Faculty Bibliography

Introduction Photobiomodulation (PBM Therapy) formerly known as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is an effective treatment for reducing the incidence and severity of oral mucositis (OM) after high dose chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. However, reported PBM irradiation parameters, dose per point, number of treatment points or treatment intervals vary widely Objectives To systematically review randomized clinical trials (RCTs), summarise the PBM parameters and detain the most effective treatment regimen. Methods Online databases were searched for RCTs comparing efficacy of PBM verses controls for prevention or treatment cancer therapy induced OM. Papers were scored for quality and effect size for the primary outcome, irradiation parameters and dose were compared with outcomes. Results There was lots of mistakes and missing treatment data (i.e. laser wavelength ranges, power, beam sizes, energy applied and treatment duration) on the reported data, however the majority of the randomized clinical trials reported positive effects: PBM reduced pain, onset of OM, and improved overall quality of life of the patients that received PBM. Conclusions Although no precise conclusion can be drawn due to a large variation on the reported data, PBM used for OM confidently recommend an optimal treatment guideline for this condition

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE/UNASSIGNED:The question of this review: What is the effectiveness of non-pharmacological strategies for the management of delirium in hospitalized adult postoperative patients?The objective of this umbrella review is to determine the effectiveness of non-pharmacological strategies for the management of delirium in adult postoperative patients, 18 years and over, in an acute care hospitalized setting.More specifically, the review aims to identify which non-pharmacological strategy/strategies, provided as a single strategy or combined as two or more strategies, is the most effective for management of delirium in hospitalized postoperative adult patients?

We report an evidence-based management algorithm for benign lymphoepithelial cysts (BLEC) of the parotid glands in HIV patients based on long-term outcomes after radiation therapy. From 1987 to 2013, 72 HIV-positive patients with BLEC of the parotid glands treated at our institutions were identified and their medical records were reviewed and analyzed. The primary endpoint of our study was to determine a dose response in HIV patients with BLEC. In group A (≤18 Gy), which received a median dose of 10 Gy (8-18), overall response (OvR), complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and local failure (LF) was experienced by 7, 7, 0, and 93 %, respectively. In group B (≥22.5 Gy), which received a median dose of 24 Gy (22.5-30), OvR, CR, PR, and LF was experienced by 88, 65, 23, and 12 %. Logistic regression revealed that higher dose (≥22.5 Gy) predicted for cosmetic control (p = 0.0003). Multiple regression analysis revealed higher dose predicted for cosmetic control (p = 0.0001) after adjusting for confounding variables (age, gender, race, HAART use, BLEC duration, and fractionation size). No patients in either group experienced RTOG grade ≥3 toxicities. A radiation dose of 24 Gy delivered in 12-16 fractions of 1.5-2 Gy per fraction provides long-term cosmetic control in HIV-positive patients with BLEC of the parotid glands.

BACKGROUND:One approach to overcoming healthcare system barriers and facilitating timely access to quality care and patient satisfaction is with a patient navigator. A patient navigator is a trained person who individually assists patients, families and caregivers navigate the healthcare system barriers efficiently and effectively at any point along the care continuum, improving patient care at all levels of an organization. OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of a patient navigator on patient satisfaction in adult patients 18 years and older in ambulatory care settings. INCLUSION CRITERIA TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS/UNASSIGNED:This review considered studies that involved adults of any ethnicity, race or gender, aged 18 years or older, regardless of diagnoses, stage of illness, whether the illness is acute or chronic or previous treatment, who had been receiving care in an ambulatory care setting. TYPES OF INTERVENTION(S)/PHENOMENA OF INTEREST/UNASSIGNED:This review considered studies on the use of a patient navigator as an additional intervention to usual care for promoting patient satisfaction for adult patients in an ambulatory care setting. Usual care without a patient navigator was considered as a comparator. TYPES OF STUDIES/UNASSIGNED:This review considered experimental and observational studies. OUTCOMES/RESULTS:The outcome considered was patient satisfaction. SEARCH STRATEGY/METHODS:The literature search included published and unpublished studies in the English Language from 1990 through July 2015. A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Academic Search Premier, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Social Work Abstracts and Web of Science was conducted. A search for gray literature and electronic hand searching of relevant journals was also performed. METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY/METHODS:Two reviewers independently evaluated the included studies for methodological quality utilizing standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute. DATA EXTRACTION/METHODS:Standardized data extraction tools from Joanna Briggs Institute were used by two independent reviewers for data extraction. DATA SYNTHESIS/RESULTS:A statistical meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity between the included studies. Results are presented in a narrative form. RESULTS:Four studies were included in this review, two were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one was a quasi-experimental pre-post-test design study and one was a cohort study. The four studies showed that a patient navigator had clinical benefit for patient satisfaction, care coordination and patient access to timely healthcare services. One RCT reported a mean satisfaction score of 4.3 for navigated patients and 2.9 for non-navigated patients; P < 0.001. A second RCT showed an odds ratio 1.29; 95% confidence interval 0.92-1.82 for navigated versus non-navigated patients. The quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test study showed navigated patient satisfaction with a mean = 11.45 (standard deviation [SD], 3.69) in comparison with the non-navigated patient (mean, 14.95; SD, 1.69) (F = 11.85; P = 0.000). The cohort study demonstrated a mean satisfaction score of 90.7 for navigated patients and 85.5 for non-navigated patients; P = 0.03. The four studies showed no clinically significant results; however, the patient navigator role may promote relationships among the healthcare team, reducing barriers for patient-centered care and enhanced patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:There is a paucity of evidence on the effectiveness of a patient navigator on patient satisfaction. In the four studies selected for inclusion, a patient navigator had a positive effect on patient satisfaction, although none of the studies demonstrated statistical significance with a patient navigator on patient satisfaction. The effect of a patient navigator remains questionable with differences in perceptions on the best individual for the role and the expected role perception and performance. A standardized approach to the role of the patient navigator may maximize health outcomes and positively affect the quality of life for all patients.

