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Although being an important part of the psychiatric treatment chain, there are few outcome studies of treatment at psychiatric emergency units (PEU). The aim was to measure changes in psychopathology and humiliation during admission at a... more
Although being an important part of the psychiatric treatment chain, there are few outcome studies of treatment at psychiatric emergency units (PEU). The aim was to measure changes in psychopathology and humiliation during admission at a PEU. The sample consisted of 147 patients examined at admission and discharge. The instruments used were the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-29 (NPI-29), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a combination of questions measuring negative experiences and Cantril's ladder measuring experienced humiliation. Outcome measures were clinically significant improvement [>10% reduction of the BPRS converted (0-100) score] and changes on the other instruments. Median hospitalization time was 13 days (mean 20.4 days). Fifty-six per cent of the patients showed clinical significant improvement (95% CI 48-64%), 42% showed some degree of improvement and 2% were unchanged. The more improved patients had higher scores at admission than those with less improvement on all scales, indicating a floor effect. Small changes were observed for narcissism and experienced humiliation and negative admission events. In multivariate analyses high admission scores on BPRS subscales, thinking disorder and activation and HADS total score were significantly associated with clinically significant improvement. Type and length of admission did not significantly affect the outcome. The BPRS, HADS and NPI-29 scores at discharge were mainly explained by corresponding admission scores. More than half the patients admitted to PEU have clinically significant reduction of psychopathology during their stay. Higher levels of psychopathology at admission were significantly associated with improvement. Negative admission experiences and involuntary admission did not influence outcome.
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Purpose Neuroticism is a basic personality trait characterized by negative emotions triggered by stress such as a breast cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Due to lack of relevant research, the purpose of this study was to examine if... more
Purpose Neuroticism is a basic personality trait characterized by negative emotions triggered by stress such as a breast cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Due to lack of relevant research, the purpose of this study was to examine if high neuroticism is associated with seven common late adverse effects (LAEs) in long-term (≥ 5 years) breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Methods All female Norwegian BCSs aged 20–65 years when diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer in 2011 or 2012 were invited to a questionnaire study in 2019 (N = 2803), of whom 48% participated (N = 1355). Neuroticism was self-rated using the abridged version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and scores dichotomized into high and low neuroticism. LAEs were defined by categorization of ratings on the EORTC QLQ-C30 (cognitive function, pain, and sleep problems) and QLQ-BR23 (arm problems) questionnaires, and categorizations of scale scores on mental distress, fatigue, and neuropathy. Associations between high neu...
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The personality trait of neuroticism is associated with adverse health outcomes after cancer treatment, but few studies concern men treated for prostate cancer. We examined men with high and low neuroticism treated with radical... more
The personality trait of neuroticism is associated with adverse health outcomes after cancer treatment, but few studies concern men treated for prostate cancer. We examined men with high and low neuroticism treated with radical prostatectomy for curable prostate cancer without relapse. We compared overall problems and domain summary scores (DSSs) between these groups, and if high neuroticism at pre-treatment was a significant predictor of overall problems and DSSs at follow-up. A sample of 462 relapse-free Norwegian men self-rated neuroticism, overall problems, and DSSs by the EPIC-26 before surgery and at three years’ follow-up. Twenty-one percent of the sample had high neuroticism. Patients with high neuroticism reported significantly more overall problems and DSSs at pre-treatment. At follow-up, only overall bowel problems and urinary irritation/obstruction and bowel DSSs were different. High neuroticism was a significant predictor of overall bowel problems and bowel and irritati...
