Search

Given that patients with cancer may commit suicide due to physical and mental problems, the present study objectives were to identify particular risk factors of different subgroup of patients including type of cancer, gender, age, type and time of suicide, and geographical region to facilitate early care and psychosocial support. A comprehensive review of databases including Embase, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science was conducted for original articles published in English from January 2000 to March 2022. It is based on the PRISMA checklist. After reviewing 69 articles selected from 15 countries, the total prevalence rate of suicide among 34,157,856 patients with cancer was estimated 67,169, at 0.013 (95% CI, 0.008–0.021). The highest suicide prevalence was related to gastrointestinal cancer, estimated at 0.204 (95% CI, 0.161–0.255). A gender-based meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of suicide/suicidal ideation was higher among men, estimated at 0.013 (95% CI, 0.008–0.023) compared with women, at 0.006 (95% CI, 0.002–0.017). Based on study results, suicide-prevention strategies should be aimed at patients younger than 40 years of age to effectively resolve their mental health disorders and promote their self-efficacy in successful management of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among Iranian women with more than 10 000 cases per year. Objectives: This study aimed at determining out-of-pocket (OOP) payments among women with breast cancer at health care centers affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional and applied study was done among 336 women with breast cancer referring to hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. The data on inpatient expenses were obtained from the cost bills and the outpatient was collected, using a researcher-made questionnaire. Finally, the data were analyzed, using SPSS V2 software. Results: The average monthly OOP payment for direct hospitalization costs in inpatient breast cancer patients was estimated 146 ± 47.98 dollars and the average OOP payment for direct costs of treatment in outpatients was 69 ± 102.99 dollars, and the average OOP payment for non-medical direct cost per month 34.88 ± 31.12 dollars. The results of this study showed the average OOP payment included drug costs with the rate of 37.99 ± 45.31 dollars imposed the highest medical direct costs. Among the non-medical direct costs of OOP payment for transportation, the average of 30.65 ± 103.23 dollars imposed the highest OOP payment on breast cancer patients. Conclusions: These findings show that individuals with breast cancer endure high OOP payments that could adversely affect their quality of life; hence, decision-makers should pay more attention to implementing proper policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worldwide, bladder cancer (BC) has been regarded as the tenth most common cancer with more than 573 000 new cases in 2020. This research presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining the quality of life (QOL) among patients with BC., Methods: The study was designed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A total of 11 articles were extracted from a literature search conducted through electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science from the onset of January 2000 to June 2022. A random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled QOL in patients with BC., Results: We included 11 primary studies in the final meta-analysis. Based on random effect analysis, total score of QOL was 53.92 (95% CI: 47.84 to 60) representing a moderate level of QOL among patients. Based on the analysis, it was found that physical items with a score of 49.82 (95% CI: 45.8 to 53.84) had a lower score in comparison with mental items at a score of 52 (95% CI: 49.54 to 54.47). In addition, the item of role limitations due to physical health with a score of 46.26 (95% CI: 20.11 to 72.41), and social functioning with a score of 46.25 (95% CI: 18.85 to 73.66), respectively, had the lowest QOL in patients with BC., Conclusion: Generally, the QOL among patients with BC was in a moderate condition, which can be improved through determining the influencing factors on QOL as a crucial strategy to define future treatment procedures in an effective manner., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)