Search results for "palliativ"
showing 10 items of 371 documents
Prognostic factors of survival in patients with advanced cancer admitted to home care
2011
Abstract CONTEXT: Data regarding prognostication of life expectancy in patients with advanced cancer are of paramount importance to patients, families, and clinicians. However, data regarding patients followed at home are lacking. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between various factors recorded at the beginning of home care assistance and survival. METHODS: A sample of consecutive patients admitted to two home care programs was surveyed. A preliminary consensus was achieved as to the possible variables easy to be recorded at home. These included age at the time of home care admission, gender, residence, marital status, primary cancer diagnosis, Karnofsky Pe…
The course of symptom frequency and intensity in advanced cancer patients followed at home
2000
Four hundred consecutive patients who were referred to a home palliative care program were prospectively surveyed to estimate the prevalence and severity of common symptoms according to the changes in the performance status. Patients were admitted for the presence of different symptoms and psychosocial support. Common symptoms included in a standard form were rated for severity (absent 0, mild 1, moderate 2, severe 3) for each visit. Pain intensity was rated on a numerical scale (0-10). For each level of Karnofsky performance score (K), the frequency and the worse symptom intensity were recorded until patient's death. Data from 370 patients were analyzed. Pain was effectively controlled. In…
Comparison of octreotide and hyoscine butylbromide in controlling gastrointestinal symptoms due to malignant inoperable bowel obstruction
2000
In advanced cancer patients with inoperable bowel obstruction, the administration of antisecretive and antiemetic drugs has proved to be effective in controlling gastrointestinal symptoms caused by bowel obstruction. However, controlled studies concerning the most effective antisecretive drug are lacking. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to determine whether octreotide or hyoscine butylbromide was the more effective antisecretive drug for use in states of inoperable bowel obstruction. Eighteen patients with inoperable bowel obstruction randomly received octreotide 0.3 mg daily (n = 9) or hyoscine butylbromide (HB) 60 mg daily (n = 9) s.c. The following parameters were measure…
Symptom hyper-expression in advanced cancer patients with anxiety and depression admitted to an acute supportive/palliative care unit
2019
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare symptom expression in advanced cancer patients with depression and anxiety and in patients with no such symptoms. Methods: Secondary analysis of a previous study assessing the role of an acute palliative supportive care unit (APSCU) in a comprehensive cancer center. Patients completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) at admission (T0) and 7 days after or at discharge (T7). Results: Three hundred-fourteen consecutive cancer patients admitted to the APSCU were surveyed. Eighty-six and 66 patients improved their level of depression and anxiety, respectively (passing from ≥ 4 to 0–3, from T0 to T7), after that palliative care interventi…
The effects of alcoholism and smoking on advanced cancer patients admitted to an acute supportive/palliative care unit
2016
Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the characteristics and symptom burden of advanced cancer patients with alcoholism problems and smoking, who were referred to an acute palliative/supportive care unit (ASPCU) of a comprehensive cancer center. Methods: Patientsâ characteristics, indications for admission, kind of admission, awareness of prognosis, and anticancer treatments were recorded. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) was used to assess physical and psychological symptoms, and the CAGE questionnaire for the diagnosis of alcoholism. Patients were also divided in three groups: persistent smokers (PS), former smokers (FS), and non-smokers (NS). The Memorial…
Clinical and financial analysis of an acute palliative care unit in an oncological department
2008
The aim of this article is to describe the clinical activity and medical intervention of an acute model of palliative care unit (APC), as well as the reimbursement procedures and economic viability. A sample of 504 patients admitted at an APC in 1 year was surveyed. Indications for admission, pain and symptom intensity, analgesic treatments, procedures, instrumental examinations and modalities of discharge were recorded. For each patient, tariff for reimbursement was calculated according to the existent disease related grouping (DRG) system. The mean age was 62 years, and 246 patients were males. The mean hospital stay was 5.4 days. Pain control was the most frequent indication for admissi…
Supportive care services in hemato-oncology centers: a national survey
2016
Background: In the field of hemato-oncology, there is paucity of data assessing models of integration between hemato-oncology and other partner specialties. The aim of this national survey was to gather information about the status of the integration of this kind of activity in hemato-oncologic units existing in Italy. Methods: A national telephone survey was conducted to gather information about the status of the integration of hemato-oncologic and supportive care/anesthesiological services. From the national registry of hemato-oncology units, 149 centers were contacted by phone and a dedicated doctor was identified to gather information about the center through a telephone interview. Resu…
Video-thoracoscopic surgical pleurodesis in the management of malignant pleural effusion: the importance of an early intervention.
2005
Thoracentesis plays an important role in cancer patients with symptomatic effusions, although its effect is short-lived and symptoms recur in almost all patients. Early video-thoracoscopic surgical pleurodesis may provide added benefit to a group of patients with advanced cancer presenting with symptomatic malignant pleural effusion. Seventy-six patients with advanced cancer and pleural effusion due to pulmonary-pleural metastases were recruited. In 51 cases (67.1%), at least one thoracentesis was performed before admission for surgery. Preoperative staging consisted of chest radiograph, CT scan, and blood gas analysis. The mean Karnofsky performance status was about 50. Pleurodesis with ta…
Demoralization Scale in Spanish-Speaking Palliative Care Patients.
2015
Abstract Context Among the approaches to the demoralization syndrome, the one proposed by Kissane et al. is prevalent in the literature. These authors developed the Demoralization Scale (DS) to assess emotional distress, conceived as demoralization. Objectives To present the Spanish adaptation of the Demoralization Scale in palliative care patients, with a new and more comprehensive approach to its factorial structure. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in 226 Spanish palliative care patients in three different settings: hospital, home care unit, and continued care unit. Outcome measures included the DS and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Analyses comprised confirmat…
Characteristics of patients with an unplanned admission to an acute palliative care unit
2016
The aim of this cohort study is to compare the symptom burden of patients who have an unplanned admission to an acute palliative care unit (APCU) with patients who have a regular planned admission. A consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients who were admitted to an APCU was prospectively assessed. The reasons and the kind of admission were recorded (unplanned, UP, or planned, P). Anticancer treatments, whether patients were on/off treatment or uncertain, previous care setting, and who referred the patient to the unit were also recorded. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) was used at admission and at time of discharge, as well as the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale. Analges…