Older patients with HCC lack knowledge about survivorship issues

Survivors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are older had gaps in knowledge in survivorship issues, according to a study. As the incidence and survival of HCC increase, researchers believe this data emphasizes the importance of paying particular attention to this population.

A total of 110 patients participated in a survey to assess knowledge of survivorship issues, preparedness for the survivorship experience, and self-efficacy in obtaining medical information.

A multiple linear regression model showed that for every increase in patient age by 10 years, knowledge of survivorship issues decreased by a total score of 1.3 (P = 0.02).

There were no significant differences between male and female respondents, English and non-English speakers, and liver transplant recipients and nonliver transplant recipients. Participants who had completed college had had significantly higher knowledge of survivorship issues than participants who did not, but the finding did not maintain significance in the multiple linear regression model.

Reference

Winter AC, Viramontes M, Buch A, et al. Older patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are less knowledgeable about survivorship issues: Outcomes from a survey-based study. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2021;55(1):88-92. EPub Ahead of Print. DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001442