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PURPOSE To evaluate whether selected modifiable patient-reported adverse health outcomes (AHOs) in testicular cancer survivors (TCSs) represent prognostic factors of overall mortality, cancer mortality, and first-time non–germ cell second... more
PURPOSE To evaluate whether selected modifiable patient-reported adverse health outcomes (AHOs) in testicular cancer survivors (TCSs) represent prognostic factors of overall mortality, cancer mortality, and first-time non–germ cell second cancer (SecCa) incidence. PATIENTS AND METHODS In 775 long-term TCSs (diagnosis: 1980-1994) who previously participated in a quality-of-life survey, 20-year mortality and SecCa incidence were compared between the surgery group (n = 272) and TCSs after platinum-based chemotherapy (PBCT; n = 503). A PBCT standard group (total cisplatin: ≤ 630 mg: n = 124) was separated from a PBCT high subgroup (total cisplatin: > 630 mg; n = 379). Univariate and multivariate analyses (Kaplan-Meier; Cox proportional hazard analyses) included age, treatment, and prior major physical comorbidity as nonmodifiable factors, whereas low socioeconomic status, unhealthy lifestyle, probable depression disorder, and neurotoxicity were modifiable AHOs. RESULTS For all TCSs, ...
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Background: A major depressive episode (MDE) is typically self-rated by screening forms identifying probable MDE (pMDE). This population-based cross-sectional questionnaire study examined the prevalence rates of pMDE identified by the... more
Background: A major depressive episode (MDE) is typically self-rated by screening forms identifying probable MDE (pMDE). This population-based cross-sectional questionnaire study examined the prevalence rates of pMDE identified by the PHQ-9 screener in long-term survivors of childhood and adolescence (CACSs) and young adult cancer (YACSs) and a normative sample (NORMs). Methods: Data from 488 CACSs, 1202 YACSs, and 1453 NORMs were analyzed, and pMDE was defined both by cut-off ≥10 on the total PHQ-9 score and by an algorithm. Results: The prevalence rates of pMDE among CACSs were 21.5%, 16.6% in YACSs, and 9.2% among NORMs using the cut-off definition. With the algorithm, the prevalence rates of pMDE were 8.0% among CACSs, 8.1% among YACSs, and 3.9% among NORMs. Independent of definition, CACSs and YACSs had significantly increased prevalence rates of pMDE compared to NORMs. Psychosocial factors and self-rated health were significantly associated with both definitions of pMDE in mul...
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Purpose The personality trait of neuroticism represents vulnerability for mental distress to somatic health problems. There are few studies of neuroticism in prostate cancer patients. This study examines the levels of self-reported... more
Purpose The personality trait of neuroticism represents vulnerability for mental distress to somatic health problems. There are few studies of neuroticism in prostate cancer patients. This study examines the levels of self-reported adverse effects (AEs) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP) in Norwegian men with high or low levels of neuroticism. Neuroticism is also compared to relevant factors concerning their associations with various AEs. Methods Among 982 men who had RALP at Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet between 2005 and 2010, 79% responded to a mailed questionnaire in 2011. They rated AEs by completing the EPIC-26 questionnaire, and neuroticism on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). Men with
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Background Most studies of cervical cancer (CC) survivors describe sexual inactivity in relation to treatment modalities, but few consider that inactivity varies with age and partner status. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate... more
Background Most studies of cervical cancer (CC) survivors describe sexual inactivity in relation to treatment modalities, but few consider that inactivity varies with age and partner status. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sexual inactivity in long-term CC survivors according to age and partner status, and to examine cancer-related, health, demographic, and psychological factors related to sexual inactivity. Methods All 974 women treated for CC from 2000 through 2007 in 2 areas of Norway, who were alive and cancer-free by the end of 2013, received a mailed questionnaire. Among them, 523 delivered valid data on current sexual activity (response rate 57%). The prevalence rates of sexual inactivity in relation to age groups and partner status were compared to normative sample (NORMs). Main Outcome Measure Sexual inactivity during the 4 weeks before the survey was administered. Results Median age of the sample at survey was 53 years (range 32–77) and media...
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Purpose Personality traits, particularly neuroticism, have an impact on people’s health and lifestyle. Due to lack of previous studies, we examined old cancer survivors (OCSs) versus cancer-free age-matched controls aged ≥ 70 years,... more
Purpose Personality traits, particularly neuroticism, have an impact on people’s health and lifestyle. Due to lack of previous studies, we examined old cancer survivors (OCSs) versus cancer-free age-matched controls aged ≥ 70 years, regarding prevalence of high neuroticism, health problems in those with high and low neuroticism, and sociodemographic and clinical variables that were significantly associated with high neuroticism. Methods We merged data from a Norwegian population–based health study (the HUNT-3) and from the Cancer Registry of Norway identifying OCSs. Three cancer-free controls were drawn at random for each OCS. Neuroticism was self-rated on a brief version of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Between-group statistical comparisons were made between OCS and controls, and among their subgroups with high and low neuroticism. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate independent variables significantly associated with high neuroticism. Results Twenty-nine per...
