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OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of sarcopenia (demographical, anthropometric measurements, tumor-related clinical characteristics, performance status, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels in individuals with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study selected diagnosed with HNSCC (n = 125). Sarcopenia was defined as low muscle strength and low physical performance. Association between sarcopenia and anthropometric assessments (weight, height, body mass index, triceps skinfold, mid-upper arm circumference [MUAC], mid-upper arm muscle circumference, mid-upper arm fat area [UFA], mid-upper arm bone free muscle area, calf circumference, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass and index), tumor clinical characteristics (anatomical site, tumor size, and cervical metastasis), performance status scale (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status [ECOG-PS]), and CRP and albumin levels was analyzed using binary logistic regression models. RESULTS: The diagnosis of sarcopenia was identified in 28 (22.4%) individuals with HNSCC. Being an older adult increases the odds of association with sarcopenia in individuals with HNSCC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05). Increments in MUAC measurement reduce the odds of association with sarcopenia (OR = 0.69), while the increase in the UFA measurement increases the odds of association with sarcopenia (OR = 1.33). Poor ECOG-PS scores increase the odds of association with sarcopenia in individuals with HNSCC (OR = 5.54). CONCLUSION: Early identification of easy-to-perform, cost-effective predictors of sarcopenia tends to favor the implementation of personalized therapeutic and supportive interventions in individuals with HNSCC.

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PURPOSE: Sarcopenia is a muscle dysfunction that increases negative outcomes in patients with cancer. However, its diagnosis remains uncommon in clinical practice. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) is a questionnaire to assess the functional status, but it is unknown if is comparable with sarcopenia. We aimed at comparing ECOG-PS with sarcopenia to predict 12-month mortality in patients with cancer. METHODS: Cohort study including older adult patients with cancer in treatment (any stage of the disease or treatment) at a reference hospital for oncological care. Socio-demographic, clinical, and anthropometric data, muscle mass, and physical function variables (handgrip strength [HGS] and gait speed [GS]) were collected. Skeletal muscle quantity and quality were assessed by computed tomography at the L3. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the EWGSP2. ECOG-PS and all-cause mortality were evaluated. The Cox proportional hazards model was calculated. RESULTS: We evaluated 159 patients (69 years old, 55% males). Low performance (ECOG-PS ≥ 2) was found in 23.3%, 35.8% presented sarcopenia, and 22.0% severe sarcopenia. ECOG-PS ≥ 2 was not an independent predictor of mortality. Sarcopenia, severe sarcopenia, and probable sarcopenia has increased by 3.25 (confidence interval, CI 95% 1.55-6.80), 2.64 (CI 95% 1.23-5.67), and 2.81 (CI 95% 1.30-6.07) times the risk of mortality, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia, but not ECOG-PS, was a predictor of mortality. Therefore, ECOG-PS was not similar to sarcopenia to predict mortality in patients with cancer.

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BACKGROUND AND AIM: The selection of appropriate criteria is essential to accurately identify cancer patients eligible for home parenteral nutrition (HPN). In this study, the association between Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Scale scores and outcomes in cancer patients on HPN was evaluated. METHODS: Retrospective-observational-longitudinal-analytical study of a database of adult cancer patients on HPN. The variables analyzed were sex, age, cancer diagnosis, cancer location (digestive tract and genitourinary), nutritional status, including initial weight (IW), at the start of HPN), usual weight (UW) and IW/UW ratio, and body mass index (BMI) at the start of HPN. Performance status was assessed with the KPS scale. Type of catheter used, number of days on HPN and clinical progression of cancer patients were also studied. RESULTS: Data of 41 cancer patients (60.8% female) were evaluated. Mean age at the start of HPN was 60.45 years. Cancer location was digestive tract (n = 36; 87.8%); gynecologic (n = 4; 9.7%), urinary tract (n = 1; 2.4%). Median IW was 55 kg (45; 64) and BMI was 20 (17.58; 22.84). The IW/UW ratio was -15 kg (-20;-10). The catheters used were peripherally inserted central catheter (n = 30; 73.2%), tunneled (n = 9; 22%) and port (n = 2; 4.8%). The median duration of HPN was 72 days (30; 159). The KPS results showed that 16 cancer patients (39%) had KPS scores ≤50, 17 (41.5%) requiring HPN were discharged and 24 (58.5%) died. The association between disease progression and KPS scores ≤50 was significant (p = 0.025; OR (95% CI): 5.28 (1.07; 36.18). CONCLUSION: The KPS scale is a reliable tool to identify cancer patients eligible for HPN. Cancer patients with ≤50 scores had a five-fold increased risk of death than patients with >50 scores.

