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Potenza L, Luppi M, Zimmermann C, Bandieri E. Early palliative care in haematological malignancies. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2024; 14:230-232. [PMID: 38388211 PMCID: PMC11103296 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2024-004812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Potenza
- Early Palliative Care Clinic, Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Mario Luppi
- Early Palliative Care Clinic, Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Camilla Zimmermann
- Department of Supportive Care and Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena Bandieri
- Early Palliative Care Clinic and Medical Oncology, Civil Hospital Carpi, Local Health Agency (USL), Carpi (MO), Italy
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Bandieri E, Borelli E, Bigi S, Mucciarini C, Gilioli F, Ferrari U, Eliardo S, Luppi M, Potenza L. Positive Psychological Well-Being in Early Palliative Care: A Narrative Review of the Roles of Hope, Gratitude, and Death Acceptance. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:672-684. [PMID: 38392043 PMCID: PMC10888238 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31020049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In the advanced cancer setting, low psychological functioning is a common symptom and its deleterious impact on health outcomes is well established. Yet, the beneficial role of positive psychological well-being (PPWB) on several clinical conditions has been demonstrated. Early palliative care (EPC) is a recent value-based model consisting of the early integration of palliative care into standard care for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. While the late palliative care primary offers short-term interventions, predominantly pharmacological in nature and limited to physical symptom reduction, EPC has the potential to act over a longer term, enabling specific interventions aimed at promoting PPWB. This narrative review examines nine English studies retrieved from MEDLINE/PubMed, published up to October 2023, focusing on EPC and three dimensions of PPWB: hope, gratitude, and death acceptance. These dimensions consistently emerge in our clinical experience within the EPC setting for advanced cancer patients and appear to contribute to its clinical efficacy. The choice of a narrative review reflects the novelty of the topic, the limited existing research, and the need to incorporate a variety of methodological approaches for a comprehensive exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bandieri
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Eleonora Borelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (M.L.); (L.P.)
| | - Sarah Bigi
- Department of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20123 Milan, Italy;
| | - Claudia Mucciarini
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Fabio Gilioli
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Umberto Ferrari
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Sonia Eliardo
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Mario Luppi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (M.L.); (L.P.)
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Leonardo Potenza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (M.L.); (L.P.)
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
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Borelli E, Benuzzi F, Ballotta D, Bandieri E, Luppi M, Cacciari C, Porro CA, Lui F. Words hurt: common and distinct neural substrates underlying nociceptive and semantic pain. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1234286. [PMID: 37829724 PMCID: PMC10565001 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1234286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Recent studies have shown that processing semantic pain, such as words associated with physical pain, modulates pain perception and enhances activity in regions of the pain matrix. A direct comparison between activations due to noxious stimulation and processing of words conveying physical pain may clarify whether and to what extent the neural substrates of nociceptive pain are shared by semantic pain. Pain is triggered also by experiences of social exclusion, rejection or loss of significant others (the so-called social pain), therefore words expressing social pain may modulate pain perception similarly to what happens with words associated with physical pain. This event-related fMRI study aims to compare the brain activity related to perceiving nociceptive pain and that emerging from processing semantic pain, i.e., words related to either physical or social pain, in order to identify common and distinct neural substrates. Methods Thirty-four healthy women underwent two fMRI sessions each. In the Semantic session, participants were presented with positive words, negative pain-unrelated words, physical pain-related words, and social pain-related words. In the Nociceptive session, participants received cutaneous mechanical stimulations that could be either painful or not. During both sessions, participants were asked to rate the unpleasantness of each stimulus. Linguistic stimuli were also rated in terms of valence, arousal, pain relatedness, and pain intensity, immediately after the Semantic session. Results In the Nociceptive session, the 'nociceptive stimuli' vs. 'non-nociceptive stimuli' contrast revealed extensive activations in SI, SII, insula, cingulate cortex, thalamus, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In the Semantic session, words associated with social pain, compared to negative pain-unrelated words, showed increased activity in most of the same areas, whereas words associated with physical pain, compared to negative pain-unrelated words, only activated the left supramarginal gyrus and partly the postcentral gyrus. Discussion Our results confirm that semantic pain partly shares the neural substrates of nociceptive pain. Specifically, social pain-related words activate a wide network of regions, mostly overlapping with those pertaining to the affective-motivational aspects of nociception, whereas physical pain-related words overlap with a small cluster including regions related to the sensory-discriminative aspects of nociception. However, most regions of overlap are differentially activated in different conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Borelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Benuzzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniela Ballotta
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Bandieri