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The aim of this study was to examine satisfaction with the quality of the doctor-patient relationship (QCD) and the information (INF) made available, as well as the influence of different treatment modalities and psychosocial variables in... more
The aim of this study was to examine satisfaction with the quality of the doctor-patient relationship (QCD) and the information (INF) made available, as well as the influence of different treatment modalities and psychosocial variables in testicular cancer survivors (TCSs). Two-hundred and 6 TCSs, seen at 2 Norwegian university hospitals, were studied retrospectively and currently in a cross-sectional follow-up design. Questionnaires were filled in prior to and at the patients' follow-up examination. The mean length of time since their management period had ended was 6.5 years (range 0-17 years). The QCD was rated higher than the INF. The QCD was also the strongest contributor to the variance in the INF. The patients in the surveillance group had the lowest QCD. The relatively high QCD scores may reflect the fact that the patients had been cured from a life-threatening disease. The low INF scores may indicate that the TCSs were poorly informed about the potential health problems...
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The purpose of this study is to study the influence of radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer on work status and working life in men 3 years after surgery. In a prospective, questionnaire-based study on adverse effects after RP,... more
The purpose of this study is to study the influence of radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer on work status and working life in men 3 years after surgery. In a prospective, questionnaire-based study on adverse effects after RP, 330 prostate cancer (PCa) patients who had been active in the workforce before RP described their work status 3 years after having surgery. We dichotomized their postoperative work status into "unchanged or increased" versus "reduced." The participants also reported whether their working life was influenced by the PCa trajectory to no, some, or a great extent. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were established with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as independent variables and "work status" or "influence of PCa trajectory on working life" as dependent variables. Twenty-five percent of the participants had retired. Of the remaining participants, approximately 20 % had a reduced work ...
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ABSTRACT Background In men with prostate cancer ( PCa) large variations of patient-reported outcomes ( PROs) after radical prostatectomy (RP) or high-dose radiotherapy (RAD) may be related to between-country differences of pre-treatment... more
ABSTRACT Background In men with prostate cancer ( PCa) large variations of patient-reported outcomes ( PROs) after radical prostatectomy (RP) or high-dose radiotherapy (RAD) may be related to between-country differences of pre-treatment medical and socio-demographic variables , as well as to differences in pre-treatment PROs in the sexual and urinary domain. Methods In 1908 patients with localized PCa from Norway, USA or Spain the relation was investigated between pre-treatment data on medical (PSA, Gleason score , cT-category ) and socio-demographic variables (age, education ,marital status). Using the EPIC questionnaire pre-treatment PROs within the sexual and urinary domain were also considered . Results Compared to the European patients American patients were younger, fewer had co-morbid conditions and more had a high education level. Fifty-three % of the US-men eligible for RP had low-risk tumors compared to 42% and 31% among respectively the Norwegian and the Spanish patients. Among the Spanish RAD patients 54% had had low- risk tumors compared to respectively 34% of the American and 21% of the Norwegian men planned for RAD. Compared to the European patients significantly fewer US patients reported moderate or severe sexual dysfunction and related problems. In most subgroups the number of patients with sexual or urinary dysfunctions exceeded that of patients with bother related to the reported dysfunction. Conclusions Statistically significant between-country differences were observed in pre-treatment medical and socio-demographic variables, as well as in pre-treatment PROs within the sexual and urinary domain. Large differences between reported dysfunction and related problems within the sexual and urinary domain indicate that dysfunction and bother should be reported separately in addition to calculation of summary scores. The documented differences, not at least regarding PROs, may in part explain the large variation of post-treatment side effects evident in the medical literature.
