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Mercadante S, Bruera E. Acute palliative care units: characteristics, activities and outcomes - scoping review. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2023; 13:386-392. [PMID: 36653151 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2022-004088] [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] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Acute palliative care units (APCUs) are lacking in most cancer hospitals and even when palliative care units are present, they are predominantly based on a traditional hospice-like model for patients with short life expectancy. This scoping review examined the papers assessing the activities of APCU. Data from literature regarding APCU characteristics, activities and outcomes have shown important differences among different countries.In comparison with existing data on traditional hospices, APCU provided a whole range of palliative care interventions, from an early treatment of pain and symptoms at time diagnosis and during the oncological treatment, up to the advanced stage of disease when they may favour the transition to the best supportive care or palliative care only, also indicating the best palliative care service that may fits the clinical and social condition of individuals. Large differences in the characteristics of such units, including hospital stay and mortality, have been evidenced, in some cases resembling those of a traditional hospice. It likely that in some countries such units supply the lack of other palliative care services.Further studies on APCUs are needed, even on other outcome processes, to provide a more precise identification among the palliative care settings, which should not interchangeable, but complimentary to offer the full range of activities to be activated according to the different needs of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Mercadante
- Main regional center for pain relief and supportive/palliative care, La Maddalena Cancer center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Department of supportive care, MD Anderson, Houston, Texas, USA
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2
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Power J, Gouldthorpe C, Davies A. Vital Signs in Palliative Care: A Scoping Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4641. [PMID: 37760611 PMCID: PMC10527359 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184641] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vital signs are routinely measured in secondary healthcare settings and can be used to detect clinical problems, guide treatment, and monitor response to treatment. Vital signs are less frequently measured in palliative care settings. Reasons for this are unclear. This scoping review aimed to assess the generic use of vital signs in palliative care, and its role in prognostication for adult patients with cancer receiving palliative care. Medline, Embase, and CINAHL were searched for articles involving adult patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care who had their vital signs measured. Twenty-six articles were identified in which one or a combination of vital signs, with or without other clinical parameters, was used to prognosticate for patients. An additional three articles investigated the generic use of vital signs in patients with advanced cancer. There was significant heterogeneity between identified studies, with some indication that changes in vital signs may indicate that a patient is close to death. However, other studies suggested that patients may maintain normal vital signs until the time of death. Further studies are needed to explore whether abnormal vital signs may be used as a prognostic indicator for patients with cancer receiving palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Power
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, D6W RY72 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Craig Gouldthorpe
- Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, D6W RY72 Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Andrew Davies
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, D6W RY72 Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
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3
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Wang Q, Peng L, Han Y, Li T, Dai W, Wang Y, Wu L, Wei Y, Xie T, Fang Q, Li Q, Lang J, Cao B. Preoperative Serum Sodium Level as a Prognostic and Predictive Biomarker for Adjuvant Therapy in Esophageal Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 10:555714. [PMID: 33552948 PMCID: PMC7858663 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.555714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low serum sodium has been associated with unfavorable outcome in several cancers. The prognostic value of serum sodium in esophageal carcinoma (EC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate preoperative serum sodium in association with outcome and survival benefit of adjuvant therapy for patients with EC. METHODS Preoperative serum sodium and clinicopathological indexes were retrospectively analyzed in 2155 patients who underwent esophagectomy at Sichuan cancer hospital. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. Benefit of adjuvant therapy was estimated by using Propensity Score Matching. RESULTS The incidence of hyponatremia and hypernatremia were 2% (43/2155) and 3.5% (76/2155) in treatment-naive patients. Both sodium disorders indicated unfavorable OS (hyponatremia, adjusted HR[95% CI] = 1.78[1.2-2.62]; hypernatremia, adjusted HR = 1.52[1.1-2.11]) and DFS (hyponatremia, adjusted HR[95% CI] = 1.52[1.03-2.23]; hypernatremia, adjusted HR = 1.45[1.06-1.99]). Decreased sodium concentrations within the normal range were associated with poor OS and DFS. Postoperative adjuvant therapy was associated with improved three-year OS (56.6 vs. 40%; adjusted HR = 0.55 [95% CI, 0.41-0.73]) and DFS (51.9 vs. 36.2%; adjusted HR = 0.63 [95% CI, 0.48-0.83]) versus surgery alone in patients with low serum sodium (Na < 139.6 mmol/liter), but not in other sodium subgroups. Meanwhile, serum sodium was inversely correlated with cell counts of leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and C-reactive protein levels. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that low preoperative serum sodium is associated with poor outcome in EC patients, and may predict survival benefit of adjuvant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifeng Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Peng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongtao Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Wei
- Department of medical oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianpeng Xie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiang Fang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinyi Lang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Bangrong Cao
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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4
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Oxygen use and survival in patients with advanced cancer and low oxygen saturation in home care: a preliminary retrospective cohort study. Palliat Care 2020; 19:3. [PMID: 31900147 PMCID: PMC6942361 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-019-0511-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The role of oxygen therapy in end-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer is incompletely understood. We aimed to evaluate the association between oxygen use and survival in patients with advanced cancer and low oxygen saturation in home care.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a primary care practice in suburban Tokyo. Adult patients in home care with advanced cancer demonstrating first low oxygen saturation (less than 90%) detected in home visits were consecutively included in the study. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to investigate the effect of oxygen use on overall survival and survival at home, adjusted for systolic blood pressure, decreased level of consciousness, dyspnea, oral intake, performance status, and cardiopulmonary comorbidity.
Results
Of 433 identified patients with advanced cancer, we enrolled 137 patients (oxygen use, n = 35; no oxygen use, n = 102) who developed low oxygen saturation. In multivariable analysis, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of oxygen use was 0.68 (95% confidence interval 0.39–1.17) for death and 0.70 (0.38–1.27) for death at home. In patients with dyspnea, the HR was 0.35 (0.13–0.89) for death and 0.33 (0.11–0.96) for death at home; without dyspnea, it was 1.03 (0.49–2.17) for death and 0.84 (0.36–1.96) for death at home.
Conclusions
Oxygen use was not significantly associated with survival in patients with advanced cancer and low oxygen saturation, after adjusting for potential confounders. It may not be necessary to use oxygen for prolongation of survival in such patients, particularly in those without dyspnea.
