Análisis de Costos de cuidados en salud para pacientes con cáncer al final de la vida: Hospital versus domicilio con cuidados paliativos, en el tercer nivel de atención / Analysis of health care costs for patients with cancer at the end of life: Hospital versus home with palliative care, at the third level of care

Introducción: La etapa final de pacientes oncológicos genera elevados costos, sobretodo en hospitales. Objetivos: Determinar la diferencia de costos de atención al final de la vida de pacientes oncológicos en el hospital versus el domicilio. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de análisis de costos en pacientes fallecidos por cáncer en estadio clínico IV de un hospital terciario de la seguridad social, marzo 2018. Se comparó un grupo domiciliario (GD) de un programa paliativo con un grupo hospitalario (GH) admitido por emergencia. Se estimaron costos directos de servicios profesionales, hospitalización, procedimientos, exámenes auxiliares y medicamentos. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó Chi cuadrado y T de Student, considerando un valor p<0,05 y utilizando SPSS 24.0. Resultados: Se incluyeron 81 pacientes en GD y 22 en GH, edad entre 36 y 96 años, con una mediana de 72 años en GD y 77 en GH (p=0,97), sexo femenino 59 y 73% respectivamente (p=0,25), predominando cáncer de origen digestivo y genitourinario. El costo promedio por paciente en GD fue 497 dólares americanos y en el GH 1908 (p<0,01), con un promedio diario por pacientes de 17 vs 447 respectivamente. En el GH predominaron los costos de hospitalización, exámenes auxiliares (tomografía, resonancia, análisis de gases arteriales, proteína C reactiva) y antibióticos (ertapenem y colistina), mientras que en GD el mayor costo fue en servicio médicos y medicamentos. Conclusión: Los costos médicos en la etapa final de vida de pacientes con cáncer avanzado son 3,8 veces mayor cuando fallece en el hospital que en el domicilio.

Background: The final stage of cancer patients generates high costs, especially in hospitals. To determine the difference in care costs Objectives:at the end of life for cancer patients in the hospital versus at home. Material and methods: Retrospective cost analysis study in patients who died of clinical stage IV cancer in a tertiary social security hospital, March 2018. Ahome group (Home) of a palliative program was compared with a hospital group (Hospital) admitted from the emergency department. Direct costs of professionalservices,hospitalization,procedures,auxiliaryexams,and medications were estimated. Chi square and Student's Twere used for statistical analysis, considering a value of p<0.05 and using SPSS 24.0. Results: 81 patients in Home and 22 in Hospital were included, aged between 36 and 96 years, with a median of 72 years in Home and 77 in Hospital (p=0.97), female sex 59 and 73% respectively (p= 0.25), predominantly cancer of digestive and genitourinary origin. The average cost per patient in Home was 497 US dollars and in Hospital 1908 (p<0.01), with a daily average per patient of 17 vs 447 respectively. In the Hospital, the costs of hospitalization, auxiliary tests (tomography, resonance, arterial gas analysis, C-reactive protein) and antibiotics (ertapenem and colistin) predominated, while in the Home the highest cost was in medical services and medications. Conclusion: The medical costs in the final stage of life of patients with advanced cancer are 3.8 times higher when they die in the hospital than at home.

Cuidados paliativos para profissionais de saúde: avanços e dificuldades / Palliative care for health professionals: advances and difficulties / Cuidados paliativos para profesionales de salud: avances y dificultades

Esta pesquisa exploratória e qualitativa analisou os discursos sobre cuidados paliativos de 23 profissionais de saúde atuantes num hospital especializado no tratamento em oncologia. Os dados coletados por um questionário e uma entrevista semiestruturada foram analisados mediante a técnica de enunciação. Os resultados descrevem os sentidos de cuidados paliativos para os profissionais de saúde; as ações desenvolvidas; as dificuldades da assistência ao doente oncológico em cuidados paliativos; e as limitações da formação profissional para a atuação profissional neste campo. As conclusões mostram uma evolução no conhecimento do tema pelos profissionais, apontam a fragilidade na formação profissional para atuação em cuidados paliativos e a necessidade de mais investimentos para capacitar os profissionais que assistem doentes em paliação. Em relação à terminalidade e qualidade da morte, os profissionais foram unânimes quanto à carência de discussão durante a formação. Os profissionais reivindicam a criação de uma equipe especializada para o exercício desses cuidados e capacitação para os demais profissionais de apoio, aqueles que dão suporte ao trabalho dos profissionais de saúde, como condição essencial para a prestação de um cuidado de qualidade e humanizado.(AU)