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Research Interests: Urology, Research Design, Brachytherapy, Prostate Cancer, Medicine, and 14 moreProspective studies, Humans, Male, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Middle Aged, Sexual Function, Prospective Study, Generalized estimating equation, Prospective Cohort Study, Prostatic neoplasms, GEE, Prostatectomy, and Paediatrics and reproductive medicine
Research Interests: Sexual Dysfunction, Radiation Therapy, Prostate Cancer, Fatigue, Medicine, and 15 moreCancer treatment, Multivariate Analysis, Norway, Humans, Chronic Disease, Male, Psychosocial, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Cross Section, Cross Sectional Studies, Radical Prostatectomy, Prostatic neoplasms, and Prostatectomy
Although being an important part of the psychiatric treatment chain, there are few outcome studies of treatment at psychiatric emergency units (PEU). The aim was to measure changes in psychopathology and humiliation during admission at a... more
Although being an important part of the psychiatric treatment chain, there are few outcome studies of treatment at psychiatric emergency units (PEU). The aim was to measure changes in psychopathology and humiliation during admission at a PEU. The sample consisted of 147 patients examined at admission and discharge. The instruments used were the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-29 (NPI-29), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a combination of questions measuring negative experiences and Cantril's ladder measuring experienced humiliation. Outcome measures were clinically significant improvement [>10% reduction of the BPRS converted (0-100) score] and changes on the other instruments. Median hospitalization time was 13 days (mean 20.4 days). Fifty-six per cent of the patients showed clinical significant improvement (95% CI 48-64%), 42% showed some degree of improvement and 2% were unchanged. The more improved patients had higher scores at admission than those with less improvement on all scales, indicating a floor effect. Small changes were observed for narcissism and experienced humiliation and negative admission events. In multivariate analyses high admission scores on BPRS subscales, thinking disorder and activation and HADS total score were significantly associated with clinically significant improvement. Type and length of admission did not significantly affect the outcome. The BPRS, HADS and NPI-29 scores at discharge were mainly explained by corresponding admission scores. More than half the patients admitted to PEU have clinically significant reduction of psychopathology during their stay. Higher levels of psychopathology at admission were significantly associated with improvement. Negative admission experiences and involuntary admission did not influence outcome.
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Research Interests: Neuropsychology, Personality, Cognition, Cancer, Chemotherapy, and 15 moreAdolescent, Fatigue, Medicine, Distress, Activities of Daily Living, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychological distress, Adult, Prospective Study, Cognition disorders, Neuropsychological Tests, orchiectomy, and Medical and Health Sciences
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A possible association between thyroid diseases (TD) and breast cancer (BC) has been debated. We examined prevalence and development of TD in women after multimodal treatment for Stage II/III BC compared with women from a general... more
A possible association between thyroid diseases (TD) and breast cancer (BC) has been debated. We examined prevalence and development of TD in women after multimodal treatment for Stage II/III BC compared with women from a general population. Secondarily, we explored the impact of two different radiotherapy (RT) techniques (standardized field arrangements vs. computed tomography [CT]-based dose planning) on TD in BC patients examined 35-120 months after primary BC treatment. A total of 403 BC patients completed a questionnaire about TD and had blood samples taken for analyses of thyroid function. All had undergone postoperative RT with or without (2%) adjuvant systemic treatment. The results in the BC patients were compared with a cancer-free, age-matched control group from a general population (CGr). There was higher prevalence of self-reported hypothyroidism in the BC patients as compared with the CGr (18% vs. 6%, p < 0.001). The raised prevalence was predominantly due to a substantial increase in the development of hypothyroidism after BC diagnosis, whereas the prevalence of hypothyroidism before BC diagnosis was similar to that observed in the CGr. Patients treated with CT-based RT showed a trend for increased post-BC development of hypothyroidism as compared with those treated with standardized field arrangements (p = 0.08). Hypothyroidism is significantly increased in women after multimodal treatment for Stage II/III BC. Radiation to the thyroid gland may be a contributing factor. BC patients should be routinely screened for hypothyroidism.
