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Lucena A, Yuguero O. Systematic Review of Common Refractory Symptoms in the End-Of-Life Situation and Its Relation With Euthanasia. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024; 89:1113-1127. [PMID: 35441562 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221089123] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM To analyse the available evidence regarding refractory symptoms to treatment in patients receiving palliative/terminal healthcare. DESIGN A systematic review of various databases between September and December 2020; Pubmed; Cochrane; Scopus and ScienceDirect. Study eligibility criteria: Studies published between 1st January 2015 and 31st of March 2020, in Spanish, English or Catalan conducted in elderly people or terminal patients. The study included systematic reviews, clinical trials and interventions. RESULTS The search returned 782 articles, of which 22 articles were finally reviewed. Of the selected articles, 16 were systematic reviews and three were clinical trials. Three refractory symptoms are notable; breathlessness, delirium and existential suffering. There are various therapeutic approaches for the first two symptoms, but palliative sedation seems to be most effective for existential suffering. CONCLUSIONS Although palliative care enables controlling these symptoms effectively, and following a multidisciplinary approach, there remains a group of patients for whom euthanasia could save foreseeable suffering that is difficult to manage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Lucena
- Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Oriol Yuguero
- Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Lleida, Spain
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Tranung M, Solheim TS, Løhre ET, Marsaa K, Faksvåg Haugen D, Laird B, Thronæs M, Due Larsen M. Midazolam Indications and Dosing in Palliative Medicine: Results from a Multinational Survey. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:4093-4104. [PMID: 39057177 PMCID: PMC11276578 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31070305] [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: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite sparse evidence and limited guidance on indications, use, and dosing, midazolam is widely used in palliative care. We aimed to describe and compare the use of midazolam in three different countries to improve clinical practice in palliative care. We performed an online survey among palliative care physicians in Norway, Denmark, and the United Kingdom (UK). The focus was indications, dosing, administration, and concomitant drugs. A web-based questionnaire was distributed to members of the respective national palliative medicine associations. The total response rate was 9.4%. Practices in the UK, Norway, and Denmark were overall similar regarding the indications of midazolam for anxiety, dyspnoea, and pain treatment in combination with opioids. However, physicians in the UK used a higher starting dose for anxiety, dyspnoea, and pain treatment compared to Norway and Denmark, as well as a higher maximum dose. Danish physicians preferred, to a higher degree, on-demand midazolam administration. Despite practice similarities in the UK, Norway, and Denmark, differences exist for midazolam dosing and administration in palliative medicine. We demonstrated a lack of consensus on how midazolam should be used in palliative care, setting the stage for future studies on the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Tranung
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7034 Trondheim, Norway; (T.S.S.); (E.T.L.); (M.T.); (M.D.L.)
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Trondheim Hospital Pharmacy, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tora Skeidsvoll Solheim
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7034 Trondheim, Norway; (T.S.S.); (E.T.L.); (M.T.); (M.D.L.)
- Cancer Clinic, Trondheim University Hospital, St. Olavs Hospital, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Erik Torbjørn Løhre
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7034 Trondheim, Norway; (T.S.S.); (E.T.L.); (M.T.); (M.D.L.)
- Cancer Clinic, Trondheim University Hospital, St. Olavs Hospital, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Crisis Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristoffer Marsaa
- Department of Multidisease, Copenhagen University Hospital—North Zealand, 3400 Hilleroed, Denmark;
| | - Dagny Faksvåg Haugen
- Regional Centre of Excellence for Palliative Care, Western Norway, Haukeland University Hospital, 5009 Bergen, Norway;
- Department of Clinical Medicine K1, University of Bergen, 5007 Bergen, Norway
| | - Barry Laird
- Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, UK;
| | - Morten Thronæs
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7034 Trondheim, Norway; (T.S.S.); (E.T.L.); (M.T.); (M.D.L.)
- Cancer Clinic, Trondheim University Hospital, St. Olavs Hospital, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Michael Due Larsen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7034 Trondheim, Norway; (T.S.S.); (E.T.L.); (M.T.); (M.D.L.)
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
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Obarzanek L, Campbell ML. Dyspnea in Patients with Advanced Stage Cancer: A Nurses Guide to Assessment and Treatment. Semin Oncol Nurs 2022; 38:151255. [DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2022.151255] [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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Riss T. A case report of posttraumatic stress disorder at the end of life. Wien Med Wochenschr 2021; 172:184-188. [PMID: 34727275 DOI: 10.1007/s10354-021-00892-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A case of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the last days of life is presented. It shows insufficient pharmacological therapy and PTSD that was not recognized early enough. We discuss the dilemma caused by the necessity of a long-term psychotherapy and the challenge of little time being left at the end of life. Additionally, a language barrier can be a main reason for misinterpreting symptoms of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabea Riss
- PBZ Berndorf/NÖ, Leobersdorferstraße 8, 2560, Berndorf, Austria.
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Zemel RA. Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Dyspnea Management in Advanced Cancer Patients. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 39:847-855. [PMID: 34510917 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211040436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As there is a high propensity for patients with advanced malignancy to experience refractory dyspnea, it is necessary for physicians to be well-versed in the management of these patients' dyspneic symptoms. For symptomatic treatment of cancer patients with dyspnea, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods should be considered. The main source of pharmacologic symptom management for dyspnea is oral and parenteral opioids; benzodiazepines and corticosteroids may serve as helpful adjuncts alongside opioid treatments. However, oxygen administration and nebulized loop diuretics have not been shown to clinically benefit dyspneic cancer patients. Applying non-pharmacologic dyspnea management methods may be valuable palliative therapies for advanced cancer patients, as they provide benefit with negligible harm to the patient. Advantageous and minimally harmful non-pharmacologic dyspnea therapies include facial airflow, acupuncture and/or acupressure, breathing exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy, music therapy, and spiritual interventions. Thus, it is vital that physicians are prepared to provide symptomatic care for dyspnea in advanced cancer patients as to minimize suffering in this patient population during definitive cancer treatments or hospice care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Zemel
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Brookeville, MD, USA
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