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Jung SY, Song HS, Kim JY, Koo HJ, Shin YS, Kim SR, Kim JH. Nurses' Perception and Performance of End-of-Life Care in a Tertiary Hospital. JOURNAL OF HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE 2023; 26:101-111. [PMID: 37790737 PMCID: PMC10542992 DOI: 10.14475/jhpc.2023.26.3.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to identify levels of perception and performance of end-of-life care among nurses and to investigate correlations between perception and performance. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive survey included 321 nurses from a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea. The participants had at least 6 months of work experience and had been involved in end-of-life care at least once, in either ward or intensive care unit settings. A structured questionnaire was utilized to assess their perception and performance of end-of-life care. Results The mean score for perception of end-of-life care was 3.23±0.34, while the score for performance of end-of-life care was 3.08±0.34. There was a significant positive correlation between nurses' perception of end-of-life care and their performance in this area (r=0.78, P<0.001). Conclusion It is necessary to change perceptions regarding end-of-life care and to develop systematic and standardized education programs including content such as assessing the hydration status of dying patients, evaluating mental aspects such as suicidal ideation, and providing spiritual care for nurses working in end-of-life departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo Yeon Jung
- Department of Nursing, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Ji Youn Kim
- Department of Nursing, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hoi Jung Koo
- Clinical Directorate, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | - Jeong Hye Kim
- Department of Clinical Nursing, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea
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Friedrichsen M, Lythell C, Waldréus N, Jaarsma T, Ångström H, Milovanovic M, Karlsson M, Milberg A, Thulesius H, Hedman C, Schaller AS, Jaarsma P. Ethical challenges around thirst in end-of-life care -experiences of palliative care physicians. BMC Med Ethics 2023; 24:61. [PMID: 37559116 PMCID: PMC10413708 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-023-00943-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thirst and dry mouth are common symptoms in terminally ill patients. In their day-to-day practice, palliative care physicians regularly encounter ethical dilemmas, especially regarding artificial hydration. Few studies have focused on thirst and the ethical dilemmas palliative care physicians encounter in relation to this, leading to a knowledge gap in this area. AIM The aim of this study was to explore palliative care physicians' experiences of ethical challenges in relation to thirst in terminally ill patients. METHODS A qualitative interview study with an inductive approach was conducted. Sixteen physicians working in four different specialised palliative care units and one geriatric care unit in different hospitals in Sweden were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed with a reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS When presented with an ethical challenge relating to thirst, physicians attempted to balance benefits and harms while emphasizing respect for the patient's autonomy. The ethical challenges in this study were: Starting, continuing or discontinuing drips; lack of evidence and traditions create doubt; and lack of interest and time may result in patient suffering. CONCLUSIONS All physicians in this study reported that "Starting, continuing or discontinuing drips" was the main ethical challenge they encountered, where some were so accustomed to the decision that they had a standard answer ready to offer patients and families. Physicians reported that drips were a symbol of thirst quenching, life and survival but were not necessary in end-of-life care. Others questioned the traditions regarding thirst and emphasised drips in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Friedrichsen
- Palliative Education and Research Centre, Vrinnevi hospital, Norrköping, Sweden.
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Caroline Lythell
- Palliative Education and Research Centre, Vrinnevi hospital, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Nana Waldréus
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Tiny Jaarsma
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Helene Ångström
- Palliative Education and Research Centre, Vrinnevi hospital, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Micha Milovanovic
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Vrinnevi hospital, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Marit Karlsson
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna Milberg
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Hans Thulesius
- Department of Medicine and Optometry, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden and Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Christel Hedman
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- R & D Department, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anne Söderlund Schaller
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Pier Jaarsma
- Division of Society and Health, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Hammond L, Chakraborty A, Thorpe C, O'Loughlin M, Allcroft P, Phelan C. Relieving Perception of Thirst and Xerostomia in Patients with Palliative and End-of-life Care Needs: A Rapid Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:e45-e68. [PMID: 36828290 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.02.315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Thirst and dry mouth are interlinked symptoms that frequently cause significant distress for patients with life-limiting conditions. OBJECTIVES The objective of this rapid review was to identify and synthesize effective interventions that relieve perceptions of thirst and dry mouth of patients with palliative care and end-of-life care needs. METHODS Eligible studies were undertaken in clinical settings, with patients experiencing thirst-related distress and/or dry mouth. This review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted following aspects of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. The main outcomes of interest were: 1) efficacy of thirst and dry mouth interventions for patient, and 2) patient, caregiver, and staff acceptability and satisfaction of the interventions. Scientific journal articles were retrieved through searches in electronic databases of MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), and AgeLine (EBSCO). RESULTS Eleven studies were included for analysis and synthesis of the results. Most studies either focused on a dry mouth intervention or reported dry mouth outcomes within a broader thirst intervention (n = 9/11 studies). Standard oral care was the common intervention type (n = 5/11). All but one dry mouth intervention reported statistical improvement in outcomes of interest. All studies that reported on thirst were conducted in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting (n = 4/4). No studies specifically addressed thirst in patients in specialist palliative care settings. CONCLUSION Evidence from this review suggests that thirst interventions established within the ICU setting may prove effective for treatment of terminally ill patients receiving specialist palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Hammond