Research Interests: Computed Tomography, Breast Cancer, Medicine, Population, Humans, and 15 moreInternal Medicine, Female, Blood sampling, Hypothyroidism, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Analysis of Variance, General Population, Control Group, Case Control Studies, Combined Modality Therapy, Breast Neoplasms, and Neoplasm staging
Background/Aims: Some previous studies have reported that hysterectomy predicts increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, but the findings are disputed. We aimed to examine associations between hysterectomy and cardiovascular... more
Background/Aims: Some previous studies have reported that hysterectomy predicts increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, but the findings are disputed. We aimed to examine associations between hysterectomy and cardiovascular disease in a Norwegian cross-sectional health study. Methods: The data were obtained from the population-based cross-sectional Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (The HUNT-2 Study). Of 46,709 invited females, 35,280 (76%) participated; 939 (3%) reported hysterectomy without oophorectomy (exposed women). Each exposed woman was age-matched with four randomly chosen women (n = 3,756) without hysterectomy or oophorectomy. Oophorectomy and hysterectomy status was self-reported by the women. Hazard ratio for cardiovascular diseases was calculated by Cox regression analyses with hysterectomy as a time-dependent covariate. Results: Median time since hysterectomy was 14 years (range 0–56 years). We calculated a significantly larger cumulative probability of cardiovascul...
Research Interests: Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Medicine, Norway, Humans, and 15 moreDiabetes mellitus, Female, Body Mass Index, Hysterectomy, Aged, Middle Aged, Gynecology, Health surveys, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cross Sectional Studies, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Case Control Studies, Ovariectomy, Antihypertensive agents, and hazard ratio
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Whether systemic chemotherapy has a negative effect on cognitive function in patients, concern oncologists. In testicular cancer patients (TCPs) treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, only few cross-sectional studies have addressed... more
Whether systemic chemotherapy has a negative effect on cognitive function in patients, concern oncologists. In testicular cancer patients (TCPs) treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, only few cross-sectional studies have addressed this concern. We prospectively studied neuropsychological functioning in TCPs. In a consecutive sampling, 122 TCPs were examined at baseline (after orchidectomy, before any additional treatment) and then at follow-up at a median of 12 months after end of treatment. The examinations included a neuropsychological test battery, interview on background variables and questionnaires on mental distress, fatigue and neurotoxic symptoms. Changes in neuropsychological functioning from baseline to follow-up were compared between three treatments groups: no chemotherapy (N = 31), one cycle of chemotherapy (N = 38) and two or more cycles of chemotherapy (N = 53). Variables associated with a decline in neuropsychological test performance from baseline to follow-up were explored. No statistically significant differences in proportions of TCPs with a decline in neuropsychological test performance were observed between the three treatment groups. Decline in neuropsychological test performance was not associated with demographic variables, distress, fatigue or with chemotherapy. No negative effect of systemic chemotherapy on neuropsychological test performance in TCPs at 1-year follow-up was found in this study.
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Research Interests: Quality of life, Prostate Cancer, Medicine, Logistic Regression, Norway, and 13 moreUrinary incontinence, Prospective studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Questionnaires, Longitudinal Studies, Return to Work, Cohort Studies, Prospective Cohort Study, Prostatic neoplasms, Prostatectomy, and Sick Leave
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The aim of this study was to evaluate work ability (WA) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in prostate cancer survivors, in relation to post-RP urinary leakage (UL) and adjuvant or salvage pelvic radiation therapy (RT) and/or hormone... more
The aim of this study was to evaluate work ability (WA) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in prostate cancer survivors, in relation to post-RP urinary leakage (UL) and adjuvant or salvage pelvic radiation therapy (RT) and/or hormone therapy (HT). Patients for this cross-sectional study were selected from two surveys on post-RP adverse effects and WA. All participated in the workforce. Using EPIC-50/26, UL was defined as daily use of at least one pad. Data on RT were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Norway. WA, measured by the Work Ability Score (WAS), was categorized into "excellent", "good" or "moderate/poor". Multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed associations between WA and selected variables. p values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Of 563 patients, 18% had received post-RP RT and/or HT. Compared to the "excellent" WAS category, such treatment was significantly associated with belonging to the "good...
