Appearance of Skin Moisturization in the Final Stage of life - A Prospective Observational Study with Clinical Pathway for End-of-Life Care (Liverpool Care Pathway Japanese Version) in Palliative Care Unit / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

　　Objective: To elucidate the appearance of skin moisturization (cold and clammy skin) indying period and related factors. Methods: Patients were observed prospectively with skin moisturization using the clinical pathway for end-of-life care (Liverpool Care Pathway Japanese version [LCP]) by nurses in the palliative care unit. Results: Of 213 patients placed on LCP, 48 (22.5%) indicated skin moisturization, which was observed mostly in summer and in the morning. It appeared 45.8 hours before death on the average. By multivariate analysis, the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was an independent related factor. Conclusions: Compared to our previous retrospective study, the appearance of skin moisturization was higher in frequency and earlier in the dying period, and the administration of NSAIDs was an independent related factor.