern District Health Board · NZ

Funding

Otago School of Medical Sciences NoneUniversity of Otago Wellington Deans Grant None
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundScreening for and active management of comorbidity soon after cancer diagnosis shows promise in altering cancer treatment and outcomes for comorbid patients. Prior to a large multi-centre study, piloting of the intervention (comprehensive medical assessment) was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of the comorbidity screening tools and proposed outcome measures, and the feasibility, acceptability and potential effect of the intervention.

methodsIn this pilot intervention study, 72 patients of all ages (36 observation/36 intervention) with newly diagnosed or recently relapsed colorectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled and underwent comorbidity screening and risk stratification. Intervention patients meeting pre-specified comorbidity criteria were referred for intervention, a comprehensive medical assessment carried out by geriatricians. Each intervention was individually tailored but included assessment and management of comorbidity, polypharmacy, mental health particularly depression, functional status and psychosocial issues. Recruitment and referral to intervention were tracked, verbal and written feedback were gathered from staff, and semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 13 patients to assess screening tool and intervention feasibility and acceptability. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Patients were followed for 6-12 months after recruitment to assess feasibility of proposed outcome measures (chemotherapy uptake and completion rates, grade 3-5 treatment toxicity, attendance at hospital emergency clinic, and unplanned hospitalisations) and descriptive data on outcomes collated.

resultsOf the 29 intervention patients eligible for the intervention, 21 received it with feedback indicating that the intervention was acceptable. Those in the intervention group were less likely to be on 3+ medications, to have been admitted to hospital in previous 12 months, or to have limitations in daily activities. Collection of data to measure proposed outcomes was feasible with 55% (6/11) of intervention patients completing chemotherapy as planned compared to none (of 14) of the control group. No differences were seen in other outcome measures. Overall the study was feasible with modification, but the intervention was difficult to integrate into clinical pathways.

conclusionsThis study generated valuable results that will be used to guide modification of the study and its approaches prior to progressing to a larger-scale study.

trial registrationRetrospective, 26 August 2019, ACTRN12619001192178.

Indexed as

Independent Medical EvaluationMental HealthQuality of LifeAgedColorectal NeoplasmsComorbidityDisease ManagementFeasibility StudiesFemaleGeriatric AssessmentHumansMaleOutcome Assessment, Health CarePilot ProjectsSurveys and QuestionnairesChemotherapy toleranceComorbidityHealth servicesInterventionsNeoplasmsQuality improvement

Identifiers

PMID31959129
PMCPMC6971855
OpenAlexW3002462796

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.