Nutritional support in palliative cancer care: quality of life in oral versus tube feeding

BACKGROUND

Nutritional support (NS) offered through oral nutritional supplements (ONS) or enteral nutrition (EN) and its impact on quality of life (QoL) is a controversial topic in patients with cancer receiving palliative care (PC).

AIMS

To compare the QoL of patients without and with use of NS, including ONS or EN in patients with incurable cancer receiving PC.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis with patients that were evaluated at PC Unit between June 2021 and February 2023. QoL was assessed using the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15. Patients were classified into three groups according to the NS: ONS (n=72; 33%), EN (n=61; 28%) and control group (CG) (n=87; 39%), the last one being formed by patients not using NS. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to verify the association of the domains of QoL with the type of NS.

RESULTS

A total of 220 patients were included, with a median age of 64 (58-70) years, predominantly male (54.1%). The EN group had worse scores in physical function when compared with the ONS group (p=0.037) and appetite loss when compared with the CG (p=0.013). The ONS (OR: 2.70; 95% CI 1.32 to 5.49) and EN groups (OR: 2.61; 95% CI 1.24 to 5.49) were independently associated with a higher chance of presenting appetite loss in relation to the CG.

CONCLUSION

In general, there was no difference in the QoL of patients using NS when compared with patients not using NS. However, patients using NS have more chance of having appetite loss.

Assessing the impact of palliative care admission of end-of-life cancer adults

Background

There is evidence that early admission to the palliative care (PC) program in adult cancer patients improves symptoms management, reduces unplanned hospital admissions, minimizes aggressive cancer treatments, and enables patients to make decisions about their end-of-life (EOL) care.

Objectives

This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine whether late admission to a PC program is associated with aggressive treatment at the EOL in adult patients with oncological diseases from their admission until death.

Design/Methods

The study evaluated the aggressiveness in EOL management in patients with advanced stage oncological diseases who died between 2017 and 2019. The study population was divided into two groups based on the time of admission to the PC program. Aggressiveness at the EOL was measured using five criteria: treatment, hospital admission and duration, emergency department care, and/or intensive care unit utilization.

Results

The study found a significant difference in the rate of aggressive EOL treatments between late admission to PC care and early admission [adjusted EOL 79.6% versus 70.4%; relative risk (RR): 1.98, 90% CI: 1.08-3.59, p: 0.061]; In the analysis of secondary variables, a significant association was observed between early admission to PC and the suspension of active treatments at the EOL, leading to a decrease in aggressiveness (77% versus 55.8%; RR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.14-1.67, p: 0.004).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that early referral to PC services is associated with less aggressive treatment at the EOL, including suspension of active treatments.

Transition to exclusive palliative care for women with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the perspectives that affect the transition to exclusive palliative care for women with breast cancer.

METHODS

qualitative, descriptive study, carried out in a public health institution in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between December 2018 and May 2019. 28 health professionals were interviewed. Content analysis was used in the thematic modality.

RESULTS

the operational difficulties were linked to the fragmented physical structure, the late and unplanned nature of the referral, the ineffective communication, and the deficit of human resources. In general, women and family members resist referral because they do not know palliative care. There is no consensus among oncologists on the most appropriate time to stop systemic therapy for disease control.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

the perceived difficulties configure an abrupt referral, accompanied by false hopes and, often, limited to end-of-life care.