All Outputs (80)

Creating more comparable cohorts in observational palliative care studies: A proposed framework to improve applicability and replicability of research (2024)
Journal Article
Kochovska, S., Murtagh, F. E., Agar, M., Phillips, J. L., Dudgeon, D., Lujic, S., Johnson, M., & Currow, D. C. (2024). Creating more comparable cohorts in observational palliative care studies: A proposed framework to improve applicability and replicability of research. Palliative medicine, https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163241234227

Background: Palliative care is characterised by heterogeneous patient and caregiver populations who are provided care in different health systems and a research base including a large proportion of observational, mostly retrospective studies. The inh... Read More about Creating more comparable cohorts in observational palliative care studies: A proposed framework to improve applicability and replicability of research.

Phase II, double blind, placebo controlled, multi-site study to evaluate the safety, feasibility and desirability of conducting a phase III study of anamorelin for anorexia in people with small cell lung cancer: A study protocol (LUANA trial) (2023)
Journal Article
Sousa, M. S., Martin, P., Johnson, M. J., Lind, M., Maddocks, M., Bullock, A., Agar, M., Chang, S., Kochovska, S., Kinchin, I., Morgan, D., Fazekas, B., Razmovski-Naumovski, V., Lee, J. T., Itchins, M., Bray, V., & Currow, D. C. (2023). Phase II, double blind, placebo controlled, multi-site study to evaluate the safety, feasibility and desirability of conducting a phase III study of anamorelin for anorexia in people with small cell lung cancer: A study protocol (LUANA trial). PLoS ONE, 18(5 May), Article e0285850. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285850

Anorexia is experienced by most people with lung cancer during the course of their disease and treatment. Anorexia reduces response to chemotherapy and the ability of patients to cope with, and complete their treatment leading to greater morbidity, p... Read More about Phase II, double blind, placebo controlled, multi-site study to evaluate the safety, feasibility and desirability of conducting a phase III study of anamorelin for anorexia in people with small cell lung cancer: A study protocol (LUANA trial).

The range and suitability of outcome measures used in the assessment of palliative treatment for inoperable malignant bowel obstruction: A systematic review (2022)
Journal Article
Seddon, K., Bravington, A., Obita, G., Baddeley, E., Johnson, M. J., Murtagh, F. E., Currow, D. C., Boland, E. G., Nelson, A., Oliver, A., Noble, S. I., & Boland, J. W. (2022). The range and suitability of outcome measures used in the assessment of palliative treatment for inoperable malignant bowel obstruction: A systematic review. Palliative medicine, 36(9), 1336-1350. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163221122352

Background: Malignant bowel obstruction, a complication of certain advanced cancers, causes severe symptoms which profoundly affect quality of life. Clinical management remains complex, and outcome assessment is inconsistent. Aim: To identify outc... Read More about The range and suitability of outcome measures used in the assessment of palliative treatment for inoperable malignant bowel obstruction: A systematic review.

Comparing recalled versus experienced symptoms of breathlessness ratings: An ecological assessment study using mobile phone technology (2022)
Journal Article
Sandberg, J., Sundh, J., Anderberg, P., Currow, D. C., Johnson, M., Lansing, R., & Ekström, M. (2022). Comparing recalled versus experienced symptoms of breathlessness ratings: An ecological assessment study using mobile phone technology. Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, https://doi.org/10.1111/resp.14313

Background and objective: Recall of breathlessness is important for clinical care but might differ from the experienced (momentary) symptoms. This study aimed to characterize the relationship between momentary breathlessness ratings and the recall of... Read More about Comparing recalled versus experienced symptoms of breathlessness ratings: An ecological assessment study using mobile phone technology.

Comparing functional decline and distress from symptoms in people with thoracic life-limiting illnesses: Lung cancers and non-malignant end-stage respiratory diseases (2021)
Journal Article
Barnes-Harris, M., Allingham, S., Morgan, D., Ferreira, D., Johnson, M. J., Eagar, K., & Currow, D. (2021). Comparing functional decline and distress from symptoms in people with thoracic life-limiting illnesses: Lung cancers and non-malignant end-stage respiratory diseases. Thorax, 76(10), 989-995. https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216039

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. Background: Malignant and non-malignant respiratory diseases account for >4.6 million deaths annually worldwide. Despite similar symptom burd... Read More about Comparing functional decline and distress from symptoms in people with thoracic life-limiting illnesses: Lung cancers and non-malignant end-stage respiratory diseases.

A cluster randomised trial of a Needs Assessment Tool for adult Cancer patients and their carers (NAT-C) in primary care: A feasibility study (2021)
Journal Article
Clark, J., Amoakwa, E., Wright-Hughes, A., Blenkinsopp, J., Currow, D. C., Meads, D., Farrin, A., Allgar, V., Macleod, U., & Johnson, M. (2021). A cluster randomised trial of a Needs Assessment Tool for adult Cancer patients and their carers (NAT-C) in primary care: A feasibility study. PLoS ONE, 16(1), Article e0245647. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245647

Background People with cancer often have unidentified symptoms and social care needs. The Needs Assessment Tool-Cancer (NAT-C) is a validated, structured method of assessing patient/ carer concerns and prompting action, to address unmet need. Aims As... Read More about A cluster randomised trial of a Needs Assessment Tool for adult Cancer patients and their carers (NAT-C) in primary care: A feasibility study.

A feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial of a paramedic-administered breathlessness management intervention for acute-on-chronic breathlessness (BREATHE): Study protocol (2021)
Journal Article
Northgraves, M., Cohen, J., Allgar, V., Currow, D., Hart, S., Hird, K., Hodge, A., Johnson, M., Mason, S., Swan, F., & Hutchinson, A. (2021). A feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial of a paramedic-administered breathlessness management intervention for acute-on-chronic breathlessness (BREATHE): Study protocol. ERJ Open Research, 7(1), Article 00955-2020. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00955-2020

Introduction: Chronic breathlessness, persistent and disabling despite optimal treatment of underlying causes, is a prevalent and frightening symptom and is associated with many emergency presentations and admission to hospital. Breathlessness manage... Read More about A feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial of a paramedic-administered breathlessness management intervention for acute-on-chronic breathlessness (BREATHE): Study protocol.

Minimal clinically important differences for Dyspnea-12 and MDP scores are similar at 2 weeks and 6 months: follow-up of a longitudinal clinical study (2020)
Journal Article
Ekström, M., Bornefalk, H., Sköld, C. M., Janson, C., Blomberg, A., Sandberg, J., Bornefalk-Hermansson, A., Currow, D. C., Johnson, M. J., & Sundh, J. (2021). Minimal clinically important differences for Dyspnea-12 and MDP scores are similar at 2 weeks and 6 months: follow-up of a longitudinal clinical study. European respiratory journal, 57(3), https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.02823-2020

Chronic breathlessness is a dominating symptom that restricts daily life for many people with cardiorespiratory disease [1]. Different dimensions of the symptom, such as the intensity, sensory qualities (SQs) and emotional responses, can be assessed... Read More about Minimal clinically important differences for Dyspnea-12 and MDP scores are similar at 2 weeks and 6 months: follow-up of a longitudinal clinical study.

Prevalence and risk factors of breathlessness across Canada: A national retrospective cohort study in home care and nursing home populations (2020)
Journal Article
Seow, H., Dutta, P., Johnson, M. J., McMillan, K., Guthrie, D. M., Costa, A., & Currow, D. C. (in press). Prevalence and risk factors of breathlessness across Canada: A national retrospective cohort study in home care and nursing home populations. Journal of pain and symptom management, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.11.034

© 2020 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Context: Breathlessness is a symptom associated with poor clinical outcomes and prognosis. Little is known about its long-term trends and associations with social factors including decline in... Read More about Prevalence and risk factors of breathlessness across Canada: A national retrospective cohort study in home care and nursing home populations.

Morphine for the symptomatic reduction of chronic breathlessness: the case for controlled release (2020)
Journal Article
Currow, D. C., Kochovska, S., Ferreira, D., & Johnson, M. (2020). Morphine for the symptomatic reduction of chronic breathlessness: the case for controlled release. Current opinion in supportive and palliative care, 14(3), 177-181. https://doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0000000000000520

Purpose of Review: Clinicians who seek to reduce the symptomatic burden of chronic breathlessness by initiating regular low dose morphine have the choice of immediate or sustained release formulations - which will be better for this often frail popu... Read More about Morphine for the symptomatic reduction of chronic breathlessness: the case for controlled release.

Activities forgone because of chronic breathlessness: a cross-sectional, population prevalence study (2020)
Journal Article
Kochovska, S., Chang, S., Morgan, D. D., Ferreira, D., Sidhu, M., Saleh Moussa, R., Johnson, M. J., Ekström, M., & Currow, D. C. (2020). Activities forgone because of chronic breathlessness: a cross-sectional, population prevalence study. Palliative Medicine Reports, 1(1), 166-170. https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2020.0083

Background Chronic breathlessness is a prevalent, disabling syndrome affecting many people for years. Identifying the impact of chronic breathlessness on people’s activities in the general population is pivotal for designing symptom management strat... Read More about Activities forgone because of chronic breathlessness: a cross-sectional, population prevalence study.

Minimal clinically important differences in average, best, worst and current intensity and unpleasantness of chronic breathlessness (2020)
Journal Article
Ekström, M., Johnson, M. J., Huang, C., & Currow, D. C. (2020). Minimal clinically important differences in average, best, worst and current intensity and unpleasantness of chronic breathlessness. European respiratory journal, 56(2), Article 1902202. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.02202-2019

Copyright ©ERS 2020. BACKGROUND: Chronic breathlessness has devastating consequences. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for current intensity has been estimated as 9 mm on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). We aimed to determine M... Read More about Minimal clinically important differences in average, best, worst and current intensity and unpleasantness of chronic breathlessness.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing burden from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2020)
Journal Article
Luckett, T., San Martin, A., Currow, D. C., Johnson, M. J., Barnes-Harris, M. M. M., & Phillips, J. L. (2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing burden from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Palliative medicine, 34(10), 1291-1304. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216320940153

