Palliative Care Needs of Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: Perspectives of Multiple Stakeholders

Validation of the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) in adults with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

A primary palliative care model for cystic fibrosis (CF) recommends using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) for screening. Validation of the IPOS is needed.

METHODS

This secondary analysis utilized baseline data from a multisite trial of the palliative care model, Improving Life with CF. Adults with CF completed the IPOS, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-CF (MSAS-CF), the CF Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). IPOS structure was assessed using Cronbach α coefficients and a factor analysis. Construct validity was evaluated through bivariate relationships between IPOS scores and other questionnaire scores, and linear regressions assessing the extent to which the IPOS explains variance in quality-of-life domains.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 256 adults with complete IPOS data. α coefficients were .86 for the IPOS total score, .81 for the Physical Symptoms subscale, .79 for the Emotional Symptoms subscale, and .63 for the Communication/Practical Issues subscale. A two-component factor structure best aligned with the current subscales. IPOS scores were significantly associated with other measures; associations with MSAS-CF and CFQ-R subscales differentiated the IPOS Physical and Emotional subscales. The IPOS total score provided unique information about the variance in the CFQ-R Physical Functioning and Respiratory Symptoms domain scores.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with CF, the IPOS has acceptable internal consistency and there is evidence of construct validity. These findings support adoption of the IPOS in the primary palliative care model for CF.

Embedded Specialist Palliative Care in Cystic Fibrosis: Results of a Randomized Feasibility Clinical Trial

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive genetic disease characterized by multisystem symptom burden. Specialist palliative care (PC), as a model of care, has been shown to be effective in improving quality of life and reducing symptom burden in other conditions, but has not been tested in CF. Objectives: To develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of a specialist PC intervention embedded within an outpatient CF clinic. Design: Single-site, equal-allocation randomized pilot study comparing usual care with addition of four protocolized quarterly visits with a PC nurse practitioner. Participants: Adults with CF age ≥18 years with any of the following: FEV1% predicted ≤50, ≥2 CF-related hospitalizations in the past 12 months, supplemental oxygen use, or noninvasive mechanical ventilation use, and moderate-or-greater severity of any symptoms on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Measurements: Randomization rate, intervention visit completion, data completements, participant ratings of intervention acceptability and benefit, and intervention delivery fidelity. Results: We randomized 50 adults with CF of 65 approached (77% randomization rate) to intervention (n = 25) or usual care (n = 25), mean age 38, baseline mean FEV1% predicted 41.8 (usual care), and 41.2 (intervention). No participants withdrew, five were lost to follow-up, and two died (88% retention). In the intervention group, 23 of 25 completed all study visits; 94% stated the intervention was not burdensome, and 97.6% would recommend the intervention to others with CF. More than 90% of study visits addressed topics prescribed by intervention manual. Conclusions: Adding specialist PC to standard clinic visits for adults with CF is feasible and acceptable.

Development of a Cystic Fibrosis Primary Palliative Care Intervention: Qualitative Analysis of Patient and Family Caregiver Preferences

To prevent or mitigate chronic illness burden, people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) and their family caregivers need primary (generalist-level) palliative care from the time of diagnosis forward. We used qualitative methods to explore their preferences about a screening-and-triage model ("Improving Life with CF") developed to standardize this care. We purposively sampled and interviewed 14 pwCF and caregivers from 5 Improving Life with CF study sites. Thematic analysis was guided by a priori codes using the National Consensus Project's Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care. Participants included 7 adults and 2 adolescents with CF (3 with advanced disease), 4 parents, 1 partner (7 women; 5 people of color). Few were familiar with palliative care. Illness burden was described in multiple domains, including physical (e.g., dyspnea, pain), psychological (e.g., anxiety), and social (e.g., family well-being; impact on work/school). Most preferred survey-based screening with care coordination by the CF team. Preferences for screening approaches varied. PwCF and caregivers experience illness burden and are receptive to a CF-team delivered primary palliative care screening-and-triage model with flexible processes.

Telehealth and CFTR modulators: Accelerating innovative models of cystic fibrosis care

Better health and longer survival for many people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) compels the continued evolution of the CF care model. Designed to deliver specialized care for a complex chronic condition, the model is organized around interdisciplinary healthcare teams at dedicated care centers. Introduction of CFTR modulators and the COVID-19 pandemic have catalyzed the model's evolution. Many PwCF on modulator therapies are experiencing better health and considering changes in their daily care routines. Some of the growing number of adults with CF are experiencing age-associated co-morbidities, requiring coordination with new specialists. The pandemic accelerated the use of telehealth, revealing tradeoffs from new configurations of care delivery. Herein we review the implications of these recent shifts and offer recommendations to improve the quality of care coordinated across the interdisciplinary teams and an expanding field of subspecialists, while supporting the ability of the patient to take on greater responsibility in disease management.