Research Interests: Urology, Prostate Cancer, Medicine, Comorbidity, Multivariate Analysis, and 15 moreNorway, Urinary incontinence, Humans, Male, Aged, Middle Aged, Time Factors, Return to Work, Age Factors, Cross Sectional Studies, Logistic Models, Postoperative Complications, Surveys and Questionnaires, Prostatic neoplasms, and Prostatectomy
Neuroticism is a basic personality trait concerning negative feelings under stressful conditions. Our purpose was to examine the rate of high neuroticism and factors associated with high neuroticism in long-term (≥ 5 years) survivors of... more
Neuroticism is a basic personality trait concerning negative feelings under stressful conditions. Our purpose was to examine the rate of high neuroticism and factors associated with high neuroticism in long-term (≥ 5 years) survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer (CAYACSs). Norwegian CAYACSs aged 0–39 years when diagnosed and treated between 1985 and 2009 for cancer in childhood/adolescence (0–18 years), or as young adults (19–39 years) and alive in 2015 were mailed a questionnaire. Data from 1629 CAYACSs (481 children/adolescents and 1148 young adults) were analyzed. High neuroticism was found in 44% of survivors of childhood/adolescent cancers versus 34% in survivors of young adult cancer (p < 0.001). The rate of high neuroticism in female CAYACSs was 40% and in males 30% (p < 0.001). The corresponding difference between male survivor group was non-significant. In multivariable analysis, young age at survey, more adverse effects, poor self-rated health, fe...
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Research Interests: Psychology, Primary Health Care, Language, Medicine, Pregnancy, and 15 moreHumans, Affective Disorders, Postpartum Depression, Female, Depressive Disorder, Mental Disorder, Major Depression, Affective, Adult, Five Factor Model, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Factor model, mass Screening, and Medical and Health Sciences
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Purpose Survivors of cervical cancer have an increased risk for permanently reduced work ability qualifying for disability pension (DP). Few studies describe the social and health situation of long-term survivors of cervical cancer... more
Purpose Survivors of cervical cancer have an increased risk for permanently reduced work ability qualifying for disability pension (DP). Few studies describe the social and health situation of long-term survivors of cervical cancer (LSCCs) on DP as a subgroup among LSCCs. The purpose was to investigate the socio-demographic and health status of LSCCs holding DP in a population-based cohort using LSCCs holding paid work as reference. Methods Altogether, 354 LSCCs under 67 years (age of retirement pension in Norway) at survey participated in this study. They responded to a mailed questionnaire containing social, health, and clinical issues. Results Among LSCCs 24% held DP at a median of 11 years (range 6–15) after diagnosis versus 12% in the general female population. Compared to LSCCs in paid work, those on DP had significantly higher mean age at survey, short education, more comorbid somatic diseases, poorer self-rated health, higher level of neurotoxic side effects, more chronic fa...
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Recently, the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite 26-item version (EPIC-26) was recommended for the assessment of adverse effects after the treatment of prostate cancer without clear reasons. This decision encouraged us to review the... more
Recently, the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite 26-item version (EPIC-26) was recommended for the assessment of adverse effects after the treatment of prostate cancer without clear reasons. This decision encouraged us to review the questionnaire development from the UCLA Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI) to the EPIC-16 CP with a focus on psychometric properties. We also reviewed PubMed for papers concerning such properties of the EPIC-26 since 2012 (latest review in 2011). Finally, we examined the psychometric properties of the EPIC-26 in a sample of Norwegian males treated with robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). This study used three methods: (1) Comparison of the content of the UCLA-PCI, EPIC-50, EPIC-26, and EPIC-16 CP; (2) Review of EPIC-26 and EPIC-16 CP papers in PubMed from 2012 to 2016, identifying papers reporting on the psychometric properties of these questionnaires; and (3) Psychometric examination of the EPIC-26 rating in 651 Norwegian men treated w...