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AIM: This study evaluated the association between risk of malnutrition and performance status, and mortality in hospitalized breast cancer patients. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with hospitalized breast cancer patients evaluated at a referral Cancer Center. The Risk of malnutrition was assessed by the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and performance status was determined using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale (ECOG PS). Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors associated with death, using the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) as an effect measure. RESULTS: A total of 195 woman were included, with a mean age of 56.3 (±12.6) years. Patients with an overall PG-SGA score ≥18 (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.03-4.62) and ECOG PS ≥ 3 (OR: 3.34; 95% CI: 1.48-7.52) had a higher occurrence of death during hospitalization, regardless of age or disease stage. The concomitant presence of these two factors improved the accuracy of the association (OR: 5.32; 95% CI: 3.11-9.76) and showed good predictive accuracy (C-statistics: 0.77). CONCLUSION: Nutritional risk and poor performance status were associated with a higher occurrence of death in women with breast cancer. The use of these two indicators improves their predictive accuracy for mortality.

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CONTEXT: In advanced cancer, although performance status (PS), systemic inflammatory response and nutritional status are known to have prognostic value, geographical variations and sociodemographic indexes may also impact survival. OBJECTIVES: This study compares validated prognostic factors in two international cohorts and establishes a prognostic framework for treatment. METHODS: Two international biobanks of patients (n=1.518) with advanced cancer were analyzed. Prognostic factors (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status [ECOG-PS], body mass index [BMI] and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score [mGPS]) were assessed. The relationship between these and survival was examined using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. RESULTS: According to multivariate analysis, in the European cohort the most highly predictive factors were BMI <20 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.644), BMI 20-21.9 kg/m2 (HR 1.347), ECOG-PS (HR 1.597-11.992) and mGPS (HR 1.843-2.365). In the Brazilian cohort, the most highly predictive factors were ECOG-PS (HR 1.678-8.938) and mGPS (HR 2.103-2.837). Considering gastrointestinal cancers in particular (n=551), the survival rate at 3 months in both cohorts together ranged from 93% (mGPS 0, PS 0-1) to 0% (mGPS 2, PS 4), and from 81% (mGPS 0, BMI >28 kg/m2) to 44% (mGPS 2, BMI <20 kg/m2). CONCLUSION: The established prognostic factors that were compared had similar prognostic capacity in both cohorts. A high ECOG-PS and a high mGPS as outlined in the ECOG-PS/mGPS framework were consistently associated with poorer survival of patients with advanced cancer in the prospective European and Brazilian cohorts.

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BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are a heterogeneous population with short lifespan. We aimed to develop methods to better differentiate patients whose survival was >90 days. METHODS: We evaluated 83 characteristics of 106 treatment-naïve, stage IV NSCLC patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) >1. Automated machine learning was used to select a model and optimize hyperparameters. 100-fold bootstrapping was performed for dimensionality reduction for a second ("lite") model. Performance was measured by C-statistic and accuracy metrics in an out-of-sample validation cohort. The "lite" model was validated on a second independent, prospective cohort (N = 42). Network analysis (NA) was performed to evaluate the differences in centrality and connectivity of features. RESULTS: The selected method was ExtraTrees Classifier, with C-statistic of 0.82 (p < 0.01) and accuracy of 0.81 (p = 0.01). The "lite" model had 16 variables and obtained C-statistic of 0.84 (p < 0.01) and accuracy of 0.75 (p = 0.039) in the first cohort, and C-statistic of 0.706 (p < 0.01) and accuracy of 0.714 (p < 0.01) in the second cohort. The networks of patients with lower survival were more interconnected. Features related to cachexia, inflammation, and quality of life had statistically different prestige scores in NA. CONCLUSIONS: Machine learning can assist in the prognostic evaluation of advanced NSCLC. The model generated with a reduced number of features showed high accessibility and reasonable metrics. Features related to quality of life, cachexia, and performance status had increased correlation and importance scores, suggesting that they play a role at later disease stages, in line with the biological rationale already described.