Pediatric and Adult Cardiologists' and Respirologists' Referral Practices to Palliative Care

CONTEXT

Children and adults with advanced cardiac or respiratory disease may benefit from specialized palliative care (SPC), but there has been little SPC research in this area.

OBJECTIVES

To explore pediatric cardiologists' and respirologists' (pediatric clinicians) beliefs about and referral practices to SPC and compare these results to adult cardiologists and respirologists (adult clinicians).

METHODS

Pediatric and adult clinicians were sent a survey exploring SPC referral practices and beliefs. Responses were summarized with descriptive statistics. Pediatric and adult clinicians' responses were compared using Pearson's chi-square test.

RESULTS

The response rate was 56% (989/1759); 9% (87/989) were pediatric clinicians. Pediatric clinicians were more likely than adult clinicians to be female, work in an academic center, and experience fewer patient deaths (P<0.001). Pediatric clinicians reported better access to SPC clinical nurse specialists, spiritual care specialists and bereavement counselors (P<0.001), while adult clinicians reported better access to palliative care units (P<0.001). Pediatric clinicians referred to SPC earlier, while adult clinicians tended to refer after disease directed therapies were stopped (P<0.001). More than half of all clinicians felt patients had negative perceptions of the phrase "palliative care". Although most clinicians were satisfied with SPC quality (73-82%), fewer adult clinicians were satisfied with SPC availability (74 vs. 47%; P<0.001). Fewer pediatric clinicians felt that SPC prioritized oncology patients (13 vs. 53%; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

There are important differences between pediatric and adult clinicians' beliefs about and referral practices to SPC. This may reflect unique features of pediatric diseases, provider characteristics, care philosophies, or service availability.

Kidney and combined kidney and pancreas transplantation may be under-utilized in cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disorder and represents the most common inherited condition leading to death in Western countries. Previous reports of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in CF focus on cases post lung, or other solid organ, transplantation but CKD in CF patients pre transplantation is increasingly recognized as a challenging complication of CF. CKD can evolve as a sequel to acute kidney injury for example after prolonged treatment with aminoglycoside antibiotics during episodes of infection. Nephrolithiasis, diabetic nephropathy and a variety of glomerular lesions, such as amyloidosis and Immunoglobulin A nephropathy are also seen. Muscle depletion is common in CF, hence creatinine-based estimates of kidney function may underestimate the degree of renal impairment and lead to delayed diagnosis and management. Improved treatment options for CF patients have resulted in a sustained increase in life expectancy with increasing numbers of CF patients with CKD approaching end-stage renal failure prior to consideration of lung transplantation. We believe that kidney or combined kidney-pancreas transplantation are under-utilized in this population. We provide a brief primer on the landscape of CF and CKD and discuss transplant options. Suitable patients with CF and advanced CKD should be formally assessed for kidney or kidney-pancreas transplantation.

Prevalence of unmet pain and symptom management needs in adults with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Although people living with CF (PLwCF) commonly report pain and other symptoms, little is known regarding their experiences of living with and accessing treatment for burdensome symptoms.

METHODS

PLwCF completed online questionnaires assessing symptom prevalence and distress and were also asked about experiences accessing pain and symptom treatment, using both closed-ended and free-text entries.

RESULTS

Pain was the most prevalent symptom experienced among the 55 participants (76%) and the symptom that most commonly caused distress (64%). PLwCF not on CFTR modulator therapy were likelier to endorse pain as distressing (p = 0.007). Respondents expressed that their pain was commonly underrecognized and undermanaged, they desired a multi-modal approach to treatment, and noted concerns about disease progression affecting their symptom management options.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that PLwCF often have unmet symptom management needs that may impair quality of life.

Palliative Care in Pediatric Pulmonology

Children with End Stage Lung Disease (ESLD) are part of the growing population of individuals with life-limiting conditions of childhood. These patients present with a diverse set of pulmonary, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and developmental conditions. This paper first examines five cases of children with cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neuromuscular disease, pulmonary hypertension, and lung transplantation from Texas Children’s Hospital. We discuss the expected clinical course of each condition, then review the integration of primary and specialized palliative care into the management of each diagnosis. This paper then reviews the management of two children with end staged lung disease at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, providing an additional perspective for approaching palliative care in low-income countries.