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4526 Background: In TCSs conflicting results have been reported as to the association between treatment modalities and sexual function. We compared self-rated sexual function in Norwegian TCSs who during 1980 to 1994 received one of the... more
4526 Background: In TCSs conflicting results have been reported as to the association between treatment modalities and sexual function. We compared self-rated sexual function in Norwegian TCSs who during 1980 to 1994 received one of the following overall therapies: Surveillance (SURV); Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection only (RPLND); Radiation only (RAD) or Cisplatin-based chemotherapy with or without RPLND or RAD (CHEM). METHODS Sexual function was assessed in 1224 TCSs after a mean of 11 years follow-up (SURV: 112; RPLND only: 129; RAD: 543; CHEM: 458). Mean scores for sexual drive, erections, ejaculation, problem assessment, and overall satisfaction were assessed using The Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory. Patients who were very or mostly dissatisfied on overall satisfacation were defined as cases. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the treatment groups as to sexual drive, problem assessment, and overall satisfaction. SURV patients reported significantly better erectile function than RAD, but this effect disappeared when controlling for age. CHEM patients had significantly poorer ejaculatory function compared to SURV. No significant inter-group difference was obtained as to caseness. CONCLUSIONS At long-term, sexual function and satisfaction in TCSs hardly differ between today's treatment modalities, and the risk of sexual dysfunction should not be decisive for the choice of treatment. [Figure: see text] [Table: see text].
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5097 Background: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy effectively prevents ovarian cancer in women at risk for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. Surgically induced menopause may affect sexual functi...
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The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are associated with quality of life (QoL) in relapse-free patients after radical prostatectomy or high-dose radiotherapy with or without hormone treatment. A cross-sectional postal... more
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are associated with quality of life (QoL) in relapse-free patients after radical prostatectomy or high-dose radiotherapy with or without hormone treatment. A cross-sectional postal survey among members of the Norwegian Prostate Cancer Patient Association was used. We analyzed associations between QoL and general health, "typical" adverse effects (sexual, urinary, and bowel assessed using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Composite items) and psychosocial variables (work ability, family life, social life and/or leisure activities) in univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Statistical significance was defined as P < .01. Among 612 responders (approximately 50% compliance; median age, 70 years), in univariate analyses QoL was significantly associated with functional aspects and the level of bother within the sexual, urinary, and bowel domains and with general health and psychosocial aspects of daily life. In the m...
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To compare adverse effects and toxicity in men with high-risk or locally advanced prostate cancer when adding intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) technique to the pelvis. In this prospective follow-up study 180 patients treated with... more
To compare adverse effects and toxicity in men with high-risk or locally advanced prostate cancer when adding intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) technique to the pelvis. In this prospective follow-up study 180 patients treated with conformal radiotherapy (RAD) to the prostate and vesiculae seminales (boost volumes; PV) and long-term androgen deprivation therapy (LADT), were compared to 90 patients managed by LADT, RAD to the PV and additionally pelvic IMRT. Adverse effects were self-reported at baseline, at 3- and 12-month follow-up. At each time point, the patients rated a questionnaire covering urinary, bowel, and sexual function and bother, quality of life, fatigue, and mental distress. At 3-month follow-up urinary and bowel functions were significantly decreased among IMRT compared to RAD. At 12-month follow-up both groups showed the same reductions within the urinary, bowel and sexual domains. RAD patients had more mental distress than IMRT patients. The scores on quality ...