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Alcohol-associated liver disease is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease. It comprises a clinical-histologic spectrum of presentations, from steatosis, steatohepatitis, to different degrees of fibrosis, including cirrhosis and severe necroinflammatory disease, called alcohol-associated hepatitis. In this focused update, we aim to present specific therapeutic interventions and strategies for the management of alcohol-associated liver disease. Current evidence for management in all spectra of manifestations is derived from general chronic liver disease recommendations, but with a higher emphasis on abstinence and nutritional support. Abstinence should comprise the treatment of alcohol use disorder as well as withdrawal syndrome. Nutritional assessment should also consider the presence of sarcopenia and its clinical manifestation, frailty. The degree of compensation of the disease should be evaluated, and complications, actively sought. The most severe acute form of this disease is alcohol-associated hepatitis, which has high mortality and morbidity. Current treatment is based on corticosteroids that act by reducing immune activation and blocking cytotoxicity and inflammation pathways. Other aspects of treatment include preventing and treating hepatorenal syndrome as well as preventing infections although there is no clear evidence as to the benefit of probiotics and antibiotics in prophylaxis. Novel therapies for alcohol-associated hepatitis include metadoxine, interleukin-22 analogs, and interleukin-1-beta antagonists. Finally, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, microbiota transplantation, and gut-liver axis modulation have shown promising results. We also discuss palliative care in advanced alcohol-associated liver disease.

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Introduction: The Karnofsky Performance Status Scale is a relevant functional evaluation instrument that can be used to determine which patients should be followed by multidisciplinary palliative care teams. Objective: To analyze the clinical outcomes of patients with performance status lower than 70%, according to the Karnofsky Scale, who received care from a palliative care team compared to those who did not receive care from a palliative care team. Methods: In this retrospective cohort, follow-up of cancer patients by the palliative care team for 10 days was considered the exposure factor, while the dependent variable was patient survival. Data were extracted from medical records and descriptive and survival curve analyses were conducted. Results: Among 581 participants in the sample, 42.5% had metastasis, and the most prevalent medical diagnosis was gastrointestinal cancer (29.1%). Fifty-one (8.7%) were followed by the palliative care team. The mortality rate during the 10 days in the sample was 10.8%, and the rate was higher (15.7%) among patients followed by the palliative care team. Conclusion: Patients with a performance status below 70% who were followed by the palliative care team had poorer clinical conditions and a shorter survival than those who were not followed up by the team.

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RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar se as escalas de desempenho físico funcional e a pergunta surpresa ("Eu ficaria surpreso se esse paciente morresse em 6 meses?") predizem limitações de suporte de vida e mortalidade em pacientes críticos não cirúrgicos. Metódos: Participaram desta coorte prospectiva 114 pacientes admitidos do serviço de emergência em uma unidade de terapia intensiva. O desempenho físico funcional foi avaliado pelo Palliative Prognostic Score, pela Escala de Desempenho de Karnofsky e pela escala de Atividades de Vida Diária de Katz. Dois intensivistas responderam à pergunta surpresa. Resultados: Os escores de desempenho físico funcional propostos foram significativamente menores em pacientes com limitações de suporte de vida e naqueles que vieram a óbito durante a hospitalização. A resposta negativa à pergunta surpresa foi mais frequente no mesmo subgrupo de pacientes. A análise univariada ajustada mostrou aumento da razão de chances para limitações de suporte de vida e morte em relação à escala de Atividades de Vida Diária (1,35 [1,01 - 1,78] e 1,34 [1,0 - 1,79], respectivamente) e uma resposta negativa para a pergunta surpresa (42,35 [11,62 - 154,43] e 47,79 [11,41 - 200,25], respectivamente), com p < 0,05 para todos os resultados. Conclusão: Todas as escalas de desempenho físico funcional apresentaram escores mais baixos em não sobreviventes e em pacientes com limitações de suporte de vida. A redução da capacidade funcional prévia à internação e a resposta negativa à pergunta surpresa aumentaram as chances de limitações de suporte de vida e mortalidade em nossa coorte de pacientes não cirúrgicos da unidade de terapia intensiva com entrada no serviço de emergência.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess whether scales of physical functional performance and the surprise question ("Would I be surprised if this patient died in 6 months?") predict life support limitations and mortality in critically ill nonsurgical patients. Methods: We included 114 patients admitted from the Emergency Department to an intensive care unit in this prospective cohort. Physical functional performance was assessed by the Palliative Prognostic Score, Karnofsky Performance Status, and the Katz Activities of Daily Living scale. Two intensivists responded to the surprise question. Results: The proposed physical functional performance scores were significantly lower in patients with life support limitations and those who died during the hospital stay. A negative response to the surprise question was more frequent in the same subset of patients. Adjusted univariable analysis showed an increased odds ratio for life support limitations and death regarding the activities of daily living scale (1.35 [1.01 - 1.78] and 1.34 [1.0 - 1.79], respectively) and a negative response for the surprise question (42.35 [11.62 - 154.43] and 47.79 [11.41 - 200.25], respectively); with a p < 0.05 for all results. Conclusion: All physical functional performance scales showed lower scores in nonsurvivors and patients with life support limitations. The activities of daily living score and the surprise question increased the odds of life support limitations and mortality in our cohort of nonsurgical intensive care unit patients admitted from the Emergency Department.