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | - Mario Luppi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Cristina Cacciari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Carlo Adolfo Porro
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fausta Lui
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Borelli E, Bigi S, Potenza L, Gilioli F, Efficace F, Porro CA, Luppi M, Bandieri E. Caregiver's quality of life in advanced cancer: validation of the construct in a real-life setting of early palliative care. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1213906. [PMID: 37781192 PMCID: PMC10540081 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1213906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Early palliative care (EPC) improves the quality of life (QoL) of advanced cancer patients and their caregivers. The increasingly widespread use of this care model requires the development of measures supporting its interventions. Although the construct of patient's QoL has been extensively investigated and several QoL measures have been further validated, there is a paucity of data concerning the QoL of the caregiver. In 2018, McDonald and colleagues addressed this issue by interviewing 23 primary caregivers of advanced cancer patients who participated in an EPC randomized clinical trial to understand their perspective on the QoL construct. The Authors identified six major dimensions associated with the construct of caregiver's QoL. The present retrospective study aimed to validate these dimensions on a larger sample and in a real-life EPC setting. Methods Previously collected reports from 137 primary caregivers of advanced cancer patients on EPC answering questions about their experience with this care model were qualitatively analyzed through a deductive, thematic approach to identify and confirm the six dimensions constituting the construct of interest based on McDonald's and colleagues' results. Results The six dimensions ("living in the patient's world", "burden of illness and caregiving", "assuming the caregiver role", "renegotiating relationships", "confronting mortality", and "maintaining resilience") were consistently found in the reports from primary caregivers in a real-life EPC setting, confirming to be significant themes associated to their QoL. Conclusion A definite and recurrent construct of primary caregiver's QoL as described by McDonald and colleagues was also found in a larger sample and in a real-life EPC setting. Thus it may lay the groundwork for the development of a dedicated questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Borelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sarah Bigi
- Department of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Potenza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Gilioli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Efficace
- Health Outcomes Research Unit, Italian Group for Adult Hematologic Diseases (GIMEMA), Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Adolfo Porro
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Mario Luppi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Bandieri
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), Carpi, Italy
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Galve-Calvo E, Alonso-Babarro A, Martínez-García M, Pi-Figueras M, Villalba G, Alonso S, Contreras J. Narrative Review of Multidisciplinary Management of Central Nervous Involvement in Patients with HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: Focus on Elderly Patients. Adv Ther 2023; 40:3304-3331. [PMID: 37291377 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02538-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The tumor biology of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) promotes the development of central nervous system (CNS) metastases, with 25% of patients with HER2-positive BC developing CNS metastases. Furthermore, the incidence of HER2-positive BC brain metastases has increased in the last decades, likely because of the improved survival with targeted therapies and better detection methods. Brain metastases are detrimental to quality of life and survival and represent a challenging clinical problem, particularly in elderly women, who comprise a substantial proportion of patients diagnosed with BC and often have comorbidities or an age-related decline in organ function. Treatment options for patients with BC brain metastases include surgical resection, whole-brain radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, chemotherapy, and targeted agents. Ideally, local and systemic treatment decisions should be made by a multidisciplinary team, with input from several specialties, based on an individualized prognostic classification. In elderly patients with BC, additional age-associated conditions, such as geriatric syndromes or comorbidities, and the physiologic changes associated with aging, may impact their ability to tolerate cancer therapy and should be considered in the treatment decision-making process. This review describes the treatment options for elderly patients with HER2-positive BC and brain metastases, focusing on the importance of multidisciplinary management, the different points of view from the distinct disciplines, and the role of oncogeriatric and palliative care in this vulnerable patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Galve-Calvo
- Medical Oncology Service, Hospital Universitario Basurto (OSI Bilbao-Basurto), Avda. Montevideo 18, 48013, Bilbao, Bisczy, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jorge Contreras
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Carlos Haya, Málaga, Spain
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Bandieri E, Borelli E, Gilioli F, Bigi S, Mucciarini C, Ferrari U, Eliardo S, Pinto L, Porro CA, Efficace F, Luppi M, Potenza L. Stigma of Palliative Care among Patients with Advanced Cancer and Their Caregivers on Early Palliative Care. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3656. [PMID: 37509317 PMCID: PMC10377431 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The early referral to palliative care (PC) represents a successful value-based model with proven benefits regarding the quality of life and clinical outcomes for advanced cancer patients and their caregivers. Yet, its provision remains typically confined to the last weeks of life as per the historical, late PC model. The stigma according to which PC represents end-of-life care has been identified as the root of the problem. To explore the presence and effects of the stigma in a clinical context, we surveyed 78 patients and 110 caregivers (mean age: 71.7 and 60.7, respectively) on early PC to study what their perception of PC was before their direct experience. The responses were analyzed through a qualitative descriptive approach. The participants explicitly mentioned a lack of knowledge about PC (53% of the sample), which they identified also among physicians and the population (13%); an identification of PC with the late PC model (53%); and a detrimental reaction to the proposal of an early PC referral (83%). However, the participants explicitly mentioned that a direct experience of early PC allowed for an acquired awareness of early PC meaning and benefits (52%), as well as a comprehension of its differences with late PC (34%); the regret for the delayed referral (8%); the perception of the word "palliative" as a barrier (21%); and the belief that early PC should be part of the cancer routine practice (25%). A comprehensive multi-level intervention is necessary for a widespread understanding of the essence of anticipated PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bandieri