This exploratory and qualitative research analyzed the discourses on palliative care of 23 health professionals working in a hospital specialized in oncology treatment. Data collected by a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were analyzed by using the enunciation technique. The results describe the meanings of palliative care for health professionals; the actions developed; the difficulties in the assistance to cancer patients in palliative care; and the limitations of the professional training to work in this field. The conclusions demonstrate an evolution in the professionals' knowledge of the subject, the fragility of the professional training to work in this area, and the need for more investments to qualify professionals who assist patients in palliation. Regarding the terminality and quality of death, all professionals reported the lack of discussion during academic training. The professionals call for the creation of a palliative care specialized team for offering this care and training other support professionals, as an essential condition for quality and humanized care.(AU)

Este estudio exploratorio y cualitativo analizó los discursos sobre cuidados paliativos de 23 profesionales de salud actuantes en un hospital especializado en oncología. Los datos tomados por un cuestionario y una encuesta semiestructurada fueron analizados mediante la técnica de la enunciación. Los resultados describen los sentidos de cuidados paliativos para profesionales de salud; las acciones desarrolladas; las dificultades de la asistencia al enfermo oncológico en cuidados paliativos; y las limitaciones de la formación profesional para la actuación en este campo. Las conclusiones muestran una evolución en el conocimiento del tema por los profesionales, apuntan una fragilidad en la formación profesional para actuación en cuidados paliativos, y la necesidad de otras inversiones para capacitar los profesionales que asisten a pacientes en cuidados paliativos. En cuanto a la terminalidad y calidad de la muerte los profesionales fueron unánimes en cuanto a la falta de discusión durante la formación académica. Los profesionales reivindican la creación de un equipo especializado en cuidados paliativos y entrenamiento para los profesionales de apoyo, que son aquellos que apoyan el trabajo de los profesionales de salud, como condición esencial para una asistencia de calidad y humanizada.(AU)

A cross-sectional survey on nutritional risk and prevalence of malnutrition per Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria in patients with end-stage malignant gastrointestinal tumors in a tertiary (A) hospital in Changsha / 中华临床营养杂志

Objective:To investigate the nutritional risk and prevalence of malnutrition in patients with terminal stage gastrointestinal malignant tumors in a tertiary hospital in Changsha.Methods:Cluster sampling was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey of inpatients from Departments of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Oncology in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2019 to July 2020. Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) was used to assess the prevalence of nutritional risk with malnutrition defined as concurrent presence of BMI < 18.5 kg/m 2, poor general condition and NRS 2002 nutritional impairment score of 3. Step 2 of Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) diagnostic criteria (without whole body muscle mass) was adopted to diagnose malnutrition. Step 3 of GLIM criteria was used to evaluate the prevalence of severe malnutrition. Results:A total of 802 patients registered in the 4 departments were selected for screening via cluster sampling and 514 were enrolled according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The prevalence of nutritional risk in patients with terminal stage gastrointestinal cancer was 49.8% (256/514). The prevalence of malnutrition and severe malnutrition per GLIM criteria were 41.6% (214/514) and 18.3% (94/514), respectively.Conclusions:Although nutritional support therapy is not recommended for patients with end-stage cancer. This paper suggests that the prevalence of nutritional risk and malnutrition in patients with end-stage gastrointestinal cancer is not as high as described in some articles.