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Com o envelhecimento ocorrem complicações que afetam a funcionalidade e a independência dos indivíduos, muitas vezes sendo necessário o acompanhamento contínuo por profissionais da saúde, entre eles o fisioterapeuta. Diante disso, objetivou-se verificar a sobrevida, a funcionalidade e a ocorrência de comorbidades em indivíduos idosos acompanhados pelo serviço de Fisioterapia domiciliar. Um estudo com delineamento transversal foi realizado com 121participantes de um Serviço de Atenção Domiciliar, utilizando a Karnofsky Performance Scale para verificar a funcionalidade, e o Índice de Comorbidades de Charlson para avaliar as multimorbidades. Constatou-se que aproximadamente metade dos participantes apresentou cronicidade funcional, com condição potencialmente incapacitante, com piora dos índices de funcionalidade em indivíduos que sofreram alguma intercorrência. Os resultados demonstraram também que o acesso à Fisioterapia aumentou a taxa de sobrevida dos idosos e que o acompanhamento fisioterapêutico mais frequente possibilitou que a funcionalidade se mantivesse.

With aging, there are complications affecting the functionality and independence of individuals, often requiring continuous monitoring by health professionals, including the physical therapist. The objective was to analyze survival, functionality and the occurrence of comorbidities in elderly individuals monitored by the home physical therapy service. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 121 participants from a home care service, using the Karnofsky Performance Scale to check functionality, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index to assess multimorbidity. It was found that approximately half of the participants evaluated had functional chronicity, with potentially disabling condition, with worsening of functionality indices in individuals who have suffered some complication. The results also demonstrated that access to physical therapy increased the survival rate of the elderly and that the more frequent physical therapy follow-up enabled the functionality to be maintained.

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BACKGROUND: Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are standard treatments for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with poor performance status (PS) are underrepresented in clinical trials. We evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICIs in a real-world setting. METHODS: We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study to assess clinical outcomes of NSCLC treated with ICIs. We categorized pts within two groups (PS 0-1 vs 2) and assessed clinical outcomes and safety. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty nine patients were included, 44 patients (16.4%) had baseline PS 2 and 223 patients (82.9%) PS 0-1. The overall response rate (ORR) was 30.4%, median PFS was 7.26 months (95% CI 5.1-9.4), and median OS was 15.18 months (95% CI 9.5-20.9). Patients with a PS 2 were most likely to received ICIs in the second or later line (84.1% vs 64.6%; p = 0.01), had baseline steroids (21.4% vs 8.2%; p 0.010), lower response rate (16.7% vs 34.5%; p 0.02) and clinical benefit (35.7% vs 71%; p 0.000) compared to PS 0-1 pts. Moreover, PS ≥ 2 patients had shorter PFS, median 2.2 months (95% CI 1.3-3.1) compared to 9.9 months (95% CI 6.7-13.1] and shorter OS, 3.3 months (95% CI 2.6-4.2) versus 24.1 months (95% CI 16.1-32.1), respectively. PS was significantly associated with PFS and OS in multivariate analysis. As it was expected, immunotherapy was well tolerated with a safety profile comparable to the previous published data. CONCLUSION: Based on these retrospective results, patients with poor baseline performance status seem to have poor clinical outcomes with ICIs in the real-world setting.

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Introducción: Los Gliomas son tumores primarios del sistema nervioso central. Son clasificados del I-IV grado, siendo los de alto grado el III y IV los más frecuentes y de pobre pronostico. Objetivo: Determinar los factores pronósticos de supervivencia en pacientes por gliomas de alto grado en un hospital de Lima, Perú. Métodos: Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas con glioma de alto grado del 2010-2014, se analizaron diez variables; con graficas de supervivencia de Kaplan-Meiery Long-rank y el modelo de regresión de Cox. Resultados: De un total de 278 pacientes con gliomas de alto grado 136 fueron varones y 142 mujeres. El análisis de la Supervivencia Libre de Progresión(SLP) tuvo un rango de 5,6-80,3 (mediana 22,7) y el análisis de supervivencia global (PS) tuvo un rango de 4-83,2 (mediana 26,2) meses. La supervivencia global para el tumor de IV grado fue 15,7 meses (IC95% 14,2-17,1); el III grado fue de 38,4 meses (IC 95% 35,8-40,9). El grado (PS: HR 15; SLP: HR 25,1); el tratamiento quirúrgico (PS: HR 0,6; SLP: HR 0,49), edad (PS: HR 1,47; SLP: HR 1,7), tratamiento adyuvante(PS: HR 0,6; SLP: HR 0,58) y karnofsky (PS: HR 0,7) tuvieron correlación; mientras el Karnofsky para SLP no (P=0,146). Conclusión: La edad, el estado funcional, el tratamiento quirúrgico, el tratamiento adyuvante y el grado del tumor son factores pronósticos de PS; en contraste, para SLP los factores pronósticos fueron la edad, tratamiento quirúrgico, tratamiento adyuvante y el grado del tumor.