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Lind L, Zanetti D, Högman M, Sundman L, Ingelsson E. Commonly used clinical chemistry tests as mortality predictors: Results from two large cohort studies. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241558. [PMID: 33152050 PMCID: PMC7644047 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The normal ranges for clinical chemistry tests are usually defined by cut-offs given by the distribution in healthy individuals. This approach does however not indicate if individuals outside the normal range are more prone to disease. Methods We studied the associations and risk prediction of 11 plasma and serum biomarkers with all-cause mortality in two population-based cohorts: a Swedish cohort (X69) initiated in 1969, and the UK Biobank (UKB) initiated in 2006–2010, with up to 48- and 9-years follow-up, respectively. Results In X69 and in UKB, 18,529 and 425,264 individuals were investigated, respectively. During the follow-up time, 14,475 deaths occurred in X69 and 17,116 in UKB. All evaluated tests were associated with mortality in X69 (P<0.0001, except bilirubin P<0.005). For calcium, blood urea nitrogen, bilirubin, hematocrit, uric acid, and iron, U-shaped associations were seen (P<0.0001). For leukocyte count, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatases and lactate dehydrogenase, linear positive associations were seen, while for albumin the association was negative. Similar associations were seen in UKB. Addition of all biomarkers to a model with classical risk factors improved mortality prediction (delta C-statistics: +0.009 in X69 and +0.023 in UKB, P<0.00001 in both cohorts). Conclusions Commonly used clinical chemistry tests were associated with all-cause mortality both in the medium- and long-term perspective, and improved mortality prediction beyond classical risk factors. Since both linear and U-shaped relationships were found, we propose to define the normal range of a clinical chemistry test based on its association with mortality, rather than from the distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniela Zanetti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States of America
- Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Marieann Högman
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Sundman
- Department of Public Health Medicine, County Council of Gävleborg, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Erik Ingelsson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States of America
- Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford, CA, United States of America
- Department of Medical Sciences, Molecular Epidemiology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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6
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Hansen MB, Nylandsted LR, Petersen MA, Adsersen M, Rojas-Concha L, Groenvold M. Patient-reported symptoms and problems at admission to specialized palliative care improved survival prediction in 30,969 cancer patients: A nationwide register-based study. Palliat Med 2020; 34:795-805. [PMID: 32186244 DOI: 10.1177/0269216320908488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large, nationally representative studies of the association between quality of life and survival time in cancer patients in specialized palliative care are missing. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate whether symptoms/problems at admission to specialized palliative care were associated with survival and if the symptoms/problems may improve prediction of death within 1 week and 1 month, respectively. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS All cancer patients who had filled in the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL at admission to specialized palliative care in Denmark in 2010-2017 were included through the Danish Palliative Care Database. Cox regression was used to identify clinical variables (gender, age, type of contact (inpatient vs outpatient), and cancer site) and symptoms/problems significantly associated with survival. To test whether symptoms/problems improved survival predictions, the overall accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) for different prediction models was compared. The validity of the prediction models was tested with data on 5,508 patients admitted to palliative care in 2018. RESULTS The study included 30,969 patients with an average age of 68.9 years; 50% were women. Gender, age, type of contact, cancer site, and most symptoms/problems were significantly associated with survival time. The predictive value of symptoms/problems was trivial except for physical function, which clearly improved the overall accuracy for 1-week and 1-month predictions of death when added to models including only clinical variables. CONCLUSION Most symptoms/problems were significantly associated with survival and mainly physical function improved predictions of death. Interestingly, the predictive value of physical function was the same as all clinical variables combined (in hospice) or even higher (in palliative care teams).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken B Hansen
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lone Ross Nylandsted
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten A Petersen
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mathilde Adsersen
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leslye Rojas-Concha
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mogens Groenvold
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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7
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Abstract
Although dehydration is a serious condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality in palliative care patients, as in any other patient group, treatment remains controversial. A narrative review of the causes of dehydration during end of life was conducted paying special attention to the nature of terminal dehydration. A comprehensive search of the literature was performed to identify relevant articles published in English and German languages between 1960 and 2018. Currently available options for bed-side evaluation and therapeutic approaches were critically appraised and areas of future research are emphasized. The following inferences can be derived: 1) the available evidence does not support a clear decision in favor or against fluid therapy during the dying phase. 2) There is inadequate precision of the term end of life care (ELC) and insufficient differentiation between modes of dehydration of palliative care patients. 3) Evaluation of dehydration based on its clinical appearance is considered the method of choice compared to invasive procedures. 4) Detailed clinical assessment of symptom reversibility in terminal dehydration by an appropriate fluid challenge is mandatory in the decision-making process. 5) If despite adequate rehydration measures, complete reversibility of the clinical picture of dehydration can no longer be achieved since organ systems are gradually deteriorating, the cessation of clinically assisted hydration (CAH) can be considered. 6) If symptoms of dehydration are reversible after fluid challenge and no other patient wishes to the contrary are known, fluid management should be continued in the context of symptom control. 7) Hyperhydration represents a considerable threat during fluid management that needs to be prevented by noninvasive monitoring procedures. In conclusion, if CAH is applied as a part of ELC the hydration status needs to be individually appraised and all therapeutic measures constantly need to be adapted to the findings of diligent monitoring procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Suchner
- Department of anesthesiology and intensive care, Klinikum Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - C Gog
- Palliative care section, Sana-Klinikum Offenbach, Starkenburgring 66, 63069, Offenbach, Germany.
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8
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Cintra MTG. Hypodermoclysis for correction of hyperosmolar dehydration and severe electrolyte disturbances: a case report. GERIATRICS, GERONTOLOGY AND AGING 2020. [DOI: 10.5327/z2447-212320202000003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of dehydration and severe electrolyte disturbances using hypodermoclysis is usually contraindicated, but the level of evidence for its recommendation is based on expert opinion. This case report describes an older patient receiving palliative care who developed hyperosmolar dehydration with severe hypernatremia, acute kidney injury, and hyperkalemia. She was treated with hypodermoclysis using a hypotonic solution, which led to complete resolution of the condition. In conclusion, further studies on the use of hypodermoclysis for the treatment of severe hydroelectrolytic disorders are needed.
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9
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Weighing the prognostic role of hyponatremia in hospitalized patients with metastatic solid tumors: the HYPNOSIS study. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12993. [PMID: 31506579 PMCID: PMC6736887 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49601-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous works linked low sodium concentration with mortality risk in cancer. We aimed at weighing the prognostic impact of hyponatremia in all consecutive patients with metastatic solid tumors admitted in a two-years period at our medical oncology department. Patients were included in two cohorts based on serum sodium concentration on admission. A total of 1025 patients were included, of whom 279 (27.2%) were found to be hyponatremic. The highest prevalence of hyponatremia was observed in biliary tract (51%), prostate (45%) and small-cell lung cancer (38.9%). With a median follow-up of 26.9 months, median OS was 2 months and 13.2 months for the hyponatremia versus control cohort, respectively (HR, 2.65; P < 0.001). In the multivariable model, hyponatremia was independently associated with poorer OS (HR, 1.66; P < 0.001). According to the multivariable model, a nomogram system was developed and validated in an external set of patients. We weighed over time the influence of hyponatremia on survival of patients with metastatic solid tumors and pointed out the possibility to exploit serum sodium assessment to design integrated prognostic tools. Our study also highlights the need for a deeper characterization of the biological role of extracellular sodium levels in tumor development and progression.
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11
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Suchner U, Reudelsterz C, Gog C. „Terminale“ Dehydratation, Teil 2. Anaesthesist 2018; 67:879-892. [DOI: 10.1007/s00101-018-0502-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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12
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Bush SH, Lawlor PG, Ryan K, Centeno C, Lucchesi M, Kanji S, Siddiqi N, Morandi A, Davis DHJ, Laurent M, Schofield N, Barallat E, Ripamonti CI. Delirium in adult cancer patients: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines. Ann Oncol 2018; 29:iv143-iv165. [PMID: 29992308 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S H Bush
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa
- Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa, Canada
| | - P G Lawlor
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa
- Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa, Canada
| | - K Ryan
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin
- St Francis Hospice, Dublin
- School of Medicine, University College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Centeno
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Navarra Hospital, Pamplona
- Palliative Medicine Group, Oncology Area, Navarra Institute for Health Research IdiSNA, Pamplona
- ATLANTES Research Program, Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - M Lucchesi
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Cardio-Thoracic Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Kanji
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa
- Department of Pharmacy, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
| | - N Siddiqi
- Department of Health Sciences, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York
- Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - A Morandi
- Department of Rehabilitation, Aged Care Unit, Ancelle Hospital, Cremona, Italy
| | - D H J Davis
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, London, UK
| | - M Laurent
- Internal Medicine and Geriatric Department, APHP, Henri-Mondor Hospital, Créteil