Introduction: Oral mucositis (OM) is among the most common, painful and debilitating toxicities of cancer regimen-related treatment, resulting in the formation of ulcers, which are susceptible to increased colonization of microorganisms. Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the changes in the microbiome associated with OM onset in head and neck cancer patients (oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma) undergoing radiotherapy alone (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (chemoRT) using molecular techniques. Methods: We recruited patients scheduled for receiving radiotherapy alone or chemoRT. Site-specific oral biofilms samples were collected using Isohelix swabs at two time points: before initiating RT/ChemoRT (pre-OM), and at the onset of OM (post-OM ie OM > 1, WHO scale). Changes in microbial abundance were detected using the Human Oral Microbe Identification using Next Generation Sequencing (HOMINGS) and metagenomic analyses. An integrative computational model estimated average changes of microbial abundance patterns of 768 species identified from pre-and-post OM onset. Results: Relative changes in abundance of 54 microbial biomarkers in 16 subjects were discriminative between pre and post OM onset. Discriminant species such as Gemella haemolysans, Granulicatella elegans, Haemophilus spp., Prevotellaoris, and Aggregatibacter sp. HOT512 were found to be significantly overabundant in post-OM onset samples as compared to pre-OM. (Table Presented) Conclusions: Our results suggest a dynamic shift in the oral microbiome during the onset of OM. These species may act as opportunistic pathogens in this population, and further investigation is warranted to explore if they facilitate further tissue damage and subsequent pain

BACKGROUND:Adherence to oral cancer medicines is a challenge for adult patients with cancer. Education specifically tailored for an individual patient with cancer may improve adherence. Therapeutic patient education when utilized effectively may maximize health outcomes and positively affect the quality of life of adult patients with cancer. Currently, there are no published systematic reviews specific to the effectiveness of therapeutic patient education on improvement of oral anti-cancer medicines adherence in patients with cancer. OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of therapeutic patient education on adherence to oral anti-cancer medicines in adult cancer patients 18 years and older in an ambulatory care setting. INCLUSION CRITERIA/METHODS:Types of participants: This review considered studies involving adults of any ethnicity, race or gender, aged 18 years or older who were diagnosed with any form of cancer, receiving oral anti-cancer medicines in an ambulatory care setting. Types of intervention(s): This review considered studies on the use of therapeutic patient education as the additional intervention to routine patient education for promoting oral anti-cancer medicine adherence in adult patients with cancer in an ambulatory care setting. Routine patient education was considered as a comparator. Types of outcomes: The outcome considered was adherence to prescribed oral anti-cancer medicines. Types of studies: This review considered experimental and observational studies. SEARCH STRATEGY/METHODS:The literature search included published and unpublished studies in the English Language from 1953 through August 2014. A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Excerpta Medica Database, Academic Search Premier, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition was conducted using identified keywords and indexed terms across all included databases. A search for grey literature and electronic hand searching of relevant journals was also performed. METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY/METHODS:Two reviewers independently evaluated the included studies for methodological quality utilizing standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute. DATA COLLECTION/METHODS:Standardized data extraction tools were used by two reviewers independently as per the Joanna Briggs Institute for data extraction. DATA SYNTHESIS/RESULTS:Due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity between the included studies, statistical meta-analysis was not feasible. The results are presented in a narrative form. RESULTS:Two studies were included in this review, one randomized controlled trial and one cohort study. Both studies had small sample sizes and were moderate and low quality. The clinical significance of therapeutic patient education interventions and the relationship between behavior changes and health outcome changes remain unclear. The randomized clinical trial found a benefit in medication adherence rates in the tailored education intervention group compared to the standard education group at two and four months. Adherence rates measured by self-report (91.3% and 95.1%) and pharmacy refill rates (80% and 73.7%) were superior for the intervention group; however pharmacy refill rates were lower than self-reports of adherence. Tailored educational interventions were only beneficial on pharmacy refill rates (p=.0048) for promoting adherence at the two-month time interval. The cohort study found the intensified pharmaceutical educational intervention group demonstrated enhanced overall medication adherence then the standard education group (97.9% vs. 90.5%, p=0.069). The intervention group also showed a higher mean daily adherence to medication (96. 8% vs. 87.2%, p=0.029). The relative risk of the intervention group deviating from the medication intake interval of 12 hours was 0.51(95%CI, 0.46-0.56) compared to the control group (p<0.05, Chi-square test).The two studies showed no statistically significant differences, only modest to low evidence that therapeutic educational interventions support the clinical outcome of oral anti-cancer medicine adherence. CONCLUSIONS:There is a paucity of research evidence on the effectiveness of therapeutic patient educational interventions for improving patient adherence to oral cancer medicines. The effect of therapeutic patient educational interventions on oral anti-cancer medicine adherence has yet to be determined. Therapeutic patient educational interventions remain questionable, differing in format and educational strategies. A specific standardized methodology and evaluation approach to therapeutic patient education may reduce symptomatology, prevent side effects, maximize health outcomes and positively affect the quality of life and survival of adult patients with cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE/CONCLUSIONS:There is limited evidence that therapeutic patient educational interventions improve oral anti-cancer medicine adherence in adult patients with cancer in ambulatory care settings. A growing number of patients with cancer are being prescribed oral anti-cancer medicines; a better understanding of how therapeutic patient education strategies are effectively implemented may promote patient self-motivation and oral anti-cancer medicine adherence. This review recommends the development of a specific standardized methodology and evaluation approach to therapeutic patient education that may empower patients to increase their adherence to self-managed medication and achieve positive health outcomes IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH/CONCLUSIONS:Clinical trials with larger sample sizes, standardization of content, comparing specific adherence education or tailored education interventions are needed.

