https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 Defining the trials nurses’ role in operationalising a medicinal cannabis clinical trial https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:48551 Wed 22 Mar 2023 09:14:40 AEDT ]]> The role of benzodiazepines in breathlessness: a single site, open label pilot of sustained release morphine together with clonazepam https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:28795 15% reduction over their own baseline breathlessness intensity. Results: Eleven people had trial medication (eight males, median age 78 years (68 to 89); all had COPD; median Karnofsky 70 (50 to 80); six were on long-term home oxygen. Ten people completed day four. One person withdrew because of unsteadiness on day four. Five participants reached the 15% reduction, but only three went on to the extension study, all completing without toxicity. Conclusion: This study was safe, feasible and there appears to be a group who derive benefits comparable to titrated opioids. Given the widespread use of benzodiazepines for the symptomatic treatment of chronic refractory breathlessness and its poor evidence base, there is justification for a definitive phase III study.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:38:22 AEDT ]]> The population burden of chronic symptoms that substantially predate the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:28133 underestimate services' benefits. Observational symptom prevalence studies reported in hospice/palliative care to date have not accounted for people with long-term refractory symptoms, potentially systematically overestimating symptoms attributed to life-limiting illnesses. Cross-sectional community prevalence rates of key chronic refractory symptoms largely unrelated to their life-limiting illness reflect the likely prevalence on referral to hospice/palliative care: fatigue (up to 35%); pain (12%–31%); pain with neuropathic characteristics (9%); constipation (2%–29%); dyspnea (4%–9%); cognitive impairment (>10% of people >65 years old; >30% of people >85 years old); anxiety (4%); and depression (lifetime incidence 2%–15%; one year prevalence 3%). Prospective research is needed to establish (1) the prevalence and severity of chronic symptoms that pre-date the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness in people referred to hospice/palliative care services, comparing this to whole-of-population estimates; and (2) whether this group is disproportionately represented in people with refractory symptoms.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:24:54 AEDT ]]> A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of megestrol acetate or dexamethasone in treating symptomatic anorexia in people with advanced cancer https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:45413 Fri 28 Oct 2022 12:09:54 AEDT ]]>