Clinical and Communication Factors Associated With Family Conflict in Palliative Care Units: A Survey of Bereaved Families in Japan.

Background: Family conflict is a common problem in palliative care and has been identified as a potential barrier to providing appropriate care. Several demographic factors associated with family conflict have been reported; however, associated clinical factors, including symptoms, treatments, and communication, remain to be elucidated.

Aims: The aim of this study was to identify symptoms, treatments, and communication factors associated with family conflict in palliative care units (PCUs).

Longitudinal changes in delirium motor subtypes among patients with advanced cancer in inpatient hospice and palliative care units: A secondary analysis of a multicenter cohort study.

Purpose: The stability of delirium motor subtypes in palliative care is unknown. We examined the longitudinal changes in delirium motor subtypes during palliative care unit stay.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a multicenter observational study involving patients with advanced cancer.

Association between baseline inflammation and the effectiveness of nutritional support among terminally ill patients with cancer: A secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Inflammatory status may influence the response to nutritional support. We aimed to determine associations between calorie intake and survival considering serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels among advanced cancer patients.

Methods: Data on characteristics and CRP levels were obtained at baseline.

Effectiveness of Systemic Corticosteroids in Managing Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Cancer-related neuropathic pain (CR-NP) is challenging to manage, and the effectiveness of corticosteroids remains underexplored.

Objectives: This study investigated the analgesic and functional benefits of corticosteroids in CR-NP.

Methods: This multicenter, prospective observational study enrolled patients with CR-NP who initiated or escalated corticosteroid therapy.

Clinical Implications of the C-Reactive Protein-Albumin Ratio as a Prognostic Marker in Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer.

Few studies investigated the clinical implications of C-reactive protein-albumin ratio (CAR) in palliative care. To determine the association of CAR with overall survival among terminally ill patients with cance. Datasets were obtained through two multicenter prospective cohort studies.

An international study of clinical, demographic, and competence-related determinants of communication with professionals.

Purpose: This study aims to identify a combination of clinical, demographic, and patient competence determinants of patients' communication with doctors and nurses in an international sample of cancer patients.

Methods: For our cross-sectional study, cancer patients assessed their communication with their doctors or nurses at the start of their treatment. Patients completed EORTC communication questionnaire QLQ-COMU26 to assess ten areas of communication with their doctor or nurses plus another item to assess how competent they felt when communicating with professionals.

Factors Associated with Multimodal Care Practices for Cancer Cachexia among Pharmacists.

Pharmacists' roles in cachexia care are unclear. This study aimed to clarify the knowledge and practice of cachexia care and identify factors related to the practice of cachexia care among pharmacists. Information on the knowledge and practice of cachexia care was obtained.

Trigger point injections for myofascial pain in terminal cancer: a randomized trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single trigger point injection (TPI) of a local anesthetic for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in patients with incurable cancer.

Methods: This multicenter, exploratory, open-label, randomized comparative trial was conducted in five specialized palliative care departments. Hospitalized patients with incurable cancer who had been experiencing pain related to MPS were randomized to receive either a TPI of 1% lidocaine plus conventional care (TPI group) or conventional care alone (control group).

Prognostic Impact of Malignant Wounds in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Malignant wounds are lesions caused by metastasis from distant primary cancers or by direct invasion of the cutaneous structures of a primary cancer, and are most common in patients with breast or head and neck cancers. Malignant wounds not only cause physical symptoms, but also affect survival. Recognizing prognosis in terminal-stage cancer patients is necessary for both patients and health care providers.

Myofascial pain syndrome in patients with cancer: a narrative review.

Purpose: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome. The purpose of this review is to describe the epidemiological and treatment evidence and to address the future research agenda in patients with cancer.

Methods: A narrative review of previous reports investigating the prevalence and treatment of MPS in the oncology field is presented.

The safety and effectiveness of naldemedine for opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced cancer in real-world palliative care settings: a multicenter prospective observational study.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of naldemedine for treating opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with advanced cancer, who are receiving palliative care, and particularly explored its early effects.

Methods: Palliative care teams and inpatient palliative care units across 14 institutions in Japan were included in this multicenter, prospective, observational study. Patients who were newly prescribed a daily oral dose of 0.

Statistical Analysis Methods and Reporting of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Randomized Controlled Trials for Cancer Conducted in Japan: A Systematic Review.

The Setting International Standards in Analyzing Patient-Reported Outcomes and Quality of Life Endpoints Data (SISAQOL) initiative was established in 2016 to assess the quality and standardization of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data analysis in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on advanced breast cancer. The initiative identified deficiencies in PRO data reporting, including nonstandardized methods for handling missing data. This study evaluated the reporting of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Japanese cancer RCTs to provide insights into the state of PRO reporting in Japan.

Narrative review of malignant ascites: epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment.

Background And Objective: Malignant ascites (MA) is common in patients with advanced cancer, and about 60% of patients with MA experience distressing symptoms. In addition, MA has been identified as a poor prognostic factor, therefore, making the management of MA an important issue. We aimed to review literature describing MA provide a narrative synthesis of relevant studies.

Impacts of fluid retention on prognostic abilities of cachexia diagnostic criteria in cancer patients with refractory cachexia.

Background & Aims: The international cancer cachexia criteria with a cutoff of 5% weight loss (WL) was proposed in Western patients. The Asian Working Group for Cachexia (AWGC) developed new criteria in Asian patients. The AWGC criteria are not cancer-specific and employ a cutoff of 2% WL.

Investigating the efficacy and safety of olanzapine prophylaxis for opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (JORTC-PAL20): a study protocol for an open-label, single-arm exploratory study.

Introduction: In opioid therapy for cancer pain, opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (OINV) occur in 20%-40% of patients during initial opioid treatment or increasing opioid doses. OINV result in failure to achieve pain relief due to poor opioid adherence. Therefore, antiemetics are used to prevent OINV, but their efficacy and safety in this context have not yet been fully elucidated.

Fluid retention and weight loss in refractory cancer cachexia.

Objectives: It is unknown to what extent the fluid retention (FR) status disrupts the detection of weight loss rate (WLR) in adult patients with advanced cancer. This study aimed to determine the association of FR status with WLR.

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Symptoms and Prognoses of Patients With Breast Cancer and Malignant Wounds in Palliative Care Units: The Multicenter, Prospective, Observational EASED Study.

Background: This study sought to investigate the symptoms and prognoses of patients with breast cancer and malignant wounds in the palliative care unit setting.

Methods: This study was a sub-group analysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational study. Patients admitted to 23 palliative care units in Japan between January and December 2017 were enrolled.