Research Interests: Quality of life, Fatigue, Medicine, Prospective studies, Humans, and 14 moreMale, Follow-up studies, Aged, Middle Aged, Pelvis, Questionnaires, Time Factors, Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy, Psychological Stress, Combined Modality Therapy, Recovery of Function, Intestinal diseases, Seminal Vesicles, and Prostatic neoplasms
Abstract Objective.This study investigated urodynamic findings in prostate cancer patients with self-reported persistent severe postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) as well as the outcome of incontinence surgery. The main aim was... more
Abstract Objective.This study investigated urodynamic findings in prostate cancer patients with self-reported persistent severe postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) as well as the outcome of incontinence surgery. The main aim was to evaluate the ability of preoperative urodynamic dysfunctions to predict the outcome of incontinence surgery. The hypothesis was that preoperative bladder dysfunction was predictive of an unsuccessful surgical outcome. Materials and methods. Based on patient-reported adverse effects after radical prostatectomy (RP) in 2005-2009, 94 men with persistent severe PPI were invited in 2011 to a clinical examination including urodynamics. When indicated, surgery for PPI was offered, and by January 2014, 46 patients had been operated on with either an artificial urinary sphincter or a sling. The outcome of PPI surgery was evaluated with a follow-up questionnaire. Successful outcome was defined in two ways: patient-reported satisfaction and using one or fewer pads/day. Results.Of the 94 men with severe PPI more than 12 months after RP, 76 patients (81% response rate) met for clinical examination. Among them, 99% had intrinsic sphincter deficiency, in 67% coexisting with urodynamic bladder dysfunction. The presence of preoperative bladder dysfunction was not predictive of the outcome of PPI surgery. Preoperative use of fewer pads, less severe PPI, and a longer interval between RP and PPI surgery were associated with the successful outcome of one or fewer pads/day. Longer duration from RP to PPI surgery was the only preoperative factor associated with the successful outcome of satisfaction. Conclusions.The hypothesis was not supported as the presence of preoperative urodynamic bladder dysfunction was not predictive of the outcome of PPI surgery in this study.
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Research Interests: Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Employment, Multivariate Analysis, Norway, and 15 moreHumans, Female, Male, Gender Difference, Middle Aged, Adult, Cancer Survivor, Cross Sectional Studies, Control Method, Case Control Studies, Outcome measure, Breast Neoplasms, Prostatic neoplasms, Medical and Health Sciences, and multivariate analyses
Research has shown that several variables influence the burden of primary caregivers of cancer patients staying at home in the palliative phase, but the associations between these variables have hardly been explored. The aim of this study... more
Research has shown that several variables influence the burden of primary caregivers of cancer patients staying at home in the palliative phase, but the associations between these variables have hardly been explored. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of theory-driven variables with the caregivers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; burden by means of path analysis. The sample consisted of 96 caregivers of cancer patients in the palliative phase staying at home recruited from a hospital trust in Norway. The dimensions of burden from the Caregiver Reaction Assessment, namely self esteem, lack of family support, impact on finances, and impact on daily schedule, were used as the dependent variable. The following independent variables were tested in the models: the patients&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; levels of pain, fatigue, and nausea; and the caregivers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; physical quality of life, anxiety and depression, and social support. The Partial Least Squares approach to structural equation modelling was used for the path analysis. Model 1 shows the direct associations between the independent variables and the dependent variable, explaining 16% of the variance in caregiver burden. Model 1 supports the finding that only caregivers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; depression has a direct significant association with caregiver burden, and shows further that the effects of the other independent variables on burden are mediated through depression. In Model 2, anxiety and depression are mediating factors between three other independent variables and caregiver burden, and 12% of the variance is explained. Model 2 supports none of the independent variables as antecedents of burden. Testing of the models suggested that caregivers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; depression was the main factor associated with caregiver burden, but also an important mediator of indirect associations of indirect associations of caregivers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; anxiety and physical health.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Psychology, Cognitive Science, Psychometrics, Principal Component Analysis, Personality Disorders, and 15 moreMedicine, Norway, Humans, Personality Assessment Inventory, Female, Feasibility Studies, Narcissism, Male, Scandinavian, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Reproducibility of Results, Personality Inventory, and Population surveillance
Research Interests:
Only a few of the borderline concepts introduced in clinical psychiatry have adequate diagnostic reliability. They are the borderline personality disorder of Gunderson and of DSM-III and the schizotypal personality disorder of DSM-III.... more
Only a few of the borderline concepts introduced in clinical psychiatry have adequate diagnostic reliability. They are the borderline personality disorder of Gunderson and of DSM-III and the schizotypal personality disorder of DSM-III. Diagnostic interviews for these disorders have been developed, and their features are discussed. The diagnosis of borderline disorder can also be made with self-report instruments which are presented. Basic prevalence and demographic data for these disorders are given. The delimitation of the borderline disorders from other personality disorders is a major diagnostic problem still unresolved. The method of differentiated weight for symptoms is discussed as a probable solution for this problem.