- University Paris Est (UPE), UPEC A-TVB DHU, CEpiA (Clinical Epidemiology and Aging) Unit EA 7376, Créteil, France
| | | | - E Barallat
- Faculty of Nursing, Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - C I Ripamonti
- Department of Onco-Haematology Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
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13
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Prognostic evaluation in palliative care: final results from a prospective cohort study. Support Care Cancer 2018; 27:2095-2102. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4463-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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14
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Hausner D, Kevork N, Pope A, Hannon B, Bryson J, Lau J, Rodin G, Le LW, Zimmermann C. Factors associated with discharge disposition on an acute palliative care unit. Support Care Cancer 2018; 26:3951-3958. [PMID: 29850945 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4274-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acute palliative care units (APCUs) admit patients with cancer for symptom control, transition to community palliative care units or hospice (CPCU/H), or end-of-life care. Prognostication early in the course of admission is crucial for decision-making. We retrospectively evaluated factors associated with patients' discharge disposition on an APCU in a cancer center. METHODS We evaluated demographic, administrative, and clinical data for all patients admitted to the APCU in 2015. Clinical data included cancer diagnosis, delirium screening, and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) symptoms. An ESAS sub-score composed of fatigue, drowsiness, shortness of breath, and appetite (FDSA) was also investigated. Factors associated with patients' discharge disposition (home, CPCU/H, died on APCU) were identified using three-level multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS Among 280 patients, the median age was 65.5 and median length of stay was 10 days; 155 (55.4%) were admitted for symptom control, 65 (23.2%) for transition to CPCU/H, and 60 (21.4%) for terminal care. Discharge dispositions were as follows: 156 (55.7%) died, 63 (22.5%) returned home, and 61 (21.8%) were transferred to CPCU/H. On multivariable analysis, patients who died were less likely to be older (OR 0.97, p = 0.01), or to be admitted for symptom control (OR 0.06, p < 0.0001), and more likely to have a higher FDSA score 21-40 (OR 3.02, p = 0.004). Patients discharged to CPCU/H were less likely to have been admitted for symptom control (OR 0.06, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Age, reason for admission, and the FDSA symptom cluster on admission are variables that can inform clinicians about probable discharge disposition on an APCU.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hausner
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., 16-712, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Nanor Kevork
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., 16-712, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Ashley Pope
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., 16-712, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Breffni Hannon
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., 16-712, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - John Bryson
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., 16-712, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Jenny Lau
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., 16-712, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada.,Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gary Rodin
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., 16-712, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Princess Margaret Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lisa W Le
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Camilla Zimmermann
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., 16-712, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Princess Margaret Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
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Moreno-Alonso D, Porta-Sales J, Monforte-Royo C, Trelis-Navarro J, Sureda-Balarí A, Fernández De Sevilla-Ribosa A. Palliative care in patients with haematological neoplasms: An integrative systematic review. Palliat Med 2018; 32:79-105. [PMID: 29130387 DOI: 10.1177/0269216317735246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care was originally intended for patients with non-haematological neoplasms and relatively few studies have assessed palliative care in patients with haematological malignancies. AIM To assess palliative care interventions in managing haematological malignancies patients treated by onco-haematology departments. DESIGN Integrative systematic review with data extraction and narrative synthesis (PROSPERO #: CRD42016036240). DATA SOURCES PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Scopus and Web-of-Science were searched for articles published through 30 June 2015. Study inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) published in English or Spanish and (2) containing data on palliative care interventions in adults with haematological malignancies. RESULTS The search yielded 418 articles; 99 met the inclusion criteria. Six themes were identified: (1) end-of-life care, (2) the relationship between onco-haematology and palliative care departments and referral characteristics, (3) clinical characteristics, (4) experience of patients/families, (5) home care and (6) other themes grouped together as 'miscellany'. Our findings indicate that palliative care is often limited to the end-of-life phase, with late referral to palliative care. The symptom burden in haematological malignancies patients is more than the burden in non-haematological neoplasms patients. Patients and families are generally satisfied with palliative care. Home care is seldom used. Tools to predict survival in this patient population are lacking. CONCLUSION Despite a growing interest in palliative care for haematological malignancies patients, the evidence base needs to be strengthened to expand our knowledge about palliative care in this patient group. The results of this review support the need to develop closer cooperation and communication between the palliative care and onco-haematology departments to improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Moreno-Alonso
- 1 Palliative Care Service, Institut Catala d' Oncologia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Porta-Sales
- 1 Palliative Care Service, Institut Catala d' Oncologia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Monforte-Royo
- 2 Nursing, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Trelis-Navarro
- 1 Palliative Care Service, Institut Catala d' Oncologia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Sureda-Balarí
- 3 Clinical Haematology Service, Institut Catala d' Oncologia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Fiordoliva I, Meletani T, Baleani MG, Rinaldi S, Savini A, Di Pietro Paolo M, Berardi R. Managing hyponatremia in lung cancer: latest evidence and clinical implications. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2017; 9:711-719. [PMID: 29344107 PMCID: PMC5764155 DOI: 10.1177/1758834017736210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder in lung cancer patients. This condition may be related to many causes including incidental medications, concurrent diseases and side effects of antineoplastic treatments or the disease itself. Although not frequently life-threatening, it is usually associated with prolonged hospitalization, delays in scheduled chemotherapy, worsening of patient performance status and quality of life and may also negatively affect treatment response and survival. Most of the available data focus on thoracic tumors, especially small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), where hyponatremia is frequently related to the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Few studies specifically focus on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Hyponatremia treatment needs to be personalized based on severity and duration of sodium serum reduction, extracellular fluid volume and etiology. However, literature data highlight the importance of early correction of the serum concentration levels. To achieve this the main options are fluid restriction, hypertonic saline, loop diuretics, isotonic saline, tolvaptan and urea. The aim of this review is to analyze the role of hyponatremia in lung cancer patients, evaluating causes, diagnosis, management and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Fiordoliva
- Medical Oncology Unit, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Tania Meletani
- Medical Oncology Unit, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Giuditta Baleani
- Medical Oncology Unit, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Silvia Rinaldi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Agnese Savini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marzia Di Pietro Paolo
- Medical Oncology Unit, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Rossana Berardi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi di Ancona, Via Conca 71 - 60126 Ancona, Italy
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17
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Kremeike K, Wetter RML, Burst V, Voltz R, Kuhr K, Simon ST. Prevalence of hyponatremia in inpatients with incurable and life-limiting diseases and its association with physical symptoms-a retrospective descriptive study. Support Care Cancer 2017; 26:213-222. [PMID: 28821989 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-017-3837-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality seen in hospitalized patients. It may cause a variety of symptoms and is associated with longer hospitalizations and higher mortality. However, to date, only little is known about the extent of hyponatremia in patients with incurable diseases and whether it is associated with physical symptoms in this patient group. This study aims to describe the prevalence of hyponatremia, associated symptoms, and symptom intensity in inpatients with hyponatremia receiving specialist palliative care (SPC). METHODS This is a retrospective study. Demographic and clinical data as well as symptoms, scored symptom intensity, and laboratory values were collected. All inpatients of a large German University Hospital receiving SPC in 2013 with documented sodium values were included. RESULTS In 2013, 789 inpatients received SPC of which 710 had documented sodium values. The prevalence of hyponatremia was 38.7% (275/710). A mild degree showed 220 (31,0%), 44 (6.2%) had a moderate, and 11 (1.6%) a severe form. Hyponatremia patients experienced significantly more symptoms than normonatremic patients (mean = 7.71 vs 6.63; p < 0.001). Breathlessness, depressiveness, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, and weakness were significantly more frequent in patients with hyponatremia. Furthermore, hyponatremia severity was associated with higher symptom intensity (mean = 13.29 vs 11.28; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS More than one third of all SPC patients showed a hyponatremia, and the hyponatremia grade was associated with symptom burden and symptom intensity. A prospective analysis is needed to further examine this association and the possible influence of hyponatremia correction on symptom burden reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Kremeike
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50397, Cologne, Germany.,Centre for Integrated Oncology Köln Bonn (CIO), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ricarda M L Wetter
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50397, Cologne, Germany.,Centre for Integrated Oncology Köln Bonn (CIO), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Volker Burst
- Department 2 of Internal Medicine, Nephrology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Raymond Voltz
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50397, Cologne, Germany.,Centre for Integrated Oncology Köln Bonn (CIO), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Clinical Trials Center Cologne, (ZKS), Köln, Germany.,Center for Health Services Research (ZVFK), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kathrin Kuhr
- Institute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology (IMSIE), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Steffen T Simon
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50397, Cologne, Germany. .,Centre for Integrated Oncology Köln Bonn (CIO), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany. .,Clinical Trials Center Cologne, (ZKS), Köln, Germany.