Introduction: Gliomas are primary tumors of the central nervous system. They are classifiedfrom grade I-IV, with high grade III and IV being the most frequent and with poor prognosis. Objective: To determine the prognostic factors of survival in patients with high-gradegliomas in a hospital in Lima, Peru. Methods: The medical records with high-grade gliomafrom 2010-2014 were retrospectively reviewed, ten variables were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier and Log Rank survival graphs and the Cox regression model. Results: Out of a total of278 patients with high-grade gliomas, 136 were men and 142 women. The analysis of Progression-Free Survival (SLP) had a range of 5.6-80.3 (median 22.7) and the analysis ofoverall survival (PS) had a range of 4-83.2 (median 26, 2 months. The overall survival for theIV grade tumor was 15.7 months (95% CI 14.2-17.1); the III degree was 38.4 months (95%CI 35.8-40.9). The grade (PS: HR 15; SLP: HR 25.1); surgical treatment (PS: HR 0.6; SLP:HR 0.49), age (PS: HR 1.47; SLP: HR 1.7), adjuvant treatment (PS: HR 0.6; SLP: HR 0 , 58)and karnofsky (PS: HR 0.7) were correlated; while the Karnofsky for SLP does not (P =0.146). Conclusion: age, functional status, surgical treatment, adjuvant treatment, and tumorgrade are prognostic factors for PS. In contrast, for SLP the prognostic factors were age,surgical treatment, adjuvant treatment, and tumor grade.

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Introdução: Os cuidados paliativos para pacientes oncológicos têm por finalidade promover a qualidade de vida por meio do controle de sinais e sintomas, melhoria do bem-estar físico, emocional, social e espiritual. Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de pacientes oncológicos em cuidados paliativos. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, transversal, de abordagem quantitativa, realizada com 21 pacientes internados em uma unidade de cuidados paliativos. Foram coletados dados sobre aspectos sociodemográficos e clínicos, e utilizada a escala do European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core15 PAL (EORTC QLQ C-15 PAL) para avaliação da qualidade de vida. Resultados: A média de saúde global foi de 60,32, sendo a qualidade de vida considerada satisfatória. Na escala de sintomas, os domínios mais afetados foram dor (52,38), constipação (46,03) e fadiga (42,86). A função emocional (37,30) mostrou-se pior do que a avaliação da função física (59,79). Houve relação significativa do tempo de diagnóstico com a qualidade de vida geral e a dispneia do performance status de Karnofsky(KPS) com o funcionamento físico, bem como da presença de metástase com dispneia. Conclusão: A qualidade de vida deve ser avaliada diariamente, visto que os cuidados paliativos consideram, além dos sintomas, o conforto do próprio paciente durante o estado de doença que ameaça à vida e as intervenções efetivas de cuidados, permitindo assim o direcionamento da atuação da equipe multiprofissional.

Introduction: Palliative care for cancer patients aims to promote quality of life, by controlling signs and symptoms, improving physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of cancer patients in palliative care. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative approach study, conducted with 21 patients admitted to a palliative care unit. Data on sociodemographic and clinical aspects were collected, using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core15 PAL (EORTC QLQ C-15) PAL scale to assess quality of life. Results: The average global health was 60.32, with quality of life considered satisfactory. In the symptom scale, the most affected domains were pain (52.38), constipation (46.03) and fatigue (42.86). Emotional function (37.30) was assessed worse than physical function (59.79). There was a significant relationship between the time of diagnosis with the general quality of life and dyspnea, of Karnofsky(KPS) performance status, with physical functioning, and presence of metastasis with dyspnea. Conclusion: Quality of life should be assessed daily, as palliative care considers, in addition to symptoms, the patient's own comfort during a life-threatening illness and effective care interventions, helping the multiprofessional team to focus their action.

