1. Research methods Constructed the "Manual for Graded Management of Postoperative Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer" and developed continuous care Procedures. 2. Randomised controlled studies were conducted to verify the effects of the procedure.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
252
During the first six months after surgery, patients in the experimental group will use a WeChat mini-program to proactively self-report their symptoms regularly using the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for Esophageal Cancer (MDASI-EC). Based on the reported scores and the pre-defined algorithms in the "Post-Esophagectomy Symptom Grading Management Manual", the system will automatically provide personalized self-management guidance for low-grade symptoms. For more severe symptoms, the system will generate alerts to prompt dedicated study nurses to initiate proactive telephone follow-up and provide tailored health coaching.
Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Beijing, China
Rate of Major Postoperative Complications
The proportion of patients experiencing one or more postoperative complications with a Clavien-Dindo classification of Grade II or higher. Complications will be identified and graded by reviewing patient electronic medical records and discharge summaries. The outcome will be reported as a binary variable (yes/no), and the rate (percentage) will be calculated for each group.
Time frame: From the date of surgery until postoperative day 42 (6 weeks).
30-Day All-Cause Readmission Rate
The proportion of patients readmitted to the hospital for any cause within 30 days of discharge. Data will be confirmed via hospital information system (HIS) records. The outcome will be reported as a percentage.
Time frame: From the date of hospital discharge until 30 days post-discharge.
Mean Score of Symptom Severity Items on the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) Module for Esophageal Cancer
Symptom severity will be assessed using the symptom severity subscale of the validated MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) module for esophageal cancer. This subscale includes 13 core cancer-related symptoms. Patients will rate the severity of each symptom over the last 24 hours on a numeric scale from 0 ("not present") to 10 ("as bad as you can imagine"). The outcome value for each participant at each time point will be the mean score of these 13 symptom severity items. A higher mean score indicates a greater symptom burden.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (preoperatively), and then at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively
Mean Score of Symptom Interference Items on the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) Module for Esophageal Cancer
The impact of symptoms on daily life will be assessed using the symptom interference subscale of the validated MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) module for esophageal cancer. This subscale evaluates how symptoms have interfered with 6 different aspects of daily life (e.g., general activity, mood, work) over the last 24 hours. Ratings are on a numeric scale from 0 ("did not interfere") to 10 ("completely interfered"). The outcome value for each participant at each time point will be the mean score of these 6 symptom interference items. A higher mean score indicates a greater negative impact on daily life.
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Time frame: Assessed at baseline (preoperatively), and then at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively