Background and Objective
Measuring breathlessness in early-stage lung cancer can be tricky because different scales may give varying results. This study looks at three common scales: the Modified Borg Scale (mBorg), the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and the Dyspnea-12 scale (D-12). The goal is to find out how these scales agree with each other and what factors contribute to breathlessness in patients after surgery.
Study Design and Methods
This study analyzed data from a trial involving 142 early-stage lung cancer patients. Breathlessness was measured using the mBorg, NRS, and D-12 scales. Researchers used statistical methods to explore the relationships between these scales and identify factors related to breathlessness.
Results
The average scores were:
- mBorg: 4.28 out of 8
- NRS: 4.73 out of 10
- D-12: 7.04 out of 17
There were strong connections between the mBorg, the physical part of the D-12, and the NRS, indicating they measure similar aspects of breathlessness. The D-12 scores also showed a strong link to quality of life, while the emotional part of D-12 had a weaker connection. Asthma and insomnia were found to be important risk factors.
Conclusion
This study shows that the three scales are consistent in measuring breathlessness in early-stage lung cancer patients. The D-12 and NRS provide a broader view by including emotional aspects as well.
Opportunities for Improvement
Based on the trial data, clinics can:
- Define clear goals for measuring breathlessness using the three scales.
- Select AI tools that meet specific clinical needs related to these scales.
- Implement a pilot project to track results and assess real-world impacts.
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