AIM: To evaluate the locoregional control and treatment toxicity of patients with pleomorphic adenoma after resection with close or positive margins followed by postoperative radiation therapy (PORT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2011, twenty-one patients underwent PORT at the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center for pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid with close or positive margins. Four out of the 21 patients (19%) had recurrent lesions. The median dose was 57.6 Gy (range 55.8-69.96) delivered at 1.8-2.12 Gy/fraction. Treatment and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed for locoregional control as well as acute- and late-treatment toxicities. Actuarial survival analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Twelve women and 9 men with a median age of 46 (26-65) at PORT were included in this study. Eighty-one percent of the cohort had positive resection margins while 19% had close margins. At a median follow-up of 92 months, 19/21 patients (90%) had locoregional control. Two patients who failed had primary lesions which recurred locally, and initially had positive margins. The two recurrences occurred at 8 months and 12 months. Acute Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grade 1 and 2 toxicities were experienced by 11 (52%) and 4 (19%) patients, respectively, while 2 (10%) experienced late RTOG grade 1 toxicities. No patients experienced any grade 2-4 late toxicities. Actuarial survival was 100%. CONCLUSION: PORT for patients with pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland after resection with close or positive margins results in excellent locoregional control and low treatment-related morbidity.

Concomitant chemoradiotherapy provides organ preservation for those patients with head and neck cancer. We report the results of a prospective study that examined functional outcomes and quality of life (QOL) after chemoradiotherapy over the first 6 months post-treatment (tx). Twenty-nine patients with head and neck cancer were treated with chemoradiotherapy. All were seen baseline and 3 and 6 months post-tx. Assessments included the performance status scale (PSS), Karnofsky performance status scale, tongue strength, jaw opening, and saliva weight. QOL was patient-rated using the eating assessment tool (EAT-10), MD Anderson dysphagia inventory, speech handicap index (SHI), and the EORTC H&N35 scale. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used, with significance at p < 0.05. PSS scores were significantly different across time points. Tongue strength, jaw range of motion (ROM), and saliva weight were significantly lower at 3 and 6 months than at baseline. QOL was significantly worse after tx, although it improved by 6 months as rated with the EAT-10 and the SHI scores were significantly worse at 3 and 6 months. EORTC domains of swallowing, senses, speech, dry mouth, and sticky saliva were significantly worse at 3 and 6 months. Concomitant chemoradiotherapy for treatment of head and neck tumors can result in impaired performance outcomes and QOL over the first 6 months post-tx. However, performance status, tongue strength, jaw ROM, and eating QOL were only mildly impaired by 6 months post-tx. Saliva production and speech QOL remained significantly impaired at 6 months post-treatment. Current studies are examining outcomes at 12 and 24 months post-treatment to better predict outcomes over time in this population.