Symptom frequency, severity, and quality of life among persons with three disease trajectories: cancer, ALS, and CHF

Integration of palliative care across the spectrum of heart failure care and therapies: considerations, contemporary data, and challenges

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by significant symptoms, compromised quality of life, frequent hospital admissions, and high mortality, and is therefore well suited to palliative care (PC) intervention. This review elaborates the current PC needs of patients with HF across the spectrum of disease, including patients who undergo advanced HF surgical therapies, and reviews the current data and future directions for PC integration in HF care.

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients with chronic HF, as well as those who are being evaluated for or who have undergone advanced HF surgical therapies such as left ventricular assist device or heart transplantation, have a number of PC needs, including decision-making, symptoms and quality of life, caregiver support, and end-of-life care. Available data primarily supports the use of PC interventions in chronic HF to improve quality of life and symptoms. PC skills and teams may also help address preparedness planning, adverse events, and psychosocial barriers in patients who have had HF surgeries, but more data are needed to determine association with outcomes.

SUMMARY

Patients with HF have tremendous PC needs across the spectrum of disease. Despite this, more data are needed to determine the optimal timing and structure of PC interventions in patients with chronic HF, left ventricular assist device, and heart transplantation. Future steps must be taken in clinical, research, and policy domains in order to optimize care.

Prevalence and correlates of fatigue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the frequency and correlates of fatigue in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

METHODS

Three databases were searched up to 2nd May 2023 to identify studies reporting fatigue frequency in ALS. Studies included had to identify ALS patients through one of ALS diagnostic criteria and measure fatigue by a validated tool with a specific cut-off value. Meta-analysis was conducted using RStudio's "meta" package with a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression explored the relationship between fatigue frequency in ALS and different covariates.

RESULTS

Eleven studies, compromising 1072 patients, met the inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. The pooled frequency of fatigue across all studies was 48% (95% CI = 40% to 57%). Our subgroup analysis based on the ALSFRS-R revealed a higher frequency of fatigue in studies with lower scores (< 30) compared to those with higher scores (≥ 30), with a pooled frequency of 62% (95% CI = 43% to 79%) and 43% (95% CI = 37% to 49%), respectively. Also, the meta-regression analysis showed a significant negative association between fatigue and ALSFRS-R mean (P = 0.02). The included studies reported an association between fatigue and lower functional status and poorer quality of life in patients with ALS.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that fatigue is prevalent in almost half of ALS patients and is associated with lower functional status and poorer quality of life, highlighting the importance of assessing and managing fatigue in ALS patients.

Public Health and Palliative Care

Meeting the needs of people at the end of life (EOL) is a public health (PH) concern, yet a PH approach has not been widely applied to EOL care. The design of hospice in the United States, with its focus on cost containment, has resulted in disparities in EOL care use and quality. Individuals with non-cancer diagnoses, minoritized individuals, individuals of lower socioeconomic status, and those who do not yet qualify for hospice are particularly disadvantaged by the existing hospice policy. New models of palliative care (both hospice and non-hospice) are needed to equitably address the burden of suffering from a serious illness.

Compromised end-of-life syndrome: Concept development from the condition of adults and older adults in palliative care

PURPOSE

This study aimed to develop the nursing diagnosis concept "compromised end-of-life syndrome" in palliative care.

METHODS

The authors used the integrative strategy by Meleis to develop the concept in this study and identifying clinical indicators from a literature review. For data organization, we applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metanalysis (PRISMA).

FINDINGS

Some clusters of unpleasant signs and symptoms in palliative care patients at the end of life, such as pain, dyspnea, depression, constipation, and anxiety, were identified. Through conceptualization, the authors propose a new nursing diagnosis, "compromised end-of-life syndrome." The manuscript includes a model case of a patient with nursing diagnosis syndrome as a clinical example.

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous patterns of signs and symptoms present in the literature reinforce the utility of the proposition of end-of-life syndrome as a nursing diagnostic construct.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The concept development related to patients' unpleasant signs and symptoms critically ill at palliative care supports the proposition of a new nursing diagnosis relevant to selecting adequate nursing interventions and nursing outcomes. Some clusters of unpleasant signs and symptoms in palliative care patients at the end of life, such as pain, dyspnea, depression, constipation, and anxiety were identified. Conceptualization was used to propose a new nursing diagnosis, "compromised end-of-life syndrome." A model case of a patient with nursing diagnosis syndrome is described as a clinical example.