Introducción: Los cuidados paliativos para pacientes con cáncer tienen como objetivo promover la calidad de vida, controlando los signos y síntomas, mejorando el bienestar físico, emocional, social y espiritual. Objetivo: evaluar la calidad de vida de los pacientes con cáncer en cuidados paliativos. Método: Este es un enfoque descriptivo, transversal y cuantitativo, realizado con 21 pacientes ingresados en una unidad de cuidados paliativos. Se recopilaron datos sobre aspectos sociodemográficos y clínicos, utilizando la escala del European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core15 PAL (EORTC QLQ C-15 PAL) para evaluar la calidad de vida. Resultados: La salud global promedio fue de 60.32, con calidad de vida considerada satisfactoria, en la escala de síntomas los dominios más afectados fueron dolor (52.38), estreñimiento (46.03) y fatiga (42.86). La función emocional (37.30) se evaluó peor que la función física (59.79). Hubo una relación significativa entre el momento del diagnóstico y la calidad de vida general y la disnea, del performance status de Karnofsky(KPS) con el funcionamiento físico, así como la presencia de metástasis con disnea. Conclusión: La calidad de vida debe evaluarse diariamente, como lo consideran los cuidados paliativos, además de los síntomas, así como la propia comodidad del paciente durante una enfermedad potencialmente mortal e intervenciones de atención efectivas, lo que permite la dirección del desempeño del equipo multiprofesional.

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Abstract Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a potentially fatal hematological disease. Along with disease-related factors, patient-related factors, in particular age, are a strong predictor of outcome that influence treatment decisions. Many acute myeloid leukemia risk stratification models have been developed to predict the outcome of intensive chemotherapy. However, these models did not include physical function assessments. Methods This study investigated the impact of several factors, namely the performance status, physical function and age on the short-term outcomes of intensive chemotherapy in a cohort of 50 Egyptian patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia. Results Complete remission after intensive chemotherapy in these myeloid leukemia patients at Day 28 was 56% and the mortality rate was 12% and 34% at Day 28 and Day 60, respectively. The pretreatment Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score was significantly correlated with outcomes on Day 28 and Day 60 (p-value = 0.041 and p-value = 0.032, respectively). There were significant correlations between the two-minute walk test and outcomes of therapy on Day 28 and 60 (p-value = 0.032 and p-value = 0.047, respectively) and between grip strength test and outcomes of therapy on Day 28 and 60 (p-value = 0.046 and p-value = 0.047 respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between chair stand test and outcome of therapy on Day 28 (p-value = 0.023). Conclusion Performance status and physical function assessments were strong predictors of outcome of intensive chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia and we recommend the incorporation of these variables in risk stratification models for the personalization of therapy before treating acute myeloid leukemia patients with intensive chemotherapy.

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BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a potentially fatal hematological disease. Along with disease-related factors, patient-related factors, in particular age, are a strong predictor of outcome that influence treatment decisions. Many acute myeloid leukemia risk stratification models have been developed to predict the outcome of intensive chemotherapy. However, these models did not include physical function assessments. METHODS: This study investigated the impact of several factors, namely the performance status, physical function and age on the short-term outcomes of intensive chemotherapy in a cohort of 50 Egyptian patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia. RESULTS: Complete remission after intensive chemotherapy in these myeloid leukemia patients at Day 28 was 56% and the mortality rate was 12% and 34% at Day 28 and Day 60, respectively. The pretreatment Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score was significantly correlated with outcomes on Day 28 and Day 60 (p-value = 0.041 and p-value = 0.032, respectively). There were significant correlations between the two-minute walk test and outcomes of therapy on Day 28 and 60 (p-value = 0.032 and p-value = 0.047, respectively) and between grip strength test and outcomes of therapy on Day 28 and 60 (p-value = 0.046 and p-value = 0.047 respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between chair stand test and outcome of therapy on Day 28 (p-value = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Performance status and physical function assessments were strong predictors of outcome of intensive chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia and we recommend the incorporation of these variables in risk stratification models for the personalization of therapy before treating acute myeloid leukemia patients with intensive chemotherapy.

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Administration of chemotherapy in prostate cancer depends on patient fitness. In unfit patients, physiological impairment determines the optimum treatment. Although no consensus on assessing patient fitness currently exists, this article proposes an algorithm combining the available information for administering chemotherapy, and in particular docetaxel, in unfit patients. It was constructed by reviewing factors that can influence treatment, such as performance status, taxane-related comorbidities and nutritional status. Geriatric scales for prostate cancer patients and alternative treatment regimens for this population are also reviewed. In summary, patients require overall assessment to optimise treatment. Use of docetaxel should be restricted in unfit patients, and other options must be evaluated, because of high toxicity and low efficacy.