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University (L.H., A.C., C.T., M.O., P.A., C.P.), Bedford Park, South Australia
| | - Amal Chakraborty
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University (L.H., A.C., C.T., M.O., P.A., C.P.), Bedford Park, South Australia
| | - Courtney Thorpe
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University (L.H., A.C., C.T., M.O., P.A., C.P.), Bedford Park, South Australia
| | - Muireann O'Loughlin
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University (L.H., A.C., C.T., M.O., P.A., C.P.), Bedford Park, South Australia; Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Southern Adelaide Palliative Services (M.O., P.A.), Bedford Park, South Australia
| | - Peter Allcroft
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University (L.H., A.C., C.T., M.O., P.A., C.P.), Bedford Park, South Australia; Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Southern Adelaide Palliative Services (M.O., P.A.), Bedford Park, South Australia
| | - Caroline Phelan
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University (L.H., A.C., C.T., M.O., P.A., C.P.), Bedford Park, South Australia.
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Pérez-Camargo DA, Allende-Pérez SR, Rivera-Franco MM, Urbalejo-Ceniceros VI, Sevilla-González MDLL, Arzate-Mireles CE, Copca-Mendoza ET. Clinical effects of hydration, supplementary vitamins, and trace elements during end-of-life care for cancer patients. NUTR HOSP 2023. [PMID: 37073755 DOI: 10.20960/nh.04446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION current data regarding the decision on rehydration of patients with terminal-stage cancer remain controversial. OBJECTIVE the present study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous hydration and supplementary vitamins and trace elements on clinical symptoms and biochemical parameters in palliative cancer patients. METHODS a randomized clinical trial including 72 palliative cancer patients aged 18 years and older was performed at the National Cancer Institute in Mexico. Patients were divided into two groups: intervention and control, both receiving intravenous saline solution weekly for 4 weeks, but the former was also supplemented with vitamins and trace elements. Symptoms were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks after with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Same measurements applied to biochemical parameters. RESULTS the mean age of the patients was 58.75 years. The most frequent cancer diagnoses were gastrointestinal (32 %). In the between-groups analysis significant improvements were found for the intervention group in anorexia (p = 0.024), pain (p = 0.030), chloride (p = 0.043), phosphorus (p = 0.001), potassium (p = 0.006), and total proteins (< 0.0001). CONCLUSION we highlight the improvement in the control of most symptoms and some biochemical parameters in the intervention group receiving vitamins and oligoelements along with intravenous hydration. Further studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mónica M Rivera-Franco
- Department of Hematology and Oncology. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán
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Meier C, Vilpert S, Borasio GD, Maurer J, Jox RJ. Perceptions and Knowledge Regarding Medical Situations at the End of Life among Older Adults in Switzerland. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:35-46. [PMID: 35766582 PMCID: PMC10024066 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Perceptions and knowledge regarding end-of-life health and health care can influence individuals' advance care planning, such as the completion and content of advance directives. Objectives: To assess older adults' perceptions of medical end-of-life situations in Switzerland along with their accuracy and corresponding associations with sociodemographic characteristics. Design: This is an observational study. Setting/study subjects: A nationally representative sample of adults aged 58 years and older who participated in wave 8 (2019/2020) of the Swiss part of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (cooperation rate: 94.3%). Measurements: Subjective likelihood of 11 end-of-life situations on a 4-point scale: very unlikely (0-25%), rather unlikely (26%-50%), rather likely (51%-75%), and very likely (76%-100%). Results: Older adults' perceptions of end-of-life medical situations in Switzerland were rather heterogeneous and often inaccurate. Study subjects overestimated the success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the utility of a fourth-line chemotherapy, of hospital admission for pneumonia for patients with advanced dementia, and for artificial nutrition and hydration in the dying phase, while underestimating the effectiveness of pain management in this situation. Less than 28% of older adults correctly assessed the likelihood of dying in a nursing home, hospital, or at home, respectively. Inaccurate views were more frequent in men (p < 0.01) and individuals with financial difficulties (p < 0.05), whereas adults aged 75+ years (p < 0.01) and respondents from the German-speaking part of Switzerland (p < 0.01) had more accurate perceptions. Conclusions: The wide variation and low accuracy of end-of-life perceptions suggest considerable scope for communication interventions about the reality of end-of-life health and health care in Switzerland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Meier