Trajectory of ADL (Activities of Daily Living) for Six Weeks before Death in Patients with Terminal Cancer

Objective: To examine the trajectory of activities of daily living (ADL) in cancer patients from 6 weeks before death using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Method: This study was a retrospective observational study. The participants were cancer patients aged 18 years or older who died and were discharged from the palliative care unit in Tsurumaki-onsen Hospital. Six weeks of FIM data were collected from the patients’ medical records from 6 weeks before death to the time immediately before death (week 0). Results: Fifty-five participants were included in the study. FIM scores declined from 55 points at 6 weeks before death to 25 points immediately before death. Functional independence was higher for cognitive items on the FIM than for motor items, and both cognitive and motor functioning significantly declined just before death. Within the motor subscale, the patients were more independent with regard to eating, grooming, and bladder management compared to other activities until just before death. Within the cognitive subscale, the patients showed greater independence with regard to expression and social interaction. Discussion: A support for ADL needs to be considered to assist out-of bed activities in a safe and comfort manner until two weeks before death. Patients’ activities on the bed can also be continued for independence until just before death.

Symptom Relief and Anti-tumor Effects of Glucocorticoids Enable Terminal Lymphoid Malignancy Patients to Receive Outpatient Treatment at Home

Glucocorticoids are one of the key drugs used in palliative therapy. They have several palliative effects. However, aside from these effects, glucocorticoids have anti-tumor effects on lymphoid malignancies. In particular, for patients with lymphoid malignancy in the terminal stage of the disease, this medical modality can produce both symptomatic relief and anti-tumor effects without serious side effects. This article presents two impressive cases of patients with terminal lymphoid malignancy treated with glucocorticoids, who showed survival advantages and improved quality of life.

A Retrospective Observational Study to Explore Trajectories of Hematologic Data and Palliative Performance Scale Scores in the Last 12 Weeks among Patients with Terminal-stage Cancer

Objective: To explore the trajectories of hematologic data and palliative performance scale (PPS) scores among patients with terminal-stage cancer. Method: This was a retrospective observational study. We recruited all adult patients with solid cancer who received care from palliative care specialists and died in Komaki City Hospital between January and December 2016. Among these patients, we extracted hematologic data from the last 12 weeks and when 2 weeks passed since the last anti-cancer treatment, and PPS scores on the day of the hematologic tests. We calculated the means of weekly hematologic data and PPS scores, and explored their trajectories. Results: We recruited 204 patients (mean age, 70.9 years; women, 44.1%) and acquired 1157 hematological datasets. Albumin and C-reactive protein levels gradually decreased from 12 weeks and increased from 5 weeks, respectively, before death. White blood cell and lymphocyte counts respectively increased and decreased from 5 weeks. Creatinine and bilirubin levels rapidly increased from 3 weeks. Potassium levels increased from 1 week. PPS scores decreased from 4 weeks before death. Discussion: Deteriorations in nutrition or inflammatory status and white blood cell counts could antedate deterioration in PPS scores, and deterioration of visceral data and PPS scores could indicate prognosis on a weekly basis.

Survey on the Cognition and Attitude towards Dignity Therapy in College Students / 中国医学伦理学

Objective:To investigate the cognition of terminal stage patients'dignity therapy,attitude towards its concept and scheme,willingness of its promotion in college students and to gain some recommendations for improvement.Methods:Combined quantitative and qualitative methods,an anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted in a convenience sample of 220 college students,of which 20 students were selected for in-depth interviews.Results:Only 17.73％ of students had a correct understanding of dignity therapy,94.98％ of them accepted its concept,92.96％ of them held a positive attitude,74.38％ of them were willing to promote dignity therapy,in which female students were dominated (P =0.041).Interview results showed that the contents of dignity therapy were to some extent stiff and not fit for Chinese patients,which might impede its promotion.Conclusion:College students lack the cognition of dignity therapy.But they hold a positive attitude and are willing to promote dignity therapy when they get to know its concept and contents.As seen,dignity therapy has a good future but there are still some obstructions in the promotion,and need to be localized.