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18
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Development and Testing of the End-of-Life Transfer Tool. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2017. [DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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19
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Jho HJ, Suh SY, Yoon SJ, Lee SS, Ahn HY, Yamaguchi T, Mori M, Maeda I, Baba M, Morita T. Prospective Validation of the Objective Prognostic Score for Advanced Cancer Patients in Diverse Palliative Settings. J Pain Symptom Manage 2016; 52:420-7. [PMID: 27387346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2016.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Prognostication is an essential part of palliative care to aid decision making and negotiate goals of care. The Objective Prognostic Score (OPS) is an easy-to-use prognosticating tool to predict survival among far-advanced cancer patients in palliative care units (PCUs) in Korea. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to prospectively validate the OPS for advanced cancer patients in the palliative care teams (PCTs), PCUs, and home-based palliative care (HPC) in Japan. METHODS This was a substudy of a multicenter prospective cohort study that was conducted to validate and compare prognostic tools among advanced cancer patients in Japan. Participants' survival was calculated according to OPS 3 as a cutoff for predicting survival of less than three weeks. Overall accuracy and area under the receiver operator characteristic curves of OPS 3 were calculated for PCT, PCU, and HPC, respectively. RESULTS A total of 1146 cases (PCTs 441, PCUs 519, and HPCs 186 cases) were included in final analyses. The overall accuracy of OPS 3 for predicting three-week survival ranged from 0.70 to 0.78 across diverse palliative care settings. The c-statistics ranged from 0.742 to 0.808 across three settings. Participants in the PCT showed the highest overall accuracy and c-statistics for OPS. CONCLUSION The OPS can be used for prognostication among advanced cancer patients in PCT, PCU, and HPC settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Jung Jho
- Palliative Care Clinic, Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Sang-Yeon Suh
- Department of Family Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, South Korea; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Dongguk University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Seok-Joon Yoon
- Department of Family Medicine, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | | | - Hong-Yup Ahn
- Department of Statistics, Dongguk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Takashi Yamaguchi
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masanori Mori
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Isseki Maeda
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mika Baba
- Department of Palliative Care, Saito Yukoukai Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Morita
- Palliative and Supportive Care Division, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
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20
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Mercadante S, Adile C, Caruselli A, Ferrera P, Costanzi A, Marchetti P, Casuccio A. The Palliative-Supportive Care Unit in a Comprehensive Cancer Center as Crossroad for Patients' Oncological Pathway. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157300. [PMID: 27332884 PMCID: PMC4917085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim The aim of this study was to assess how an admission to an acute palliative-supportive care unit (APSCU), may influence the therapeutic trajectory of advanced cancer patients. Methods A consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients admitted to APCU was assessed. The following parameters were collected: patients demographics, including age, gender, primary diagnosis, marital status, and educational level, performance status and reasons for and kind of admission, data about care-givers, recent anticancer treatments, being on/off treatment or uncertain, the previous care setting, who proposed the admission to APSCU. Physical and psychological symptoms were evaluated at admission and at time of discharge. The use of opioids was also recorded. Hospital staying was also recorded. At time of discharge the parameters were recorded and a follow-up was performed one month after discharge. Results 314 consecutive patients admitted to the APSCU were surveyed. Pain was the most frequent reason for admission. Changes of ESAS were highly significant, as well as the use of opioids and breakthrough pain medications (p <0.0005). A significant decrease of the number of “on therapy” patients was reported, and concomitantly a significant number of “off-therapy” patients increased. At one month follow-up, 38.9% patients were at home, 19.7% patients were receiving palliative home care, and 1.6% patients were in hospice. 68.5% of patients were still living. Conclusion Data of this study suggest that the APSCU may have a relevant role for managing the therapeutic trajectory of advanced cancer patients, limiting the risk of futile and aggressive treatment while providing an appropriate care setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Mercadante
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit and Supportive-Palliative Care Unit, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Palermo, Italy
- * E-mail: ;
| | - Claudio Adile
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit and Supportive-Palliative Care Unit, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Patrizia Ferrera
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit and Supportive-Palliative Care Unit, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Costanzi
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Sant’Andrea, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Marchetti
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Sant’Andrea, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Casuccio
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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21
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van den Beuken-van Everdingen MHJ, Hochstenbach LMJ, Joosten EAJ, Tjan-Heijnen VCG, Janssen DJA. Update on Prevalence of Pain in Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pain Symptom Manage 2016; 51:1070-1090.e9. [PMID: 27112310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.12.340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 924] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Cancer pain has a severe impact on quality of life and is associated with numerous psychosocial responses. Recent studies suggest that treatment of cancer pain has improved during the last decade. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to examine the present status of pain prevalence and pain severity in patients with cancer. METHODS A systematic search of the literature published between September 2005 and January 2014 was performed using the databases PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane. Articles in English or Dutch that reported on the prevalence of cancer pain in an adult population were included. Titles and abstracts were screened by two authors independently, after which full texts were evaluated and assessed on methodological quality. Study details and pain characteristics were extracted from the articles with adequate study quality. Prevalence rates were pooled with meta-analysis; meta-regression was performed to explore determinants of pain prevalence. RESULTS Of 4117 titles, 122 studies were selected for the meta-analyses on pain (117 studies, n = 63,533) and pain severity (52 studies, n = 32,261). Pain prevalence rates were 39.3% after curative treatment; 55.0% during anticancer treatment; and 66.4% in advanced, metastatic, or terminal disease. Moderate to severe pain (numerical rating scale score ≥5) was reported by 38.0% of all patients. CONCLUSION Despite increased attention on assessment and management, pain continues to be a prevalent symptom in patients with cancer. In the upcoming decade, we need to overcome barriers toward effective pain treatment and develop and implement interventions to optimally manage pain in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke H J van den Beuken-van Everdingen
- Center of Expertise for Palliative Care, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Laura M J Hochstenbach
- School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Health Services Research, Maastricht University (UM), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elbert A J Joosten
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands; School of Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Vivianne C G Tjan-Heijnen
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Daisy J A Janssen
- Center of Expertise for Palliative Care, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Research and Education, Center of Expertise for Chronic Organ Failure, CIRO+, Horn, The Netherlands
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22
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Nair S, Mary TR, Tarey SD, Daniel SP, Austine J. Prevalence of Hyponatremia in Palliative Care Patients. Indian J Palliat Care 2016; 22:33-7. [PMID: 26962278 PMCID: PMC4768447 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1075.173954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Hyponatremia is an undertreated finding in clinical practice. It is the most common electrolyte abnormality. Hyponatremia can be asymptomatic or can cause symptoms ranging from nausea and lethargy to convulsions and coma. Palliative care patients have a multitude of symptoms and there are several contributing factors towards this. Hyponatremia could be one of the contributing factors. Looking at the prevalence of hyponatremia would highlight the magnitude of the problem and would prompt healthcare professionals to investigate and treat hyponatremia in palliative care patients, which in turn might reduce symptoms such as fatigue and nausea. This could improve the quality of life in palliative care patients. Aim: To assess the prevalence of hyponatremia among patients referred for palliative care in a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: This is a descriptive study, with retrospective analysis of consecutive patient charts for 5 years. The sodium levels at the time of referral for palliative care, was reviewed. Inferential statistics for the result was calculated using the Z-test. Results: Of the 2666 consecutive patient charts that were reviewed, sodium values were recorded in 796 charts. Among the recorded charts, 28.8 % of patients showed hyponatremia at the time of referral which was significant with a P value of 0.000 (<0.05). Of these, 61.1 % had malignancy as their diagnosis and the rest had nonmalignant diseases, ranging from trauma to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conclusions: Prevalence of hyponatremia is significant in palliative care patients. A prospective study looking at the causes and clinical outcomes associated with hyponatremia in palliative care patients is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoba Nair
- Department of Palliative Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Thiophin Regina Mary
- Department of Palliative Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - S D Tarey
- Department of Palliative Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sudha Pauline Daniel
- Department of Palliative Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Jose Austine
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Fatima Mission Hospital, Palai, India
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23
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Sato K, Yokoi H, Tsuneto S. Shock Index and Decreased Level of Consciousness as Terminal Cancer Patients' Survival Time Predictors: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2016; 51:220-31.e2. [PMID: 26598038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Predicting prognosis using noninvasive and objective tools may facilitate end-of-life decisions for terminal cancer patients, their families, and other health care professionals. OBJECTIVES To investigate if the shock index (SI), along with decreased level of consciousness (DLOC), is a reliable tool for predicting short-term survival time in terminal cancer patients. METHODS A two-part retrospective cohort study was performed on 670 consecutive adult hospice patients. Part 1 of the study was performed to investigate the reliability of SI and DLOC on admission and to make a simple tool for predicting survival time. Part 2 of the study was to validate the tool's reproducibility and analyze the correlation between SI, DLOC, and survival time. RESULTS In Part 1, multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses for all study patients revealed that SI ≥ 1.0 in patients with DLOC was a significant risk factor of death (hazard ratio 3.08; 95% CI 1.72-5.53; P = 0.000). Generalized additive models confirmed that DLOC patients with SI = 1.0 had 9.58 days of mean survival time (MST). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses of SI in patients with DLOC revealed that a survival time of less than three days was most reliably predicted. In Part 2, an increase in SI statistically decreased survival time. The upper 95% CIs of the calculated mean survival time for DLOC patients with SI ≥ 1.0 were less than one week. Bootstrap analyses revealed that the 95% CIs of the predicted survival time were 4.54-6.18 days in DLOC patients with SI = 1.0. CONCLUSION An SI ≥ 1.0 along with DLOC is a highly reliable tool for predicting short-term survival time in terminal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko Sato
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Ise Municipal General Hospital, Ise, Japan.