CONCLUSION

Simultaneous patterns of signs and symptoms present in the literature reinforce the utility of the proposition of end-of-life syndrome as nursing diagnostic construct.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The concept development related to patients' unpleasant signs and symptoms critically ill at palliative care supports the proposition of a new nursing diagnosis relevant to selecting adequate nursing interventions and nursing outcomes.

Validity of the Modified Dyspnea Index for the French-Canadian Population

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Multidimensional tools could evaluate the dyspnea of patients with chronic lung disease. The aim was to validate the use of the French-Canadian version of the modified dyspnea index (MDI) among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and interstitial lung disease (ILD).

METHODS

The Spearman test analyzed the convergent validation of the MDI with pulmonary function tests (PFTs), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, the Modified Borg Scale, the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ), physical capacity, physical activity (Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire [GSLTPAQ]), and quality of life (SF-12).

RESULTS

The MDI had a low correlation with PFT and physical activity; a moderate with physical capacity; a high with the physical dimension (SF-12).

CONCLUSION

The results support the convergent validation of the MDI French-Canadian version with PAH or ILD.

Race and Insurance Impact on Hospital Admission From the Emergency Department for Patients Diagnosed With Heart Failure

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to analyze if patient race and the presence of insurance predict the odds of admission from the emergency department (ED) for patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF).

BACKGROUND

Excessive hospital readmissions for patients with CHF are considered a quality-of-care issue. Previous studies have not considered race and insurance in conjunction with quality measures in predicting hospital admission from the ED for these patients.

METHODS

A secondary data analysis was conducted from cross-sectional archival data from the 2015 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey using cross-tabulations with χ followed by multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Race and the presence of insurance were not significant in predicting the odds of admission from the ED for patients with CHF.

CONCLUSIONS

Being seen in the ED within the last 72 hours and seen by provider types consulting physician and nurse practitioner were significant (P ≤ .05) in predicting the odds of admission related to a diagnosis of CHF.

Symptom relief during last week of life in neurological diseases

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate symptom prevalence, symptom relief, and palliative care indicators during the last week of life, comparing them for patients with motor neuron disease (MND), central nervous system tumors (CNS tumor), and other neurological diseases (OND).

MATERIAL & METHODS

Data were obtained from the Swedish Register for Palliative Care, which documents care during the last week of life. Logistic regression was used to compare patients with MND (n = 419), CNS tumor (n = 799), and OND (n = 1,407) as the cause of death.

RESULTS

The most prevalent symptoms for all neurological disease groups were pain (52.7% to 72.2%) and rattles (58.1% to 65.6%). Compared to MND and OND, patients with CNS tumors were more likely to have totally relieved pain, shortness of breath, rattles, and anxiety. They were also more likely to have their pain assessed with a validated tool; to receive symptom treatment for anxiety, nausea, rattles, and pain; to have had family members receive end-of-life discussions; to have someone present at death; and to have had their family members offered bereavement support. Both patients with CNS tumor and MND were more likely than patients with OND to receive consultation with a pain unit and to have had end-of-life discussions.

CONCLUSIONS

The study reveals high symptom burden and differences in palliative care between the groups during the last week of life. There is a need for person-centered care planning based on a palliative approach, focused on improving symptom assessments, relief, and end-of-life conversations.

Hospice Use Among Patients with Heart Failure

Despite its many benefits, hospice care is underused for patients with heart failure. This paper discusses the factors contributing to this underuse and offers recommendations to optimise use for patients with heart failure and proposes metrics to optimise quality of hospice care for this patient group.

Symptom Clusters and Their Impacts on Hospital Readmission in Patients With Heart Failure: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Purpose:

Readmissions after hospitalization due to multiple symptoms in heart failure (HF) are common and costly. Patients have difficulty differentiating HF symptoms from comorbid illness or aging. Therefore, early identification of symptom clusters could improve symptom recognition and reduce hospital readmission. However, little is known about the relationship between symptom clusters and readmission in HF patients. This study aimed to identify symptom clusters among Korean patients with HF and the relationship between symptom clusters and hospital readmission.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 306 HF outpatients within 12 months after discharge. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the symptom clusters. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of symptom clusters on readmission, after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Results:

Three symptom clusters were identified in HF patients: the “respiratory distress” cluster, “bodily pain and energy insufficiency” cluster, and “circulatory and gastrointestinal distress” cluster. Patients with class III or IV of HF functional class experienced three symptom clusters at a higher level. This study showed that the “bodily pain and energy insufficiency” cluster was the strongest predictor of hospital readmission in HF patients (adjusted odds ratio = 6.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.29, 32.79]).