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Introducción. El dolor es el principal síntoma que se presenta en el 40% de los pacientes oncológicos en tratamiento y en entre el 80% y el 85% de pacientes con la enfermedad avanzada. Dentro de las herramientas farmacológicas, los opioides son una opción con los consecuentes efectos secundarios, momento en el cual los procedimientos intervencionistas adquieren su importancia. El objetivo del artículo es mostrar el impacto sobre el control del dolor y la calidad de vida en paciente con dolor oncológico abdominal sometido a bloqueo celíaco o hipogástrica en un periodo de 3 meses, con el fin de generar conocimiento del tema en el área de la salud. Metodología. Se realizó una serie descriptiva de casos en un período de 3 meses. Se incluyeron 34 pacientes adultos con dolor abdominal de origen oncológico, con propuesta de bloqueo neurolítico de plexos celíacos o hipogástrico superior como método de control del dolor y se realizó un análisis de las variables en el programa estadístico IBM SPSS Versión 19. Resultados. Se encontró alivio del dolor en el 79.4% de los pacientes intervenidos al poco tiempo del procedimiento y de 33.3% a los 3 meses. No se encontró significante mejoría en la calidad de vida evaluada con el cuestionario SF-36. Conclusiones. Se encontró en este estudio que pacientes con índice de Karnofsky <50 tuvieron alta tasa de mortalidad posterior al bloqueo. La técnica de fenolización más radiofrecuencia podrían tener mejor respuesta terapéutica. Son necesarios más estudios para evaluar posibles asociaciones. Cómo citar. Jaimes J, Leotau MA, Rangel GW, Miranda N, García-Salazar N, Rangel-Vera JA. Efectividad del bloqueo neurolítico simpático abdominal en una serie de casos descriptiva en pacientes con dolor oncológico. MedUNAB. 2019;22(3):330-340. doi: 10.29375/01237047.3337

Introduction. Pain is the main symptom that occurs in 40% of cancer patients undergoing treatment and between 80% and 85% of patients with advanced cancer. Out of the pharmacological tools, opioids are an option with secondary effects, which makes interventional procedures important. The objective of the article is to demonstrate the impact of celiac or hypogastric plexus block in a three-month period on the pain control and quality of life of patients with abdominal oncological pain in order to generate knowledge of this topic in the healthcare sector. Methodology. A descriptive case series was conducted in a three-month period. Thirtyfour adult patients with oncological abdominal pain with proposed celiac or superior hypogastric plexus block as a method of pain control were included and an analysis was conducted of the variables in the statistical program IBM SPSS Version 19. Results. Pain relief was found in 79.4% of the treated patients shortly after the procedure and in 33.3% of the treated patients after 3 months. No significant improvement was evidenced in the quality of life evaluated with the SF-36 questionnaire. Conclussions. The study found that patients with a Karnofsky performance score of < 50 had a high mortality rate after the block. The technique of phenolization and radiofrequency could have a better therapeutic response. More studies are needed to assess possible associations. Cómo citar. Jaimes J, Leotau MA, Rangel GW, Miranda N, García-Salazar N, Rangel-Vera JA. Efectividad del bloqueo neurolítico simpático abdominal en una serie de casos descriptiva en pacientes con dolor oncológico. MedUNAB. 2019;22(3):330-340. doi: 10.29375/01237047.3337

Introdução. A dor é o principal sintoma que ocorre em 40% dos pacientes oncológicos em tratamento e entre 80% e 85% dos pacientes com a doença avançada. Dentro das ferramentas farmacológicas, os opióides são uma opção com consequentes efeitos colaterais, momento em que os procedimentos intervencionistas se tornam importantes. Objetivo. O objetivo do artigo é mostrar o impacto no controle da dor e na qualidade de vida em pacientes com dor oncológica abdominal submetido a bloqueio celíaco ou do plexo hipogástrico em um período de 3 meses, a fim de gerar conhecimento sobre o assunto na área da saúde. Métodos. Foi feita uma série descritiva de casos durante um período de 3 meses. Foram incluídos 34 pacientes adultos com dor abdominal de origem oncológica, com proposta de bloqueio neurolítico do plexo celíaco ou hipogástrico superior como método de controle da dor e a análise das variáveis foi realizada no programa SPSS statistic 19 IBM. Resultados. Observou-se alívio da dor em 79.4% dos pacientes operados logo após o procedimento e em 33.3% 3 meses depois. Não houve melhora significativa na qualidade de vida avaliada com o questionário SF-36. Discussão. Encontrou-se neste estudo que pacientes com índice de Karnofsky > 50 apresentaram alta taxa de mortalidade após o bloqueio. A técnica de fenolização e a radiofrequência poderiam ter melhor resposta terapêutica. Mais estudos são necessários para avaliar possíveis associações. Cómo citar. Jaimes J, Leotau MA, Rangel GW, Miranda N, García-Salazar N, Rangel-Vera JA. Efectividad del bloqueo neurolítico simpático abdominal en una serie de casos descriptiva en pacientes con dolor oncológico. MedUNAB. 2019;22(3):330-340. doi: 10.29375/01237047.3337