| | - Hideto Yokoi
- Department of Medical Informatics, Kagawa University Hospital, Kagawa University, Miki, Japan
| | - Satoru Tsuneto
- Palliative Care Center, Department of Palliative Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Prognosis is a key driver of clinical decision-making. However, available prognostication tools have limited accuracy and variable levels of validation. METHODS Principles of survival prediction and literature on clinician prediction of survival, prognostic factors, and prognostic models were reviewed, with a focus on patients with advanced cancer and a survival rate of a few months or less. RESULTS The 4 principles of survival prediction are (a) prognostication is a process instead of an event, (b) prognostic factors may evolve over the course of the disease, (c) prognostic accuracy for a given prognostic factor/ tool varies by the definition of accuracy, the patient population, and the time frame of prediction, and (d) the exact timing of death cannot be predicted with certainty. Clinician prediction of survival is the most commonly used approach to formulate prognosis. However, clinicians often overestimate survival rates with the temporal question. Other clinician prediction of survival approaches, such as surprise and probabilistic questions, have higher rates of accuracy. Established prognostic factors in the advanced cancer setting include decreased performance status, delirium, dysphagia, cancer anorexia-cachexia, dyspnea, inflammation, and malnutrition. Novel prognostic factors, such as phase angle, may improve rates of accuracy. Many prognostic models are available, including the Palliative Prognostic Score, the Palliative Prognostic Index, and the Glasgow Prognostic Score. CONCLUSIONS Despite the uncertainty in survival prediction, existing prognostic tools can facilitate clinical decision-making by providing approximated time frames (months, weeks, or days). Future research should focus on clarifying and comparing the rates of accuracy for existing prognostic tools, identifying and validating novel prognostic factors, and linking prognostication to decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hui
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
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25
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Chen YT, Ho CT, Hsu HS, Huang PT, Lin CY, Liu CS, Li TC, Lin CC, Lin WY. Objective palliative prognostic score among patients with advanced cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage 2015; 49:690-6. [PMID: 25261639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2014.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The accurate prediction of survival is one of the key factors in the decision-making process for patients with advanced illnesses. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to develop a short-term prognostic prediction method that included such objective factors as medical history, vital signs, and blood tests for use with patients with advanced cancer. METHODS Medical records gathered at the admission of patients with advanced cancer to the hospice palliative care unit at a tertiary hospital in Taiwan were reviewed retrospectively. The records included demographics, history of cancer treatments, performance status, vital signs, and biological parameters, Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic curves were used for model development. RESULTS The Objective Palliative Prognostic Score was determined by using six objective predictors identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The predictors include heart rate >120/min, white blood cells >11,000/mm(3), platelets <130,000/mm(3), serum creatinine level >1.3 mg/dL, serum potassium level >5 mg/dL, and no history of chemotherapy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve used to predict seven-day survival was 82.0% (95% confidence interval 75.2%-88.8%). If any three predictors of the six were reached, death within seven days was predicted with 68.8% sensitivity, 86.0% specificity, 55.9% positive predictive value, and 91.4% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION The Objective Palliative Prognostic Score consists of six objective predictors for the estimation of seven-day survival among patients with advanced cancer and showed a relatively high accuracy, specificity, and negative predictive value. Objective signs, such as vital signs and blood test results, may help clinicians make decisions at the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ting Chen
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Hospice Palliative Medicine Unit, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Te Ho
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Hospice Palliative Medicine Unit, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hua-Shai Hsu
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Hospice Palliative Medicine Unit, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Tsung Huang
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Hospice Palliative Medicine Unit, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Yu Lin
- Department of Nursing, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Shong Liu
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Chung Li
- Graduate Institute of Biostatistics, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Health Care Administration, College of Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chieh Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Health Care Administration, College of Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yuan Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Hospice Palliative Medicine Unit, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Guirimand F, Sahut d'izarn M, Laporte L, Francillard M, Richard JF, Aegerter P. Sequential occurrence of dyspnea at the end of life in palliative care, according to the underlying cancer. Cancer Med 2015; 4:532-9. [PMID: 25644607 PMCID: PMC4402068 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dyspnea is a symptom that severely affects the quality of life of terminally ill patients. Its frequency differs considerably between studies. We aimed to characterize the frequency of dyspnea in a palliative care hospital (PCH) and to identify factors predisposing to dyspnea, particularly during the very last days of life, as a function of the underlying disease. Episodes of dyspnea were identified by the computerized extraction of prospectively collected data from the reports of care assistants or from medical observations recorded in the medical files for all stays at our PCH during the last 6 years. There were 6455 hospital stays, 88% ending in the death of the patient; 13,282 episodes of dyspnea were recorded during 2608 hospital stays (40%). Dyspnea was more frequently observed in cases of cancer than in other conditions (RR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.14–1.48). Pulmonary metastasis increased the risk of dyspnea from 37% to 51% (RR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.29–1.46). Dyspnea frequency varied with the primary cancer site, from 24% (brain cancer) to 60% (esophageal cancer). The data for cancer patients staying for more than 6 days who subsequently died indicated that 8% of patients experienced dyspnea exclusively during the last 4 days of the life, independently of the site of the primary cancer. Dyspnea during the last few days of life requires systematic assessment. Exclusively terminal dyspnea should be distinguished from more precocious dyspnea, as the pathophysiological mechanisms and treatments of these two forms are probably different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Guirimand
- Pôle Recherche SPES ("Soins Palliatifs En Société"), Maison Médicale Jeanne Garnier, Paris, 75015, France
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Shin SH, Hui D, Chisholm G, Kang JH, Allo J, Williams J, Bruera E. Frequency and Outcome of Neuroleptic Rotation in the Management of Delirium in Patients with Advanced Cancer. Cancer Res Treat 2014; 47:399-405. [PMID: 25648094 PMCID: PMC4506099 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2013.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The response to haloperidol as a first-line neuroleptic and the pattern of neuroleptic rotation after haloperidol failure have not been well defined in palliative care. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of haloperidol as a first-line neuroleptic and the predictors associated with the need to rotate to a second neuroleptic. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective review of the charts of advanced cancer patients admitted to our acute palliative care unit between January 2012 and March 2013. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of delirium and first-line treatment with haloperidol. Results Among 167 patients with delirium, 128 (77%) received only haloperidol and 39 (23%) received a second neuroleptic. Ninety-one patients (71%) who received haloperidol alone improved and were discharged alive. The median initial haloperidol dose was 5 mg (interquartile ranges [IQR], 3 to 7 mg) and the median duration was 5 days (IQR, 3 to 7 days). The median final haloperidol dose was 6 mg (IQR, 5 to 7 mg). A lack of treatment efficacy was the most common reason for neuroleptic rotation (87%). Significant factors associated with neuroleptic rotation were inpatient mortality (59% vs. 29%, p=0.001), and being Caucasian (87% vs. 62%, p=0.014). Chlorpromazine was administered to 37 patients (95%) who were not treated successfully by haloperidol. The median initial chlorpromazine dose was 150 mg (IQR, 100 to 150 mg) and the median duration was 3 days (IQR, 2 to 6 days). Thirteen patients (33%) showed reduced symptoms after the second neuroleptic. Conclusion Neuroleptic rotation from haloperidol was only required in 23% of patients with delirium and was associated with inpatient mortality and white race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Hoon Shin
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA ; Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - David Hui
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gary Chisholm
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jung Hun Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
| | - Julio Allo
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Janet Williams
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Shin SH, Hui D, Chisholm GB, Kwon JH, San-Miguel MT, Allo JA, Yennurajalingam S, Frisbee-Hume SE, Bruera E. Characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to the acute palliative care unit from the emergency center. J Pain Symptom Manage 2014; 47:1028-34. [PMID: 24246788 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Most patients admitted to acute palliative care units (APCUs) are transferred from inpatient oncology units. We hypothesized that patients admitted to APCUs from emergency centers (ECs) have symptom burdens and outcomes that differ from those of transferred inpatients. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to compare the symptom burdens and survival rate of patients admitted to an APCU from an EC with those of inpatients transferred to the APCU. METHODS Among the 2568 patients admitted to our APCU between September 1, 2003 and August 31, 2008, 312 (12%) were EC patients. We randomly selected 300 inpatients transferred to the APCU as controls (The outcome data were unavailable for two patients). We retrieved data on patient demographics, cancer diagnosis, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System scores, discharge outcomes, and overall survival from time of admission to the APCU. RESULTS The EC patients had higher rates of pain, fatigue, nausea, and insomnia and were less likely to be delirious. They were more than twice as likely to be discharged alive than transferred inpatients. Kaplan-Meier plot tests for product-limit survival estimate from admission to APCU for EC patients and inpatients were statistically significant (median survival 34 vs. 31 days, P<0.0001). In multivariate analysis, EC admission (odds ratio [OR]=1.8593, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1532-2.9961), dyspnea (OR=0.8533, 95% CI 0.7892-0.9211), well-being (OR=1.1192, 95% CI 1.0234-1.2257), and delirium (OR=0.3942, 95% CI 0.2443-0.6351) were independently associated with being discharged alive. CONCLUSION The EC patients have a higher acute symptom burden and are more likely to be discharged alive than transferred inpatients. The APCU was successful at managing symptoms and facilitating the discharge of both inpatients and EC patients to the community although the patients had severe symptoms on admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Hoon Shin
