Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Manhattan Beach, CA
Amy Westermann , Lynn McCormick Matrisian , Lola Rahib
Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) and its treatment(s) results in symptom and side effect burden and can impact patient’s overall quality of life (QOL). Methods: Patient reported information on management of side effects and symptoms were collected using PanCAN’s Patient Registry (01/2016 – 07/2018). Results: Patient reported information on side effects, pain and depression is detailed in the table. Side effects: 94% reported fatigue and 8% reported taking anti-fatigue medication. 72% reported nausea or vomiting during treatment and 83% reported taking anti-nausea medication. Pain: Of the 90% of patients who reported pain related to PC, 27% did not take pain medication, 47% visited the ER and 32% were hospitalized due to pain. Depression: Of the 83% of users reported feeling depressed during PC, 46% were diagnosed with depression, 37% prescribed anti-depressant, and 48% did not see a therapist. Conclusions: Nausea was reported as most managed. Fatigue, pain and depression were generally unmanaged. ER visits and hospitalizations due to pain were frequently reported. An improvement in the management of these side effects and symptoms is needed as it can affect patient’s ability to tolerate treatment, improve overall QOL, and may lower overall healthcare costs.
Reported (%) | |
---|---|
Drug Therapy Side Effects | n=770 |
reported fatigue | 721 (94%) |
taking anti-fatigue medication | 64 (8%) |
reported nausea or vomiting | 550 (71%) |
taking anti-nausea medication | 641 (83%) |
reported low blood count | 598 (78%) |
received blood transfusions, Growth Factors, and/or iron infusions | 301 (39%) |
Pain | n=80 |
reported pain related to PC | 74 (93%) |
discussed pain with HCP | 65 (88%) |
HCP recommended or prescribed pain medication | 62 (84%) |
taking/have taken prescribed medication | 54 (73%) |
taking/have taken over the counter medication for pain | 46 (62%) |
did not take pain medication | 20 (27%) |
visited ER | 35 (47%) |
visited ER more than once | 19 (26%) |
hospitalized due to pain | 24 (32%) |
hospitalized due to pain more than once | 14 (19%) |
Depression | n=63 |
felt depressed at some point during PC | 52 (83%) |
diagnosed with depression due to PC | 24 (46%) |
prescribed anti-depressant | 19 (37%) |
not seeing a therapist | 25 (48%) |
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