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a monogenic disease considered to affect at least 100 000 people worldwide. Mutations in CFTR, the gene encoding the epithelial ion channel that normally transports chloride and bicarbonate, lead to impaired mucus hydration and clearance. Classical cystic fibrosis is thus characterised by chronic pulmonary infection and inflammation, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, male infertility, and might include several comorbidities such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes or cystic fibrosis liver disease. This autosomal recessive disease is diagnosed in many regions following newborn screening, whereas in other regions, diagnosis is based on a group of recognised multiorgan clinical manifestations, raised sweat chloride concentrations, or CFTR mutations. Disease that is less easily diagnosed, and in some cases affecting only one organ, can be seen in the context of gene variants leading to residual protein function. Management strategies, including augmenting mucociliary clearance and aggressively treating infections, have gradually improved life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis. However, restoration of CFTR function via new small molecule modulator drugs is transforming the disease for many patients. Clinical trial pipelines are actively exploring many other approaches, which will be increasingly needed as survival improves and as the population of adults with cystic fibrosis increases. Here, we present the current understanding of CFTR mutations, protein function, and disease pathophysiology, consider strengths and limitations of current management strategies, and look to the future of multidisciplinary care for those with cystic fibrosis.

Assessing Practices, Beliefs, and Attitudes about Palliative Care among People with Cystic Fibrosis, Their Caregivers, and Clinicians: Results of a Content Analysis

Background: Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience symptoms affecting quality of life and may benefit from palliative care (PC). Objectives: To present results of content analysis from open-ended survey questions assessing knowledge and experiences with PC among CF stakeholders. Design, Setting, Subjects: Online surveys were sent to CF stakeholders through CF-specific listservs predominantly in the United States. Measurements: Responses to five open-ended questions about CF PC-delivery, health care provider training, and lung transplant-underwent content analysis. Responses were coded using NVivo12 Software™. Results: Forty-eight CF adults, 59 caregivers, and 229 providers responded to the open-ended survey questions. Analysis showed 5 primary categories related to CF PC: (1) stakeholder perceptions of PC for CF, (2) delivering PC to people with CF, (3) conversations about PC for CF, (4) perceptions that PC services are underutilized for people with CF, and (5) beliefs that PC services are critical for people with CF considering or pursuing lung transplant. Analysis showed variation among and within groups in defining PC for CF, when, and how to deliver it. Many respondents felt PC was underutilized in CF. Most saw PC as particularly important when considering lung transplant, managing anxiety around transplant, and for goals of care discussions. Some believed PC and lung transplant were mutually exclusive. Conclusion: Respondents felt PC is underutilized for CF, and that people with CF may miss out on the benefits of PC. Among stakeholders, respondents felt people with CF would benefit from access to primary and secondary PC services.

Enhancing care for individuals with advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease

While remarkable advances in cystic fibrosis (CF) care have led to improvements in survival and quality of life, many individuals with CF are living with advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease (ACFLD) and others will face continued disease progression and its associated complex treatments and choices. This review will provide a summary of recently published guidelines for ACFLD care and lung transplant referral and highlight ongoing work to enhance the care of those with ACFLD through improvements in medical and psychosocial care, palliative care, and care around lung transplantation.

Models of Palliative Care Delivery for Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Evidence-Informed Consensus Guidelines

Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects more than 70,000 individuals and their families worldwide. Although outcomes for individuals with CF continue to improve, it remains a life-limiting condition with no cure. Individuals with CF manage extensive symptom and treatment burdens and face complex medical decisions throughout the illness course. Although palliative care has been shown to reduce suffering by alleviating illness-related burdens for people with serious illness and their families, little is known regarding the components and structure of various delivery models of palliative care needed to improve outcomes for people affected by CF. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) assembled an expert panel of clinicians, researchers, individuals with CF, and family caregivers, to develop consensus recommendations for models of best practices for palliative care in CF. Eleven statements were developed based on a systematic literature review and expert opinion, and address primary palliative care, specialty palliative care, and screening for palliative needs. These recommendations are intended to comprehensively address palliative care needs and improve quality of life for individuals with CF at all stages of illness and development, and their caregivers.