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM), Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences (FORS), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Faculty of Business and Economics (HEC), Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences (FORS), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Address correspondence to: Clément Meier, MSc, Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM), Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences (FORS), University of Lausanne, Bâtiment Géopolis, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Vilpert
- Faculty of Business and Economics (HEC), Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences (FORS), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gian Domenico Borasio
- Palliative and Supportive Care Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Maurer
- Faculty of Business and Economics (HEC), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ralf J. Jox
- Palliative and Supportive Care Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Humanities in Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Ikari T, Hiratsuka Y, Cheng SY, Miyashita M, Morita T, Mori M, Uneno Y, Amano K, Uehara Y, Yamaguchi T, Maeda I, Inoue A. Factors associated with good death of patients with advanced cancer: a prospective study in Japan. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:9577-9586. [PMID: 36125610 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07363-1] [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: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE It is important for palliative care providers to identify what factors are associated with a "good death" for patients with advanced cancer. We aimed to identify factors associated with a "good death" evaluated by the Good Death Scale (GDS) score among inpatients with advanced cancer in palliative care units (PCUs) in Japan. METHODS The study is a sub-analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study conducted in Japan. All variables were recorded on a structured data collecting sheet designed for the study. We classified each patient into better GDS group or worse GDS group, and examined factors associated with better GDS using multivariate analysis. RESULTS Between January and December 2017, 1896 patients were enrolled across 22 PCUs in Japan. Among them, a total of 1157 patients were evaluated. Five variables were significantly associated with a better GDS score in multivariate analysis: preferred place of death at PCU (odds ratio [OR] 2.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72-4.71; p < 0.01), longer survival time (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00-1.03; p < 0.01), not sudden death (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.27-3.04; p < 0.01), better spiritual well-being in the last 3 days in life (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.42-0.68; p < 0.01), and better communication between patient and family (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.66-0.98; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS We identified factors associated with a "good death" using GDS among advanced cancer patients in Japanese PCUs. Recognition of factors associated with GDS could help to improve the quality of end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoo Ikari
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Palliative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yusuke Hiratsuka
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. .,Department of Palliative Medicine, Takeda General Hospital, Aizu Wakamatsu, Japan.
| | - Shao-Yi Cheng
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mitsunori Miyashita
- Department of Palliative Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Morita
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Masanori Mori
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yu Uneno
- Department of Therapeutic Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koji Amano
- Department of Palliative Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Uehara
- Department of Palliative Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.,Department of Palliative Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamaguchi
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Isseki Maeda
- Department of Palliative Care Senri-Chuo Hospital, Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Akira Inoue
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Donati E, Plotton C, Mainaud N, Gocko X. Arrêt de l’hydratation artificielle chez les patients en fin de vie : une revue systématique de la littérature. Bull Cancer 2022; 109:1073-1081. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2022.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Agar MR, Chang S, Amgarth-Duff I, Garcia MV, Hunt J, Phillips JL, Sinnarajah A, Fainsinger R. Investigating the benefits and harms of hypodermoclysis of patients in palliative care: A consecutive cohort study. Palliat Med 2022; 36:830-840. [PMID: 35531661 DOI: 10.1177/02692163221082245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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 populations are at risk for dehydration which can cause discomfort, distress and cognitive symptoms. Subcutaneous hydration ('hypodermoclysis') has been used as an alternative administration route to the more invasive intravenous route, but research is lacking on its net clinical effects (harms and benefits) for palliative populations, particularly in real world settings. AIM To quantify prospectively the net clinical effects of hypodermoclysis in palliative patients with advanced disease who required supplementary fluids. DESIGN Multisite, multinational consecutive cohort study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Patients receiving hypodermoclysis in an inpatient palliative care setting. RESULTS Twenty sites contributed data for 99 patients, of which 88 had complete benefits and harms data. The most common primary target symptom for infusion was generalised weakness (18.2%), and the most common non-symptom indication was supplemental hydration (31.8%). Benefits were experienced in 33% of patients in their primary target symptom, and in any symptom in 56.8%. Harms were experienced in 38.7% of patients (42% at Grade 1). Benefits increased with higher performance status, while harms were more frequent in patients with lower performance status (Australia-modified Karnofsky performance status ⩽40). Patients in the terminal phase of their illness experienced the least benefit (15.4% in any indication only) and had more frequent harms (38%). CONCLUSIONS Hypodermoclysis may improve certain symptoms in patients in palliative care but frequency of harms and benefits may differ at certain timepoints in the illness trajectory. Further research is needed to better delineate which patients will derive the most net clinical benefit from hypodermoclysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera R Agar
- IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sungwon Chang
- IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ingrid Amgarth-Duff
- IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maja V Garcia
- IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jane Hunt
- IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane L Phillips
- IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Aynharan Sinnarajah
- Department of Medicine, Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Robin Fainsinger
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Wu CY, Chen PJ, Cheng SY, Suh SY, Huang HL, Lin WY, Hiratsuka Y, Kim SH, Yamaguchi T, Morita T, Tsuneto S, Mori M. Association between the amount of artificial hydration and quality of dying among terminally ill patients with cancer: The East Asian Collaborative Cross-Cultural Study to Elucidate the Dying Process. Cancer 2022; 128:1699-1708. [PMID: 35103989 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artificial hydration (AH) is a challenging issue in terminally ill patients with cancer, because it influences patients' symptoms control, quality of life, and quality of dying (QOD). To date, it is not clear how much AH supply is proper for imminently dying patients. This study aimed to investigate the association between the amount of AH and QOD. METHODS This study is part of the East Asian Collaborative Cross-Cultural Study to Elucidate the Dying Process (EASED) conducted in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan from January 2017 to September 2018. Patients' demographics, symptoms, and managements on admission to palliative care units (PCUs) and before death were recorded. The AH amount was classified into different groups by 250-mL intervals to compare their difference. The Good Death Scale (GDS) was used to measure QOD, with patients classified into higher or lower QOD groups using GDS = 12 as the cutoff point. We used logistic regression analysis to assess the association between AH amount and QOD. RESULTS In total, 1530 patients were included in the analysis. Country, religion, spiritual well-being, fatigue, delirium, dyspnea, AH, and antibiotics use before death were significantly associated with QOD. After conducting regression analysis, patients administered with 250 to 499 mL AH had significantly better QOD (odds ratio, 2.251; 95% confidence interval, 1.072-4.730; P = .032) than those without AH. CONCLUSIONS AH use impacts the QOD of terminally ill patients with cancer admitted to PCUs. Communication with patients and their families on appropriate AH use has a positive effect on QOD. LAY SUMMARY Our prospective cross-cultural multicenter study aims to investigate the relationship between artificial hydration (AH) amount and quality of dying among terminally ill patients with cancer. The findings reveal that country, religion, spiritual well-being, fatigue, delirium, dyspnea, AH, and antibiotics use before death were significantly associated with quality of death (QOD). After multivariable logistic regression, patients administered with AH amount 250 to 499 mL had significantly better QOD (odds ratio, 2.251; 95% confidence interval, 1.072-4.730; P = .032) than those without AH. Communication with patients and their families regarding AH is recommended as it may help them be better prepared for the end-of-life stage and achieve a good death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yi Wu
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Jen Chen
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, England
| | - Shao-Yi Cheng
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - 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
| | - Hsien-Liang Huang
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yuan Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yusuke Hiratsuka
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Sun-Hyun Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea
| | | | - Tatsuya Morita
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Satoru Tsuneto
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masanori Mori
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
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Nakajima N. Difficulties in Addressing Artificial Hydration and Nutrition Therapy for Terminal Cancer Patients: What to do if Patients/Families' Wishes Differ From the Medically Appropriate Treatment Plans? Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 39:926-933. [PMID: 34951547 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211058029] [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: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Artificial hydration and nutrition therapy (AHNT) initiated by patients/families sometimes differs from medically appropriate treatment plans. We aimed to identify the causes of these differences and examine the ensuing responses and outcomes. METHODS Of 133 adult cancer patients receiving end-of-life care in the last 2 years, these discrepancies occurred in 41 patients. We retrospectively examined the following issues: (1) The reason why these discrepancies occurred. (2) Based on the causes identified in (1), the following actions were taken: 1) If the consent to change to medically appropriate AHNT was obtained, physical findings using Japan Palliative Oncology Study (JPOS) group and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) were compared before and 1 week after the intervention. 2) If consent was not obtained, time-limited trial (TLT) was conducted, and these results were compared. (3) The communication between patients/families and medical professionals was compared using Support Team Assessment Schedule. RESULTS (1) Causes: a) the lack of understanding of the disease condition in 26 cases and b) faulty expectation of AHNT in 15 cases. (2) In 30 cases of 1) (20 of a) and 10 of b)) and 11 of 2) in which TLT was performed, JPOS and ESAS improved significantly. (3) The communication above was improved significantly in 1) and 2) (P = .0027 and .0039, respectively). CONCLUSION Providing medically appropriate AHNT with the consent of patients/families is expected to not only alleviate distressing symptoms but also improve the communication between patients/families and medical professionals, as well as improve the quality of palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhisa Nakajima
- Division of Community Medicine and International Medicine, 118113University of the Ryukyus Hospital, Nakagami, Japan
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