Implications for Practice:

A higher level of “bodily pain and energy insufficiency” cluster was associated with hospital readmission in Korean HF patients. Health-care providers should be encouraged to consider patients’ cultural backgrounds to recognize differences in symptom clusters. Further studies are needed to evaluate symptom clusters across international cohorts and their impacts on patients’ outcomes.

DenHeart: Differences in physical and mental health across cardiac diagnoses at hospital discharge

OBJECTIVE

To describe: (i) differences in patient reported physical and mental health outcomes at hospital discharge between a) cardiac diagnostic groups and b) cardiac patients and a national representative reference population and to describe (ii) in-hospital predicting factors for patient reported outcomes.

METHODS

A national cross-sectional survey combined with national register data. From April 2013 to April 2014 all patients (n=34,564) discharged or transferred from one of five Danish Heart Centres were invited to participate. 16,712 patients (51%) responded; 67% male and mean age 64years. All diagnostic groups were represented similar to real life proportions. Patient reported outcome measures included: SF-12, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, EQ-5D, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, HeartQoL and Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were found in all patient reported outcomes across diagnostic groups. Listed from worst to best outcomes were heart failure, heart valve disease, ischemic heart disease, infectious heart disease, arrhythmia, congenital heart disease and heart transplant. Also "observation for cardiac disease" scored poorly on some aspects such as anxiety and treatment control. Compared to the reference population, cardiac patients had lower physical and mental health scores. Predicting factors for worse outcomes across diagnoses were female sex, older age, being unmarried, planned admission, longer hospital stay, and higher co-morbidity score.

CONCLUSIONS

This large nationwide study finds significant differences in patient reported outcomes across cardiac diagnostic groups, however the differences were small and did not reach minimal important difference. The total population of cardiac patients had significant and clinically relevant poorer scores on mental and physical health than the reference population. Predicting factors for poor outcomes were identified. It is the first study comparing all diagnostic groups within cardiology and it provides important benchmarks between diagnostic groups and future comparisons. This knowledge may help clinicians make better decisions about post-hospital care and prevention.

Advancing palliative and end-of-life science in cardiorespiratory populations: The contributions of nursing science

Nursing science has a critical role to inform practice, promote health, and improve the lives of individuals across the lifespan who face the challenges of advanced cardiorespiratory disease. Since 1997, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) has focused attention on the importance of palliative and end-of-life care for advanced heart failure and advanced pulmonary disease through the publication of multiple funding opportunity announcements and by supporting a cadre of nurse scientists that will continue to address new priorities and future directions for advancing palliative and end-of-life science in cardiorespiratory populations.

Test of a Dignity Model in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Identifying, maintenance, and promotion of dignity in different patients of various cultures is an ethical responsibility of healthcare workers.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This study was conducted to investigate factors related to dignity in patients with heart failure and test the validity of Dignity Model.

DESIGN

The study had a descriptive-correlational design, and data collection was carried out by means of four specific questionnaires. Participants and context: A total of 130 in-patients from cardiac wards in hospitals affiliated with Tehran and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences participated. Ethical consideration: This study was approved by the Research Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

FINDINGS

Significant correlation showed the following: between illness related worries with dignity conserving repertoire score, between illness related worries with social dignity, between illness related worries with dignity conserving repertoire score, and between social dignity with dignity score. Goodness Fit Index and Comparative Fit Index were calculated greater than 0.9.

DISCUSSION

This study affirms the importance of careful evaluation of individual patients to determine their needs related to dignity.

CONCLUSION

According to the results, the necessity of using appropriate tools to assess various aspects of patients' dignity by clinical healthcare staff and design activities with particular focus on the main factors affecting dignity such as illness related worries and social dignity is recommended. Attention to this issue in everyday clinical practice can facilitate health professionals/nurses to potentially improve their patients' dignity, develop quality of care and treatment, and improve patients' satisfaction.