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - David Hui
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gary B Chisholm
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jung Hye Kwon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Julio A Allo
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sriram Yennurajalingam
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Susan E Frisbee-Hume
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Arai Y, Okajima Y, Kotani K, Tamba K. Prognostication based on the change in the palliative prognostic index for patients with terminal cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage 2014; 47:742-7. [PMID: 23880587 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Revised: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The use of the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) in relation to the clinical time course has not yet been established. OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between the changes in the PPI over time and the survival of terminal cancer patients in a palliative care unit (PCU). METHODS This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 374 terminal cancer patients who were admitted to the PCU of a university hospital in Japan. Clinical data, such as age, gender, body mass index, vital signs, initial PPI, and subsequent PPI, were collected from the medical records. The PPI change per day (ΔPPI) was calculated using the initial PPI at admission and the one after five to seven days. The factors associated with death within three weeks were identified using Cox proportional hazards model analysis. RESULTS After their admission to the PCU, 147 (39.3%) patients were deceased within three weeks. The multivariate-adjusted analysis showed that body temperature (hazard ratio [HR] 0.7; 95% CI 0.5, 1.0), initial PPI (HR 1.3; 95% CI 1.2, 1.4), and ΔPPI (HR 6.6; 95% CI 4.9, 9.0) were significantly and independently associated with death within three weeks. In the subanalysis, the ΔPPI was significantly associated with death within three weeks in the group with initial PPI ≤ 4 (HR 9.3; 95% CI 5.8, 15.0), 4 < initial PPI ≤ 6 (HR 14.4; 95% CI 5.7, 36.2), and initial PPI > 6 (HR 9.0; 95% CI 4.1, 20.0). CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the ΔPPI may be useful for predicting the survival of terminally ill cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Arai
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
| | - Yoshiro Okajima
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Kotani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Public Health, Jichi Medical University, School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kaichiro Tamba
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
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Abu Zeinah GF, Al-Kindi SG, Hassan AA, Allam A. Hyponatraemia in cancer: association with type of cancer and mortality. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2014; 24:224-31. [PMID: 24661476 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hyponatraemia is common in patients with cancer. The objectives of this study are to investigate the severity distribution of hyponatraemia and its association with mortality. We retrospectively reviewed medical records for patients admitted to a national centre for cancer care and research in Qatar between 2008 and 2012. A model was built through multivariate analyses to investigate the role of hyponatraemia in mortality. Patients were grouped into those who had moderate-severe hyponatraemia (Na < 130) and those who only had normal-mild hyponatraemia (Na ≥ 130). A total of 2048 patients were included in this study. Prostate (57.1%), pancreatic (50%), liver (49%) and lung (40.2%) cancers showed the highest frequency of moderate-severe hyponatraemia, while breast cancer showed the lowest frequency at 23.5%. In the multivariate analyses, patients with moderate-severe hyponatraemia (Na < 130 mmol/L) were 4.28 times more likely to die than those with normal-mild hyponatraemia (Na ≥ 130) (P < 0.05). The present study shows that hyponatraemia is a common electrolyte disturbance among hospitalised patients with cancer diagnoses. The severity of hyponatraemia was a statistically significant independent factor associated with higher in-hospital mortality. This is in accordance with the reported literature and emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and correction of hyponatraemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Abu Zeinah
- Department of Internal Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
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31
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Delirium in adult patients receiving palliative care: A systematic review of the literature. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rpsmen.2013.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Tsai HJ, Hsieh MY, Tsai YC, Liu ZY, Hsieh HY, Lee CM, Chien CH, Chiu YW, Chuang HY, Huang CT. Liver function tests may be useful tools for advanced cancer patient care: a preliminary single-center result. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2013; 30:146-52. [PMID: 24581215 DOI: 10.1016/j.kjms.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate prognostication in advanced cancer may facilitate better palliative care. An objective marker may be more applicable and appropriate than a subjective evaluation by physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate liver function tests as useful prognostic factors for survival in patients with advanced cancer. We recruited advanced cancer patients from January 2007 to December 2009. Data on age, sex, cancer diagnosis, site of metastases, clinical symptoms, and performance status were collected at the time of admission to the palliative care unit. Analyzed laboratory data were obtained on the Day 1 of admission to the palliative care unit. A total of 522 patients were enrolled; 322 (61.7%) of them were males. The mean age was 60.6 ± 13.2 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for age and sex demonstrated aspartate transaminase (AST) > 80 IU/L [odds ratio (OR) = 2.01, p = 0.010] and alanine transaminase > 80 IU/L (OR = 1.89, p = 0.047) were independently significant prognostic factors of death within 14 days. AST > 80 IU/L (OR = 3.67, p = 0.017) and albumin < 3.0 g/dL (OR = 1.98, p = 0.048) were independently significant prognostic factors of death within 6 months. Liver function tests may be useful prognostic factors for patients in the palliative care unit, in addition to being useful for patients with hepatobiliary cancer or liver metastasis. These biochemical tests of liver function with cutoff values can easily be used in palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ju Tsai
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yen Hsieh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Tsai
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Zi-Yun Liu
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ya Hsieh
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chiou-Mei Lee
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsin Chien
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Chiu
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Chuang
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Tsuan Huang
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
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Nelson M, Palmer JL, Fu J, Williams JL, Yadav R, Guo Y. Hyponatraemia in cancer patients on an inpatient rehabilitation unit. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2013; 23:363-9. [PMID: 24127815 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study identifies the incidence of hyponatraemia in cancer patients on an inpatient rehabilitation unit and examines the association between admission hyponatraemia and rehabilitation length of stay (LOS), functional outcome, and survival. After institutional review committee's approval, we retrospectively reviewed medical records of 295 consecutive patients who were admitted to this inpatient cancer rehabilitation unit between 27 January 2009 through 31 July 2010 in a tertiary cancer centre. The incidence of hyponatraemia in cancer patients admitted to our inpatient rehabilitation unit was 41.4%. Median rehabilitation LOS for patients with mild (Na 130-134 mEq/L) and moderate-severe (Na < 130 mEq/L) hyponatraemia was 11 and 15 days, respectively, which was significantly longer than patients with eunatraemia (10 days; P = 0.03). Functional Independence Measure gain for ambulation and transfers during inpatient rehabilitation stay was not significantly different between three different patient groups. We concluded that large portion of patients who require acute inpatient rehabilitation presented with hyponatraemia, which is associated with prolonged rehabilitation LOS. Whether aggressive management of hyponatraemia will shorten rehabilitation stay needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nelson
- Frazier Rehab Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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Sánchez-Román S, Beltrán Zavala C, Lara Solares A, Chiquete E. Delirium in adult patients receiving palliative care: a systematic review of the literature. REVISTA DE PSIQUIATRIA Y SALUD MENTAL 2013; 7:48-58. [PMID: 23911280 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2013.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Delirium in palliative care patients is common and its diagnosis and treatment is a major challenge. Our objective was to perform a literature analysis in two phases on the recent scientific evidence (2007-2012) on the diagnosis and treatment of delirium in adults receiving palliative care. In phase 1 (descriptive studies and narrative reviews) 133 relevant articles were identified: 73 addressed the issue of delirium secondarily, and 60 articles as the main topic. However, only 4 prospective observational studies in which delirium was central were identified. Of 135 articles analysed in phase 2 (clinical trials or descriptive studies on treatment of delirium in palliative care patients), only 3 were about prevention or treatment: 2 retrospective studies and one clinical trial on multicomponent prevention in cancer patients. Much of the recent literature is related to reviews on studies conducted more than a decade ago and on patients different to those receiving palliative care. In conclusion, recent scientific evidence on delirium in palliative care is limited and suboptimal. Prospective studies are urgently needed that focus specifically on this highly vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Sánchez-Román
- Departamento de Neurología y Psiquiatría, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Cristina Beltrán Zavala
- Clínica del Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Argelia Lara Solares
- Clínica del Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Erwin Chiquete
- Departamento de Neurología y Psiquiatría, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México.