Culture Narrative Analysis of Terminal Stage Patients: Based on the Field Investigation in X Community Health Service Center in Harbin / 中国医学伦理学

This paper collected the case and interview data in the hospice wards of X Community Health Service Center in Harbin with the method of participant observation and in-depth interview.It sorted and analyzed the disease narrative,psychological experience and social-cultural significance of terminal stage patients.Through describing three field cases,this paper analyzed the depressed-helpless and request-desire pain experience in terminal stage patients.It emphasized the cultural narrative research in this special group,terminal stage patients,and further to provide realistic basis for the improvement of hospice care in China.

Intensive care unit nurses' perspective for the needs of dying patients in ICU:a qualitative study / 现代临床护理

Objective To explore the needs of intensive care unit (ICU) patients in the intensive care unit from nurses' perspectives.Methods A descriptive qualitative study of data generated from individual in-depth interviews of eleven intensive care nurses was to learn about the needs of ICU dying patients.Colaizzi analysis was used to analysis the data.Result The ICU nurses' description for needs of ICU dying patients are described as:have no physical burden of pain,to maintain dignity,to be understood and to fulfill their wishes,and family members are able to calmly accept the fact that the patient is about to leave.Conclusion According to the needs of ICU dying patients,medical staff should further concern about the humane care for ICU dying patients,and provide quality nursing care to help them live peacefully through the final stages of life.

Analysis of Infection and Antibiotics Use in Terminal Stage Patients with Malignant Tumor / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for rational use of antibiotics in terminal stage patients with malignant tumor. METHODS:The inpatients with malignant tumor who died in the department of medical oncology of our hospital from Mar. 2013 to Mar. 2016 were analyzed retrospectively in respects of general situation,infection situation and antibiotics use. RESULTS:Among 149 inpatients,a total of 129 infection cases were found in 113 patients(75.8%). The most frequent sites of infection were lung(65.9%),followed by digestive tract/abdomen(13.2%),and skin/wound(6.2%). 100 patients (67.1%)received antibiot-ics,61.1% of which were empiric treatment. β-lactam/β-lactam lactamase inhibitor(41.8%),fluoroquinolone(21.7%)and cepha-losporin(16.9%)were the top 3 frequently prescribed antibiotics. The effective rate of antibiotics treatment was as low as 15.8%, which was believed to be linked with the survival duration since infection occurred (P<0.001),the Karnofsky performance scale (KPS)score when infection occurred(P<0.001)and the duration of antibiotics treatment(P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS:Terminal stage patients with malignant tumor are vulnerable to infections,especially to pulmonary infection. The empirical broad-spectrum an-tibiotics are widely used in terminal patients with malignant tumor,but the effectiveness rate of antibiotic treatment is in low level. For those terminal stage patients with malignant tumor and with KPS score<60 points,when futile antibiotics treatment last for more than 7 days,timely termination of antibiotics treatment is a better choice.

Study on blood ammonia in terminally ill cancer patients

<b>Purpose：</b>Although ammonia shows a high due to advanced liver failure and the development of portal vein collateral circulation, there are few reports on ammonia in terminal stage of cancer. Therefore, the blood ammonia was measured against terminally ill cancer patients were studied retrospectively. <b>Methods：</b>For 80 cases who were admitted to the hospital for the purpose of palliative care, measured the blood ammonia at the time of admission, we have studied cancer species, gender, age, survival period, HbA1c, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, prothrombin activity, estimated glomerular filtration rate, C-reactive protein, hematocrit, presence or absence of liver metastases, presence or absence of opioid, laxative use, L3 level psoas major muscle area in ammonia high-value group and the normal group. <b>Results：</b>Hyperammonemia in terminally ill cancer patients in average survival time 41.6 days was observed in 21.3％. The significant differences in gender and liver metastasis in univariate analysis, liver metastases were extracted in the logistic regression. <b>Conclusion：</b>Cancer terminally ill patients with liver metastases were significantly higher to exhibit hyperammonemia in this study.