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer are both life-limiting diseases that confer burden in the form of symptoms and affect functioning and quality of life. Comparing burden between these diseases is of interest to determi... Read More about A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing burden from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

COVID-19: guidance on palliative care from a European Respiratory Society international task force (2020)
Journal Article
Janssen, D. J., Maddocks, M., Janssen, D. J. A., Ekström, M., Currow, D. C., Johnson, M. J., Maddocks, M., Simonds, A. K., Tonia, T., & Marsaa, K. (2020). COVID-19: guidance on palliative care from a European Respiratory Society international task force. European respiratory journal, 56(3), 2002583. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.02583-2020

Copyright ©ERS 2020. BACKGROUND: Many people are dying from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but consensus guidance on palliative care in COVID-19 is lacking. This new life-threatening disease has put healthcare systems under pressure, with the i... Read More about COVID-19: guidance on palliative care from a European Respiratory Society international task force.

Letter in Response to Grobler AC, Lee K. Intention-To-Treat Analyses for Randomized Controlled Trials in Hospice/Palliative Care Enhanced by Principled Methods to Handle Missing Data (2020)
Journal Article
Huang, C., Kochovska, S., & Currow, D. C. (2020). Letter in Response to Grobler AC, Lee K. Intention-To-Treat Analyses for Randomized Controlled Trials in Hospice/Palliative Care Enhanced by Principled Methods to Handle Missing Data. Journal of pain and symptom management, 60(4), e30-e31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.07.004

Opioids for breathlessness: a narrative review (2020)
Journal Article
Currow, D. C., Johnson, M. J., Pollack, A., Ferreira, D. H., Kochovska, S., Ekström, M., & Harrison, C. (2020). Opioids for breathlessness: a narrative review. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 10(3), 287-295. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002314

ABSTRACT Chronic breathlessness is a disabling and distressing condition for which there is a growing evidence base for a range of interventions. Non-pharmacological interventions are the mainstay of management and should be optimised prior to use... Read More about Opioids for breathlessness: a narrative review.

Development of a core outcome set to use in the research and assessment of malignant bowel obstruction: protocol for the RAMBO study (2020)
Journal Article
Baddeley, E., Bravington, A., Johnson, M., Currow, D., Murtagh, F. E., Boland, E., Obita, G., Nelson, A., Seddon, K., Oliver, A., Noble, S., & Boland, J. (2020). Development of a core outcome set to use in the research and assessment of malignant bowel obstruction: protocol for the RAMBO study. BMJ open, 10(6), Article 039154. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039154

INTRODUCTION: Studies regarding the management of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) report conflicting findings. This is partly due to different outcome measures being used to evaluate severity of MBO and the response to treatments. Furthermore, curr... Read More about Development of a core outcome set to use in the research and assessment of malignant bowel obstruction: protocol for the RAMBO study.

Patients’ and caregivers’ experiences of driving with chronic breathlessness before and after regular low-dose sustained-release morphine: A qualitative study (2020)
Journal Article
Ferreira, D. H., Boland, J. W., Kochovska, S., Honson, A., Phillips, J. L., & Currow, D. C. (2020). Patients’ and caregivers’ experiences of driving with chronic breathlessness before and after regular low-dose sustained-release morphine: A qualitative study. Palliative medicine, 34(8), 1078-1087. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216320929549

Background: Chronic breathlessness is a disabling syndrome that profoundly impacts patients’ and caregivers’ lives. Driving is important for most people, including those with advanced disease. Regular, low-dose, sustained-release morphine safely red... Read More about Patients’ and caregivers’ experiences of driving with chronic breathlessness before and after regular low-dose sustained-release morphine: A qualitative study.

Does the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) sufficiently prioritise enablement of access to therapeutic opioids? A systematic critical analysis of six INCB annual reports, 1968-2018 (2020)
Journal Article
Clark, J. D., Johnson, M., Fabowale, B., Farrelly, M., & Currow, D. (in press). Does the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) sufficiently prioritise enablement of access to therapeutic opioids? A systematic critical analysis of six INCB annual reports, 1968-2018. Journal of Global Health Reports, 4, Article e2020042

Background The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has overseen international drug control since 1968 with the dual remit of restricting illicit production and use of controlled substances, whilst enabling access for clinical purposes. Two... Read More about Does the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) sufficiently prioritise enablement of access to therapeutic opioids? A systematic critical analysis of six INCB annual reports, 1968-2018.

Quality of life changes with duration of chronic breathlessness: a random sample of community-dwelling people. (2020)
Journal Article
Currow, D. C., Chang, S., Grande, E. D., Ferreira, D. H., Kochovska, S., Kinchin PhD, I., Johnson, M. J., & Ekstrom, M. (2020). Quality of life changes with duration of chronic breathlessness: a random sample of community-dwelling people. Journal of pain and symptom management, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.05.015

Introduction Chronic breathlessness is associated with poorer quality of life. This population study aimed to define dimensions of quality of life (QoL), and duration and dominant causes of breathlessness that most diminished QoL. Methods This... Read More about Quality of life changes with duration of chronic breathlessness: a random sample of community-dwelling people..