Fatigue and Quality of Life Outcomes of Palliative Care Consultation: A Prospective, Observational Study in a Tertiary Cancer Center

Fatigue Prevalence Among Palliative Care Cancer Patients in Comprehensive Cancer Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The aims of the current study are to assess the prevalence of cancer-related fatigue, to examine the difference in cancer-related fatigue severity in relation to patients' characteristics (age, gender, type of cancer, and palliative performance status), and to explore the correlation between cancer-related fatigue and pain, dyspnea, insomnia, and depression among palliative care patients. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study conducted at Comprehensive Cancer Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study included cancer patients who received palliative care services from January 2016 to December 2021. Clinical data of study participants were retrospectively collected from Palliative Care department patient registry. Symptoms were assessed and scored using Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software. Results: A total of 2616 patients were included in the study, 52.3% were females and 47.7% were males. The median age of study participants was 56 years (range: 2-101 years). Among all study population, the highest reported cancer type was gastrointestinal malignancy (33.5%), while the least was unknown primary malignancy (1.4%). With regards to Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, pain (86.4%) and fatigue (83%) were the highest reported symptom in comparison to constipation (17.3%) and insomnia (7.1%). Conclusion: Cancer-related fatigue is a prevalent and concerning issue among palliative care patients. It is essential that healthcare providers recognize the prevalence of fatigue among patients with life-limiting illnesses, assess patients for fatigue routinely, incorporate strategies for managing fatigue, work closely with affected individuals and their families in order to guide the establishment of a personalized care plan that addresses the patient's unique needs and preferences.

Perceptions of Healthcare Workers Regarding Palliative Care Services in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in North India – A Mixed Methods Observational Study

Background:

Cancers and various terminal illnesses need integrated palliative care with curative management, but, unfortunately, our health care system mainly focuses on the treatment of disease. Lack of awareness, difficulty in pain management and untrained staff are some of the challenges in palliative care services.

Objectives:

The study was done to explore the perception of healthcare workers regarding availability, utilisation and challenges in the delivery of palliative care services.

Material and Methods:

A mixed method study was conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital in North India. Qualitative approach using interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) among healthcare workers was done to understand their knowledge, perception, barriers and challenges in implementing palliative care services. One hundred and thirteen healthcare workers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and FGD was conducted to gain more insight into the issues of palliative care. The data obtained was analysed with the help of computer software Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 23 for windows. The data was presented as proportion and mean (S.D.) as deemed appropriate for qualitative and quantitative variables respectively. Thematic analysis was done with the data of FGD.

Results:

The knowledge, attitude and practices regarding palliative care were poor across the HCW. During FGD with faculty and residents, the participants showed great concern about the absence of palliative care across many specialties while expressing an acute need for the establishment of a separate interdisciplinary unit on palliative care to improve the quality of life in patients.

Conclusion:

The study shows that there are gaps that need to be addressed to make palliative services available in our hospital.

Associated factors with constipation and health-related quality of life in lung cancer patients with platinum-based chemotherapy: A cross-sectional study

The main purpose of this study was to investigate current state of constipation for lung cancer (LC) patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. The relationships between social demography, clinical variables, psychological status, and constipation were analyzed. In addition, quality of life (QoL) in LC patients with constipation was also analyzed. One hundred LC patients participated in this cross-sectional study. Under the guidance of the researchers, Functional Living Index-Emesis, Piper Fatigue Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 (version 3.0), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, General Well-being Scale, Social Support Rate Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and other related questionnaires were completed. The result showed the symptom of constipation was observed in 41 (41%) LC patients. The occurrence and development of constipation were associated with gender, food intake, exercise, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and happiness. The study also found patients with constipation had significant lower QoL scores, especially the score in the general state. Constipation was very common in LC patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy. Reduced food intake and fatigue were the independent factors. Constipation significantly affects the QoL of the patients. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the risk factors of constipation in LC patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy, the earlier intervention was done to these patients, the better to improve their QoL.

Quality of life of cancer patients at palliative care units in developing countries: systematic review of the published literature

Purpose

This systematic review aims to summarize factors that influence the quality of life (QOL) of advanced cancer patients in palliative care (PC) in developing countries. Understanding this context in developing countries milieu is necessary; however, this outcome is rarely reported.

Methods

Following the PRISMA guidelines, the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science were systematically searched using the search terms: QOL, cancer, PC, and names of all developing countries. Studies with less than ten subjects, qualitative or pilot studies, reviews, conference abstracts, and that reported validation of QOL questionnaires were excluded.

Results

Fifty-five studies from 15 developing countries in the African (n = 5), Latin America and the Caribbean (n = 10), and Asian (n = 40) region were included in the narrative synthesis. 65.4% were cross-sectional, 27.3% were cohort studies, 7.3% were RCTs or quasi-experimental studies. Around 30 QOL factors were studied with 20 different types of QOL instruments. Advanced cancer patients who were older, married/ever married, participated in additional care within PC, used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and practiced spirituality/religiosity showed higher QOL score. Low educational level and high depression were associated with a lower QOL.

Conclusion

Various factors affect QOL among cancer patients in PC. Patients valued the use of CAMs; however, the quality and safety aspects should be properly addressed. Important factors that influenced the QOL score were social and spiritual support. While there is a general need to develop PC strategies further, recognizing patients’ needs should be prioritized in national cancer programs.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s11136-020-02633-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Systematic Review of the Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Insomnia in Palliative Care

Introduction:

The primary function of palliative care is to improve quality of life. The recognition and treatment of symptoms causing suffering is central to the achievement of this goal. Insomnia reduces quality of life of patients under palliative care. Knowledge about prevalence, associated factors, and treatment of insomnia in palliative care is scarce.

Methodology:

Literature review about the prevalence, predictors, and treatment options of insomnia in palliative care patients. Primary sources of investigation were identified and selected through Pubmed and Scopus databases. The research was complemented by reference search in identified articles and selected reviews. OpenGrey and Google Scholar were used for searching grey literature. Study quality analysis was based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results:

A total of 65 studies were included in the review. Most studies had acceptable /good quality. The prevalence of insomnia in the included studies ranged from 2.1% to 100%, with a median overall prevalence of 49.5%. Sociodemographic factors such as age; clinical characteristics such as functional status, disease stage, pain, and use of specific drugs, including opioids; psychological factors such as anxiety/depression; and spiritual factors such as feelings of well-being were identified as predictors. The treatment options identified were biological (pharmacological and nonpharmacological), psychological (visualization, relaxation), and spiritual (prayer).

Conclusions:

The systematic review showed that the prevalence of insomnia is high, with at least one in 3 patients affected in most studies. Insomnia’s risk factors and treatment in palliative care are both associated to physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors, reflecting its true holistic nature.