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, 41012 Carpi, Italy
| | - Eleonora Borelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Gilioli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Sarah Bigi
- Department of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Mucciarini
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, 41012 Carpi, Italy
| | - Umberto Ferrari
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, 41012 Carpi, Italy
| | - Sonia Eliardo
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, 41012 Carpi, Italy
| | - Lidia Pinto
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, 41012 Carpi, Italy
| | - Carlo Adolfo Porro
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Efficace
- Health Outcomes Research Unit, Italian Group for Adult Hematologic Diseases (GIMEMA), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Luppi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Leonardo Potenza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
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Mah SJ, Carter Ramirez DM, Eiriksson LR, Schnarr K, Gayowsky A, Seow H. Palliative care utilization across health sectors for patients with gynecologic malignancies in Ontario, Canada from 2006 to 2018. Gynecol Oncol 2023; 175:169-175. [PMID: 37392530 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early palliative care (PC) is associated with improved patient quality of life, less aggressive end-of-life care, and prolonged survival. We evaluated patterns of PC delivery in gynecologic oncology. METHODS We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study of gynecologic cancer decedents in Ontario from 2006 to 2018 using linked administrative health care data. RESULTS The cohort included 16,237 decedents; 51.1% died of ovarian cancer, 30.3% uterine cancer, 12.1% cervical cancer, and 6.5% vulvar/vaginal cancers. Palliative care was most often delivered in the hospital inpatient setting in 81%, and 53% received specialist PC. PC was first received during hospital admission in 53%, and by outpatient physician care in only 23%. Palliative care was initiated a median 193 days prior to death, with the lowest two quintiles initiating care ≤70 days before death. The average user of PC resources (third quintile) received 68 days of PC. While cumulative use of community PC gradually increased over the final year of life, institutional palliative care use exponentially rose from 12 weeks until death. On multivariable analyses, predictors of initiating palliative care during a hospital admission included age ≥70 years at death, ≤3 month cancer survival, having cervical or uterine cancer, not having a primary care provider, or being in the lowest 3 income quintiles. CONCLUSION Most palliative care is initiated and delivered during hospital admission, and is initiated late in a significant proportion. Strategies to increase access to anticipatory and integrated palliative care may improve the quality of the disease course and the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Mah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
| | - Daniel M Carter Ramirez
- Department of Family Medicine, Division of Palliative Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Lua R Eiriksson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Kara Schnarr
- Department of Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Hsien Seow
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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Bigi S, Borelli E, Potenza L, Gilioli F, Artioli F, Porzio G, Luppi M, Bandieri E. Early palliative care for solid and blood cancer patients and caregivers: Quantitative and qualitative results of a long-term experience as a case of value-based medicine. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1092145. [PMID: 36950093 PMCID: PMC10025337 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1092145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cancer patients and their caregivers have substantial unmet needs, that negatively impact the clinical outcome and quality of life. However, interventions aimed to address such needs are still suboptimal, failing to answer the recent healthcare call for the adoption of value-based models of care. In the case of incurable oncologic and hematologic cancers, a value-based model of care should plan advanced care on patients' needs and include the quality of death as an outcome. The integration of early palliative care into standard oncologic care for patients with advanced cancers represents a recent innovative model of assistance whose benefits for patients and caregivers are now widely recognized. The key elements underlying the reasons behind these benefits are the multidisciplinary collaboration (teamwork), an honest and empathetic communication between the early palliative care team, the patient, and the caregiver (rapport building), and the ability to detect changes in the physical/psychosocial wellbeing of the patient, along the whole disease trajectory (constant monitoring). Methods This community case study documents the quantitative and qualitative results of a long term clinical and research experience in delivering early palliative care service to address both solid and blood cancer patients' and their primary caregivers' needs. Results Data showed decreased use of chemotherapy, blood transfusions and referral to intensive care units near the end of life; increased life expectancy; improved symptom burden and mood; increased frequency of goals-of-care and advanced care planning conversations. Hope perception among bereaved caregivers was associated with resilience and realistic expectations raising from honest communication with the early palliative care team and appreciation toward the model. Patients and caregivers perceived the possibility of a good death as realistic and not as an unlikely event as it was for patients and caregivers on standard oncologic care only. Gratitude expressions toward the model and the team were frequently identified in their reports and positively associated with communication and spirituality. Conclusions These findings are discussed in the context of an updated literature review regarding value-based care and suggest that early palliative care integrated into standard oncology care may be considered as an effective model of value-based care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bigi