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The frequency, cost, and clinical outcomes of hypernatremia in patients hospitalized to a comprehensive cancer center. Support Care Cancer 2013; 21:1871-8. [PMID: 23404230 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-013-1734-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2012] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the frequency of hypernatremia in hospitalized cancer patients and its impact on clinical outcomes and healthcare cost. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from patients admitted to the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center over a 3-month period in 2006. The clinical outcomes and hospital costs were compared among hypernatremics, eunatremics, and hyponatremics (serum sodium values include >147, 135-147, and <135 mEq/L, respectively). RESULTS Of 3,446 patients with at least one serum sodium value, 51.4 % were eunatremic, 46.0 % hyponatremic, and 2.6 % hypernatremic with most of the hypernatremia (90 %) acquired during hospital stay. The multivariate hazard ratio (HR) for mortality in hypernatremic was 5-fold higher than eunatremic (HR for 90 days-5.09 (95 % CI, 3.32-7.81); p < 0·01) and over 2-fold higher than hyponatremic (HR for 90 days-2.79 (95 % CI, 1.91-4.11), p < 0.01). The length of hospital stay in hypernatremic was 2-fold higher than in hyponatremic and 4-fold higher than in eunatremic (e.g., 27 ± 22 days in hypernatremic vs. 6 ± 5 days in eunatremic; mean ± SD, p < 0.01). The hospital bill was higher for hypernatremic compared with the rest of the groups (46 % over eunatremic and 37 % over hyponatremic, p < 0.01 for both). CONCLUSIONS Although hypernatremia was far less frequent than hyponatremia in the hospitalized cancer patients, most hypernatremia were acquired in the hospital and had substantially higher mortality, hospital stay, and hospital bills than eunatremic or even hyponatremic patients. Studies are warranted to determine whether avoidance of hypernatremia or its prompt and sustained correction improves clinical outcomes.
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Dev R, Del Fabbro E, Miles M, Vala A, Hui D, Bruera E. Growth of an academic palliative medicine program: patient encounters and clinical burden. J Pain Symptom Manage 2013; 45:261-71. [PMID: 22889857 PMCID: PMC3905688 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2012.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Revised: 02/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Information regarding the challenges of clinical growth and staffing of palliative care programs is limited. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to describe the growth and staffing structure of a palliative care program at a comprehensive cancer center. METHODS During fiscal years ending in 2000 through 2010, we recorded all billed palliative care consultations and follow-ups. To determine the yearly clinical burden per physician, advanced practice nurse (APN), and physician assistant (PA), we calculated the mean number of patient encounters per clinical full-time equivalents. Increase in absolute number of patient encounters and relative (%) growth from year to year were calculated. RESULTS Over the 10-year history of the program, the number of outpatient consultations tripled, whereas the inpatient consultations increased from 73 to 1880. In all cases, with the exception of the first year of operation, the vast majority of clinical activity was in the inpatient hospital setting. Growth in the ratio of inpatient consultations per operational hospital beds was noted during the first five years of the program followed by a more modest increase in the succeeding five years. In fiscal year 2010, palliative care physicians had 6.2 patient encounters per working day, and APNs/PAs independently evaluated and treated 4.0 additional patients. CONCLUSION Over the 10-year history, there has been an increase in the number of patient consultations seen by our palliative care program. The clinical burden was manageable during the first three years but quickly became too burdensome. Active recruitment of new faculty was required to sustain the increased clinical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rony Dev
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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Mercadante S, Valle A, Porzio G, Aielli F, Adile C, Casuccio A. Prognostic factors of survival in patients with advanced cancer admitted to home care. J Pain Symptom Manage 2013; 45:56-62. [PMID: 23017625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.12.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Revised: 12/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Data regarding prognostication of life expectancy in patients with advanced cancer are of paramount importance to patients, families, and clinicians. However, data regarding patients followed at home are lacking. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between various factors recorded at the beginning of home care assistance and survival. METHODS A sample of consecutive patients admitted to two home care programs was surveyed. A preliminary consensus was achieved as to the possible variables easy to be recorded at home. These included age at the time of home care admission, gender, residence, marital status, primary cancer diagnosis, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score, measures of systolic blood pressure and heart rate, cyanosis, use of oxygen, and body temperature. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System was used to record the intensity of each symptom. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with a survival of less than 10 days (short survival) and patients with a survival of 10 days or more (medium-long survival). RESULTS Three hundred seventy-four consecutive patients admitted to home care programs were surveyed, of which 187 were male. The mean±SD age was 72.1±12.7 years. The mean survival was 56.2±65 days. Mean survival was 71.5±67 days (287 patients) and 5.6±2.7 days (87 patients) in the short and medium-long survival groups, respectively. No association between type of tumor and survival was observed (P=0.162). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender (P=0.020), older age (P=0.012), lower KPS scores (P<0.0005), systolic blood pressure less than 100 mmHg (P=0.003), heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute (P=0.0006), delirium (P=0.004), the use of oxygen (P=0.002), intensity of fatigue (P=0.006), drowsiness (P<0.0005), anorexia (P<0.0005), dyspnea (P<0.0005), poor sense of well-being (P<0.0005), and distress score (P<0.0005) were associated with a survival of less than 10 days. Marital status, residence, cognitive function, fever, pain, depression, and anxiety were not found to be significantly correlated with survival. In a multiple logistic regression model, low systolic blood pressure and high heart rate, gender, delirium, use of oxygen, KPS score, drowsiness, anorexia, and dyspnea were significantly correlated with a shorter survival. CONCLUSION Low systolic blood pressure and high heart rate, male gender, poor KPS score, anorexia, and dyspnea were correlated with a shorter survival. Moreover, patients with low systolic blood pressure and high heart rate, male gender, poor KPS score, and greater intensity of anorexia and dyspnea are more likely to die within one week. The combination of physical symptoms from the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and other parameters included in this study, which are simple to assess and are repeatable at home, should be further explored in future studies to provide a simple tool for use with patients with advanced cancer admitted to a home care program.
