Browsing by Author "Thapa, Sudip"
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Publication Malnutrition among Cancer Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study(Nepal Medical Association, 2022) K.C., Anuj; Poudel, Bishnu Dutta; Shilpakar, Ramila; Thapa, Sudip; Sharma, Rajiv; Acharya, Bibek; Chapagain, Sandhya; Karn, Ambuj; Poudel, Saugat; Paudel, BishalAbstract Introduction: Malnutrition is one of the most frequent disorders among cancer patients. It is seen in 50-90% of cancer patients. This high prevalence of malnutrition is very concerning as it is associated with reduced effective treatment, functional status, quality of life and survival. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of malnutrition among cancer patients in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 cancer patients in the Department of Clinical Oncology of a tertiary care centre from 25 January 2022 to 25 July 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 1192/2078/79). Convenience sampling was done. Patients were screened using Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment for malnutrition. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 95 cancer patients, 22 (23.15%) (15.10-32.90, 95% Confidence Interval) were malnourished. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition was found to be lower than in other studies done in similar settings. Nutritional assessment and support should be an integral part of care for gastrointestinal cancer.Publication Performance of Distress Thermometer: A Study among Cancer Patients(Nepal Health Research Council, 2023) Thapa, Sudip; Sharma, Susmita; Gautam, Nishim; Shrestha, Sudip; Ghimire, Bijesh Raj; Dahal, Sanuja; Adhikari, Bibhav; Maharjan, Rubina; Thapa, Sadiksha; Kattel, Regina; Koirala, RishavAbstract Background: The Distress Thermometer accompanied with Problems List is a commonly used screening tool for psychosocial distress. However, it’s cut-off score, performance and risk factors for psychosocial distress varies among studies. This is the first study conducted in Nepal to investigate the Distress Thermometer’s screening properties, its optimal cut-off score and evaluating the prevalence of psychosocial distress and its risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 162 heterogeneous cancer patients. The English form of the Distress Thermometer was translated to Nepali using a forward and backward translation method. Questionnaires including socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Distress Thermometer accompanied with Problems List were filled. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis of distress thermometer scores was evaluated against Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Total (?15). An Area Under the Curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated at each Distress Thermometer cut-off score. Results: Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis showed an excellent discriminating performance (Area Under the Curve =87.4%). A cut-off score of 4 on Distress Thermometer was established and it yielded sensitivity (88.9%), specificity (71.1%), positive predictive value (75.4%) and negative predictive value (86.5%) respectively. Furthermore, 55.6% of participants were distressed and emotional problems (odd ratio = 28.00), practical problems (odd ratio = 12.152) and physical problems (odd ratio = 2.397) were found to be significant risk factors for PD. Conclusions: PD is a global burden in cancer patients. The DT with a cut-off score of 4 accompanied with PL is valid instrument for screening PD in Nepali cancer patients. PL identified the problems that causes of PD. Keywords: Cancer; Distress Thermometer; Nepal.