Reliability and validity of Chinese version of Patient Dignity Inventory / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective We aimed to translate the English version of Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) into Chinese and test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of PDI in terminal stage patients.Methods Totally 285 patients in terminal stage was recruited and investigated by the Chinese version of PDI.Results The internal consistency coefficient of the Chinese version of PDI ranged from 0.728 to 0.953,which was ＞0.70; split half coefficient was 0.561; the test-retest reliability was 0.824,which showed that internal consistency of Chinese version of PDI was good.The content validity index was 0.912.Factor analysis got five factors,which explained 62.172％ of the total variance; the factor loading of each item was ＞0.4.Conclusions The Chinese version of PDI has been proved to be reliable and valid.It can be used as a valid tool for the measurement of dignity in terminal stage patients.

Effective blood transfusion for the symptomatic restless legs syndrome by anemia in the terminal stage of cancer: a case report

We experienced a case in which a blood transfusion proved to be effective for the treatment of symptomatic restless legs syndrome that occurred in a patient demonstrating terminal stage cancer with iron-deficiency anemia due to hemorrhaging as a result of carcinomatous peritonitis. The patient was a female in her seventies who suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma. After undergoing blood transfusion, the symptoms of discomfort in her lower limbs dramatically improved. It was thought that it was expected the symptomatic restless leg syndrome was frequently amalgamated, and a positive diagnosis and appropriate treatment were necessary in the terminal stage of cancer. Palliat Care Res 2011; 6(2): 344-349

Two cases of myoclonus following administration of gabapentin for neuropathic pain in the end stage of malignancy

We report two cases of myoclonus following the administration of gabapentin for neuropathic pain in the end stage of malignancy. <b>Patient 1</b>: A septuagenarian woman with sarcoma of the uterus was admitted to our hospice. She complained of severe neuropathic pain in her left leg caused by an invasive lumbar tumor. To reduce the neuropathic pain, she was administered 200mg of gabapentin daily. Four months later, the gabapentin was increased to 400mg daily due to worsening pain in her left leg. Three days later, she felt muscle weakness in her left arm and frequent muscle twitches were observed even during sleeping. Myoclonus associated with gabapentin administration was suspected. The myoclonus disappeared after cessation of gabapentin for 2 days. <b>Patient 2</b>: An octogenarian man with renal cell carcinoma was admitted to our hospice. He was administered 200mg of gabapentin daily to reduce the neuropathic pain felt in his back and bilateral leg due to a metastatic tumor of a para-aortic lesion. On the next day, frequent muscle twitches were observed in his extremities and upper trunk while he was sleeping. Myoclonus associated with gabapentin administration was suspected, which disappeared within one day following cessation of the drug. Myoclonus is a rare side effect of gabapentin, but it may occur even with the low-doses given to patients with end-stage malignancy. Although the pathogenic mechanism of induction of myoclonus by gabapentin was suspected to be heterogeneous, discontinuation of gabapentin should lead to rapid resolution of symptoms. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(1): 308-313

Attitude survey of bioethics in medical students participating in clinical clerkship training / 医学教育

1) 34, 9 and 57% of the 5th year medical students participating in clinical clerkship training program agreed on the need for selecting palliative therapy, death with dignity, and euthanasia, respectively, in response to a terminal stage of malignancy.<BR>2) 60% of medical students supported the organ transplant legislations, but only 23% actually carried an organ donor card. 26% of the surveyed students supported the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology's attitude towards preimplantation diagnosis.<BR>3) It was pointed out that they had better educated about bioethics.

Characteristics of Tongue Pictures of Terminal Stage Patients of Colorectal Cancer / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the characteristics of tongue pictures of the terminal stage patients of colorectal cancer.Method The changes of tongue pictures of 7 patients of the terminal stage and 62 patients of non-terminal stage were observed by The System of Tongue Inspection of TCM,then the tongue proper and coating RGB(redness,greenness,blueness) values were measured.Results In the group of the terminal stage patients,light red and red tongue proper were more,yellow thick tongue coating and without tongue coating were more.Red tongue proper and yellow thick tongue coating were more in the other group.In the group of the terminal stage patients' tongue proper,G values were lower,B values were lower(P0.05).Conclusion The tongue proper and coating of the terminal stage patients of colorectal cancer have certain characteristics.