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Object: Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis (LCM) represents a state of systemic malignant disease with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to compare overall survival (OS) between intraventricular chemotherapy through Ommaya reservoir (OR) and chemotherapy through lumbar puncture (LP) in LCM. Patients and Methods: Forty adult patients with LCM were included. All patients underwent lumbar puncture and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirty patients received chemotherapy through LP and 10 undergone colocation of Ommaya reservoir for intraventricular chemotherapy. Results: The most common symptom was headache (Present in 50%). The cranial nerves most affected were VI and VII. Leptomeningeal enhancement was the most frequent finding in MRI. The OS in the LP group was 4 months and Ommaya group was 9.2 months (p = 0.0006; CI:1.8-3), with statistical differences in favor to Intraventricular treatment. Proportional hazard regression showed that receiving chemotherapy through Ommaya reservoir was a protective factor (Hazard ratio = 0.258, Standard Error = 0.112, p = 0.002 and 95% CI 0.110-0.606). Using KPS as a factor did not affect the hazard ratio of Ommaya reservoir itself. Conclusions: OS was significantly higher in patients with Ommaya reservoir in spite of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) previous to chemotherapy. Therefore, intraventricular chemotherapy should be preferred over lumbar puncture chemotherapy administration if there are resources available.

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PURPOSE: Although patients with incurable disease and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS ≥ 2) are underrepresented in clinical trials, they are frequently offered palliative chemotherapy (pCT) in daily clinical practice in order to improve symptoms and quality of life. In this case-control retrospective analysis, our goal was to identify factors associated with poorer survival and lack of benefit of pCT in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 2,514 patients who died between August 2011 and July 2012 in an academic cancer care institution and its hospice. A total of 301 patients with solid tumours and ECOG-PS ≥ 2 at prescription of pCT were selected for this case-control retrospective analysis. Cases were defined as patients who survived less than 90 days after the first cycle of first line pCT, and controls were those who had a longer survival. RESULTS: 142 cases and 159 controls were included. Cases were more likely to experience grade ≥ 3 toxicity (43% versus 28%; p = 0.005), die of toxicity (16% versus 6%; p < 0.001) and not be offered best supportive care (BSC) only (47% versus 71%; p < 0.001). Median overall survival was 204 among controls and 34 days in cases (hazard ratio = 0.177; 95%, confidence interval = 0.015-0.033, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified ECOG-PS > 2 (odds ratio (OR) = 2.3, p = 0.044) and serum creatinine (sCr) > 1 mg/dL (OR = 11.2, p < 0.001) as independent predictors of 90-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The independent predictors of short survival (less than 3 months) after initiation of pCT in this population were ECOG-PS > 2 and elevated sCr. Therefore, patient selection is crucial, as pCT may be deleterious in ECOG-PS ≥ 2 pts.

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BACKGROUND: Simple and low-cost tools to monitor the risk profile of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) at high risk of complications and mortality are scarce. One of the tools available to monitor the variation in vitality and dependence levels is the Karnofsky performance status (KPS). This study analyzed the average trends and variation of KPS during the 12 months before death and its independent value in predicting patients' survival. METHODS: The data were compiled from the BRAZPD II multicenter study, performed in Brazil between 2004 and 2011. For the analysis of KPS dynamics, we included patients with at least 12 months of follow-up on PD and who had a fatal event during the follow-up. The following covariables were evaluated: age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, and presence of diabetes. We used the linear regression model to present the results: the log (time) before death was represented by the regression variable and KPS was the response. We also analyzed the independent impact of baseline KPS on patients' survival. RESULTS: From the population of 9,905 patients enrolled in the BRAZPD study, 4,133 survived 12 months on PD and were included in the analysis. There was a gradual decline in the KPS scores, which accelerated in the last 2 months before death. These changes were similar irrespective of age, race, family income, gender, diabetes, PD modality, and education level. We observed 989 fatal events in this population during the observation period, and the KPS score was identified as an independent predictor for mortality in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates for the first time the dynamics of KPS before death in PD patients, indicating a progressive and accelerated decline of KPS in the 12 months before patients died. In addition, KPS was an independent predictor of mortality in this population.

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