- Department of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sarah Bigi
| | - Eleonora Borelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Leonardo Potenza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Gilioli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation, USL, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Artioli
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | | | - Mario Luppi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Bandieri
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
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Bigi S, Ganfi V, Borelli E, Potenza L, Artioli F, Eliardo S, Mucciarini C, Cottafavi L, Ferrari U, Lombardo L, Cagossi K, Pietramaggiori A, Fantuzzi V, Bernardini I, Cruciani M, Cacciari C, Odejide O, Adolfo Porro C, Zimmermann C, Efficace F, Bruera E, Luppi M, Bandieri E. Perceptions of Death Among Patients with Advanced Cancer Receiving Early Palliative Care and Their Caregivers: Results from a Mixed-Method Analysis. Oncologist 2022; 28:e54-e62. [PMID: 36320128 PMCID: PMC9847550 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncologists are often concerned that talking about death with patients may hinder their relationship. However, the views of death held by patients have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to describe the perception of death among patients with advanced cancer receiving early palliative care (EPC) and their caregivers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed on 2 databases: (a) transcripts of open-ended questionnaires administered to 130 cancer patients receiving EPC with a mean age of 68.4 years and to 115 primary caregivers of patients on EPC with a mean age of 56.8; (b) texts collected from an Italian forum, containing instances of web-mediated interactions between patients and their caregivers. RESULTS Quantitative analysis shows that: (a) patients and caregivers are not afraid of speaking about death; (b) patients and caregivers on EPC use the word "death" significantly more than patients on standard oncology care (SOC) and their caregivers (P < .0001). For both participants on EPC and SOC, the adjectives and verbs associated with the word "death" have positive connotations; however, these associations are significantly more frequent for participants on EPC (verbs, Ps < .0001; adjectives, Ps < .003). Qualitative analysis reveals that these positive connotations refer to an actual, positive experience of the end of life in the EPC group and a wish or a negated event in the SOC group. CONCLUSIONS EPC interventions, along with proper physician-patient communication, may be associated with an increased acceptance of death in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bigi
- Corresponding author: Sarah Bigi, PhD, Department of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1—20123 Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 02 7234 3042; Fax: +39 02 7234 3667; ; or, Mario Luppi, MD, PhD, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71—41124 Modena, Italy. Tel: +39 059 4224641 (studio)—5570 (free-set); Fax: +39 059 4224429l;
| | - Vittorio Ganfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Leonardo Potenza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy,Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Artioli
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | - Sonia Eliardo
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | - Claudia Mucciarini
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | - Luca Cottafavi
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | - Umberto Ferrari
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | - Laura Lombardo
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | - Katia Cagossi
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Fantuzzi
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bernardini
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, USL, Carpi, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Cacciari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy,Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mario Luppi
- Corresponding author: Sarah Bigi, PhD, Department of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1—20123 Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 02 7234 3042; Fax: +39 02 7234 3667; ; or, Mario Luppi, MD, PhD, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71—41124 Modena, Italy. Tel: +39 059 4224641 (studio)—5570 (free-set); Fax: +39 059 4224429l;
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10
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Borelli E, Bigi S, Potenza L, Gilioli F, Artioli F, Porzio G, Porro CA, Efficace F, Bruera E, Luppi M, Bandieri E. Gratitude among advanced cancer patients and their caregivers: The role of early palliative care. Front Oncol 2022; 12:991250. [PMID: 36353529 PMCID: PMC9639866 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.991250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A cancer diagnosis represents a unique trauma, given its life-threatening, multidimensional, and uncertain nature. Gratitude is a construct representing the emotional state that arises when individuals recognize that a benefit has been received as a result of someone else's action or a spiritual entity's intervention. Based on the positive psychological wellbeing, gratitude has been associated with improved health outcomes even in the disease setting. Thus, the models of care that foster gratitude should be adopted in the clinical context. This study aims to explore whether and how gratitude may originate in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers undergoing early palliative care (EPC). METHODS We analyzed 251 reports from 133 patients and 118 caregivers describing their clinical experience in two EPC units. The sources of gratitude were identified and ranked based on their frequencies. Words expressing gratitude and words referring to communication and spirituality were collected by means of the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software and correlated. RESULTS In total, 123 (92.5%) of 133 patients' and 97 (82.2%) of 118 caregivers' reports, respectively, included explicit or implicit expressions of gratitude. Gratitude was associated specifically with successful physical symptom management, emotional support, improved attitude toward death, better information, humanity, and the familiar environment. The use of words of gratitude in patients' reports was positively correlated with the use of words referring to communication (r = .215, p = .026) and spirituality (r = .612, p <.001). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that interventions within the EPC model based on doctor-patient-caregiver communication may allow patients and caregivers to experience a feeling of gratitude, and this may represent a resource to be exploited to improve their physical and psychosocial wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Borelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sarah Bigi
- Department of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Potenza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Gilioli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation, Unitá Sanitaria Locale (USL), Modena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Artioli
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unitá Sanitaria Locale (USL), Carpi, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Adolfo Porro
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Efficace
- Health Outcomes Research Unit, Italian Group for Adult Hematologic Diseases (GIMEMA), Rome, Italy
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mario Luppi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Bandieri
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unitá Sanitaria Locale (USL), Carpi, Italy
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11
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Hasegawa T, Okuyama T, Uemura T, Matsuda Y, Otani H, Shimizu J, Horio Y, Watanabe N, Yamaguchi T, Fukuda S, Oguri T, Maeno K, Tamiya A, Nosaki K, Fukumitsu K, Akechi T. Prognostic Awareness and Discussions of Incurability in Patients with Pretreated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Caregivers: A Prospective Cohort Study. Oncologist 2022; 27:982-990. [PMID: 36067268 PMCID: PMC9632306 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although patients with advanced cancer often have poor prognostic awareness, the most effective communication approach for improving prognostic awareness is unclear. In addition, the association between prognostic awareness and preferences for future medical treatment remains unexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a prospective observational study of consecutive patients with advanced or post-operative recurrent non-small cell lung cancer whose disease had progressed after first-line chemotherapy, and their caregivers. We evaluated patterns of clinical discussions about incurability, prognostic awareness, and preference for future medical treatment at baseline and 3 months later. RESULTS We obtained 200 valid responses to the questionnaires at baseline and 147 valid responses 3 months later. In addition, 180 caregivers returned valid responses. A total of 54% of patients and 51% of caregivers had accurate awareness at baseline, and 52% of patients had accurate awareness 3 months later. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients who were informed about incurability in recent and past discussions were significantly more likely to have accurate awareness 3 months later, compared with those who were only informed recently (adjusted odds ratio 5.08; 95% CI, 1.31-19.78; P = .019). Accurate awareness at 3 months was significantly negatively associated with preference for life-prolonging treatment at 3 months after adjusting for covariates (adjusted odds ratio 0.39; 95% CI, 0.17-0.90; P = .028). CONCLUSION Patients with advanced cancer who had both recent and past discussions about incurability with their oncologists have more accurate prognostic awareness. Improving prognostic awareness could reduce the preference for life-prolonging treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Hasegawa
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toru Okuyama
- Corresponding author: Toru Okuyama, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya City University West Medical Center, 1-1-1 Hirate-cho, Kita-ku, Nagoya, 462-8508, Japan. Tel: +81 52 991 8121; Fax: +81 52 916 2038;
| | - Takehiro Uemura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan,Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Matsuda
- Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Otani
- Department of Palliative Care Team, and Palliative and Supportive Care, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Mitami-ku, Fukuoka, Japan,Department of Palliative Care Team, and Palliative and Supportive Care, St. Mary’s Hospital, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Junichi Shimizu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Horio
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Naohiro Watanabe
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Teppei Yamaguchi
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fukuda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Oguri
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan,Department of Education and Research Center for Community Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ken Maeno
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akihiro Tamiya
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kaname Nosaki
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Minami-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, Japan,Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kensuke Fukumitsu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Akechi
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan,Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
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12
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Mercadante S. The Paradigm Shift from End of Life to Pre-Emptive Palliative Care in Patients with Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153752. [PMID: 35954417 PMCID: PMC9367388 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Mercadante
- Main Regional Center for Pain Relief & Supportive/Palliative Care, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Via San Lorenzo 312, 90146 Palermo, Italy
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