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Al-Zahrani AS, El-Kashif AT, Mohammad AA, Elsamany S, Alsirafy SA. Prediction of In-Hospital Mortality of Patients With Advanced Cancer Using the Chuang Prognostic Score. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2012; 30:707-11. [DOI: 10.1177/1049909112467362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The prediction of in-hospital mortality may help in improving end-of-life care for patients dying of cancer. The Chuang Prognostic Score (CPS) was developed to predict survival of terminally ill patients with cancer. The CPS was assessed in 61 hospitalized adult patients with advanced cancer. Using a CPS cutoff point of ≥6, in-hospital mortality was predicted with 71% positive predictive value, 91% negative predictive value, 75% sensitivity, 89% specificity, and 85% overall accuracy. The patients were divided according to the CPS score into 3 groups (Group 1: CPS < 3.5, Group 2: CPS ≥ 3.5-<6, and Group 3: CPS ≥ 6) with a median survival of not reached, 118 days, and 16 days, respectively ( P < .001). The CPS may be useful in predicting in-hospital mortality of hospitalized patients with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amr T. El-Kashif
- Oncology Center, King Abdullah Medical City–Holy Capital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Shereef Elsamany
- Oncology Center, King Abdullah Medical City–Holy Capital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samy A. Alsirafy
- Palliative Medicine Unit, Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology & Nuclear Medicine (NEMROCK), Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Hui D, Kilgore K, Fellman B, Urbauer D, Hall S, Fajardo J, Rhondali W, Kang JH, Del Fabbro E, Zhukovsky D, Bruera E. Development and cross-validation of the in-hospital mortality prediction in advanced cancer patients score: a preliminary study. J Palliat Med 2012; 15:902-9. [PMID: 22663175 PMCID: PMC3462411 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2011.0437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Acute palliative care units (APCUs) provide intensive symptom support and transition of care for advanced cancer patients. Better understanding of the predictors of in-hospital mortality is needed to facilitate program planning and patient care. In this prospective study, we identified predictors of APCU mortality, and developed a four-item In-hospital Mortality Prediction in Advanced Cancer Patients (IMPACT) predictive model. METHODS Between April and July 2010, we documented baseline demographics, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), 80 clinical signs including known prognostic factors, and 26 acute complications on admission in consecutive APCU patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors for inclusion in a nomogram, which was cross-validated with bootstrap analysis. RESULTS Among 151 consecutive patients, the median age was 58, 13 (9%) had hematologic malignancies, and 52 (34%) died in the hospital. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with in-hospital mortality were advanced education (odds ration [OR]=11.8, p=0.002), hematologic malignancies (OR=8.6, p=0.02), delirium (OR=4.3, p=0.02), and high ESAS global distress score (OR=20.8, p=0.01). In a nomogram based on these four factors, total scores of 6, 10, 14, 17, and 21 corresponded to a risk of death of 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90%, respectively. The model has 92% sensitivity and 88% specificity for predicting patients at low/high risk of dying in the hospital, and a receiver-operator characteristic curve concordance index of 83%. CONCLUSIONS Higher education was associated with increased utilization of the interdisciplinary palliative care unit until at the end of life. Patients with higher symptom burden, delirium, and hematologic malignancies were also more likely to require APCU care until death.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hui
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Trajkovic-Vidakovic M, de Graeff A, Voest EE, Teunissen SCCM. Symptoms tell it all: a systematic review of the value of symptom assessment to predict survival in advanced cancer patients. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2012; 84:130-48. [PMID: 22465016 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2012.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Revised: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the prognostic meaning of symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. DESIGN Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Cinahl databases were systematically explored. The predicting symptoms were also evaluated in the three stages of palliative care: disease-directed palliation, symptom-oriented palliation and palliation in the terminal stage. RESULTS Out of 3167 papers, forty-four papers satisfied all criteria. Confusion, anorexia, fatigue, cachexia, weight loss, cognitive impairment, drowsiness, dyspnea, dysphagia, dry mouth and depressed mood were associated with survival in ≥ 50% of the studies evaluating these symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed confusion, anorexia, fatigue, cachexia, weight loss, dyspnea and dysphagia as independent prognostic factors in 30-56% of the studies. In the stage of disease-directed palliation anorexia, cachexia, weight loss, dysphagia and pain and in the stage of symptom-oriented palliation confusion, fatigue, cachexia, weight loss, dyspnea, dysphagia and nausea were shown to be independent predictors of survival in >30% of the studies. CONCLUSION Symptoms with independent predictive value are confusion, anorexia, fatigue, cachexia, weight loss, dyspnea and dysphagia. New insights are added by the variance between the three palliative stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Trajkovic-Vidakovic
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Eastman P, Martin P. Factors influencing survival after discharge from an Australian palliative care unit to residential aged care facilities: a retrospective audit. J Palliat Med 2012; 15:327-33. [PMID: 22356643 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2011.0319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing demand for palliative care unit (PCU) beds has led to shorter inpatient stays and a requirement to transfer some patients from a PCU to a residential aged care facility (RACF). Concerns have been raised regarding this move with suggestion that patients often die shortly after transfer. Published data investigating this patient group are limited. The aim of the current study was to audit discharges from a PCU to RACFs specifically looking at predictive factors for survival following discharge. METHODS A retrospective audit was undertaken of all discharges from the Barwon Health PCU to RACFs between July 2007 and July 2010. Data on patient demographics, clinical and functional status, admission and discharge details, and survival times were examined. Factors influencing survival were evaluated by Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. RESULTS Sixty-two discharges from a PCU to an RACF were included in the analysis. The mean age at discharge was 76 and the majority of patients had malignant disease. Mean and median survival times post-transfer were 106 and 42.5 days, respectively, and 16% of subjects survived more than 100 days. From univariate analyses age, PCU length of stay, admission Resource Utilization Groups-Activities of Daily Living (RUG-ADL) score, dependent mobility, having lung cancer or cancer of unknown primary, and living alone or in an RACF pre PCU admission affected survival. Multivariate analyses showed age, PCU length of stay, RUG-ADL score, and living situation prior to PCU admission together were associated with postdischarge survival times. CONCLUSIONS This study is one of the largest investigating this cohort and suggests a number of factors that may predict survival for patients after discharge from a PCU to an RACF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Eastman
- Department of Palliative Care, Barwon Health, Victoria, Australia.
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Abstract
Two vasopressin antagonists ('vaptans') are now in the market for the treatment of euvolemic (Europe) or euvolemic and hypervolemic (United States) hyponatremia: conivaptan for intravenous use and tolvaptan for oral application. Although their specificity and effectiveness are considered established, their indications are not. At present, we do not know which symptoms of hyponatremia and which degree of hyponatremia should serve as indications for vaptans. Other areas of uncertainty relate to the following unanswered questions: do vaptans shorten the duration of hospitalization? Is it justifiable to use them to prevent relapse of hyponatremia in (chronic) SIAD(H)? (In this text we use the abbreviation SIAD(H) instead of the recently proposed abbreviation SIAD to emphasize that vaptans will work only in the presence of ADH ('SIADH') but not in the syndrome of nephrogenic antidiuresis.) Do they decrease the high mortality associated with hyponatremia? How do we justify the cost of chronic vaptan therapy? The optimal vaptan regimen (dose, timing of controls) to treat SIAD(H) is currently not established, as is the procedure to be recommended in a too rapid correction rate of (chronic) hyponatremia. Until these requirements shall be met by additional studies, we are hesitant to consider vaptans a treatment of choice for the appropriate hyponatremias.
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Current World Literature. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2010; 4:293-304. [DOI: 10.1097/spc.0b013e328340e983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Current World Literature. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2010; 4:207-27. [DOI: 10.1097/spc.0b013e32833e8160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Hui D, Elsayem A, Palla S, De La Cruz M, Li Z, Yennurajalingam S, Bruera E. Discharge outcomes and survival of patients with advanced cancer admitted to an acute palliative care unit at a comprehensive cancer center. J Palliat Med 2010; 13:49-57. [PMID: 19824813 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2009.0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute palliative care units (APCUs) are new programs aimed at integrating palliative and oncology care. Few outcome studies from APCUs are available. OBJECTIVES We examined the frequency, survival, and predictors associated with home discharge and death in our APCU. METHODS All patients discharged from the APCU between September 1, 2003 and August 31, 2008 were included. Demographics, cancer diagnosis, discharge outcomes, and overall survival from discharge were retrieved retrospectively. RESULTS The 2568 patients admitted to APCU had the following characteristics: median age, 59 years (range, 18-101); male, 51%; median hospital stay, 11 days; median APCU stay, 7 days; and median survival 21 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 19-23 days). Five hundred ninety-two (20%), 89 (3%), and 1259 (43%) patients were discharged to home, health care facilities, and hospice, respectively, with a median survival of 60, 29, and 14 days, respectively (p < 0.001). Nine hundred fifty-eight (33%) patients died during admission (median stay, 11 days). Compared to hospice transfers, home discharge (hazard ratio = 0.35, 95% CI 0.30-0.41, p < 0.001) was associated with longer survival in multivariate analysis, with a 6-month survival of 22%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that male gender, specific cancer primaries, and admissions from oncology units were associated with death in the APCU, while younger age and direct admissions to the APCU were associated with home discharge. CONCLUSIONS Our APCU serves patients with advanced cancer with diverse clinical characteristics and survival, and discharged home a significant proportion with survival greater than 6 months. RESULTS from this simultaneous care program suggest a pattern of care different from that of traditional hospice and palliative care services.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hui
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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