Masman AD, Tibboel D, Baar FPM, van Dijk M, Mathot RAA, van Gelder T. Prevalence and Implications of Abnormal Laboratory Results in Patients in the Terminal Phase of Life.
J Palliat Med 2018;
19:822-9. [PMID:
27494223 DOI:
10.1089/jpm.2015.0548]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Pathophysiological changes at the end of life may affect pharmacokinetics of drugs. However, caregivers typically do not extensively monitor patients' laboratory parameters at the end of life.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to describe laboratory parameters of hospice patients in the week before death.
METHODS
A cohort study was conducted on available laboratory results in the week before death, including clinical chemistry and hematology tests.
RESULTS
Laboratory data of 125 patients in a palliative care center were included, assessed at a median of 3 days before death. Eighty percent of patients had anemia and almost all had hypoalbuminemia (97%). Elevated levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (gGT) were found in 75%, of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in 60%, of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) in 60%, and of calcium (Ca) in 68%. Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), bilirubin, sodium (Na), and potassium (K) were abnormal in from 8.8% to 36.0% of patients. A previous unknown poor kidney function was found in 60% of patients. Thirteen patients (22%) with a regular morphine prescription and one patient treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) had severe kidney failure.
CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal laboratory results were expected due to the pathophysiological changes that occur during the last phase of life. Remarkably, however, electrolytes (Na and K) were balanced even shortly before death. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), reflecting the kidney function, seems the most clinically relevant laboratory parameter, because it may guide drug choice and dosing.
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