ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: End-of-life cancer care varies widely, and very few centers evaluate it systematically. Our objective was to assess indicators of the aggressiveness of end-of-life cancer care in clinical practice. METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, and retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. Eligible patients were at least 18 years old, had a solid tumor, were followed up by the Oncology Department, and had died because of cancer or associated complications during 2017. We used the criteria of Earle et al. (J Clin Oncol 21(6):1133-1138, 2003) to assess the aggressiveness of care. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to characterize factors associated with aggressiveness of therapy. RESULTS: The study population comprised 684 patients. Eighty-eight patients (12.9%) received anti-cancer treatment during the last 14 days of their lives, and 62 patients (9.1%) started a new treatment line in the last 30 days. During the last month of life, 102 patients (14.9%) visited the ER, 80 patients (11.7%) were hospitalized more than once, and 26 (3.8%) were admitted to the ICU. A total of 326 patients (47.7%) died in the acute care unit. A total of 417 patients (61.0%) were followed by the Palliative Care Unit, and in 54 cases (13.0%), this care started during the last 3 days of life. CONCLUSIONS: The use of anti-cancer therapies and health care services in our clinical practice, except for the ICU, did not meet the Earle criteria for high-quality care. Concerning hospice care, more than half of the patients received hospice services before death, although in some cases, this care started close to the time of death.
Subject(s)
Hospice Care/methods , Neoplasms/therapy , Terminal Care/methods , Aged , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Conocer las características sociodemográficas y clínicas, y los aspectos relativos a información de los pacientes no oncológicos (PNO) en situación de enfermedad avanzada-terminal incluidos en un programa de cuidados paliativos domiciliario. Identificar las variables que pudieran estar relacionadas con el fallecimiento en el domicilio. Material y MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo mediante revisión de historias clínicas de los PNO atendidos por un Equipo de Soporte de Atención Paliativa Domiciliaria durante el periodo comprendido entre noviembre de 2009 y marzo de 2013. Se analizaron datos sociodemográficos y clínicos del paciente y del cuidador principal, los conocimientos sobre el diagnóstico y el pronóstico del paciente y la familia, las preferencias para el cuidado y el fallecimiento de ambos y el lugar del fallecimiento. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó el paquete informático SPSS(R) v.21. RESULTADOS: Se revisaron 371 historias, de las cuales 249 cumplieron CRITERIOS DE INCLUSIÓN: Los PNO representaron el 36,19% de la actividad, con una media de edad de 81,4 años. La enfermedad más frecuente fue la demencia (22,1%). El 67,5% de los pacientes procedían de Atención Primaria y del medio residencial. El motivo de derivación fue en un 85,5% para el control de síntomas, siendo los más frecuentes astenia, disnea y dolor. Los pacientes presentaron una comorbilidad alta, frecuentes síndromes geriátricos, algún grado de deterioro cognitivo en un 65% y deterioro funcional importante (índice de Barthel 21,52, Palliative Performance Scale 38,18). La cuidadora principal fue mayoritariamente mujer, hija del paciente y con sobrecarga para los cuidados en el 55,4%. Del grupo sin afectación cognitiva, un 83% conocían el diagnóstico, un 30% el pronóstico, el 95% preferían el domicilio para los cuidados y mantenían esta preferencia para el fallecimiento el 78%. El 66% del total de los pacientes falleció en domicilio/residencia. El análisis de los posibles factores relacionados con la muerte en el domicilio mostró resultados significativos cuando el ámbito geográfico para el cuidado era el medio rural y el paciente había manifestado su preferencia por fallecer en el domicilio. También cuando el cuidador principal no mostraba sobrecarga y tenía una percepción subjetiva de buena salud. CONCLUSIONES: Se identificó una población de PNO en situación de enfermedad avanzada caracterizada por edad elevada, alta carga sintomática, importante comorbilidad, deterioro funcional y alta mortalidad. Más de la mitad de los cuidadores presentaron sobrecarga para los cuidados. Se trata, por tanto, de enfermos con necesidades similares a las de los pacientes oncológicos avanzados. La prevalencia elevada de deterioro cognitivo supuso que solo la mitad de los pacientes fueron capaces de participar en la información y en la toma de decisioneS
OBJECTIVE: To describe the socio-demographic and clinic characteristics and aspects related to information of non-oncological patients (NOP) with advanced disease, which are included in a palliative-home care support unit. To identify the variables that could be associated with the death of NOP at home. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective descriptive study was performed by reviewing the clinical histories of NOP attended by a Palliative-home Care Support Unit during the period from November 2009 to March 2013. An analysis was performed on the socio-demographic and clinical data of the patients and their main caregivers, as well as the analysed, diagnostic and prognostic information provided by the family and the patient, preferences about end of life care of both parties, and the place of death. The data analysis was performed with the computer pack SPSS(R) v.21. RESULTS: Of the 371 clinical histories reviewed, 249 patients met the inclusion criteria. The NOP represented the 36.19% of the activity, with a mean age of 81.4 years. The most common disease was dementia (22.1%). More than two-thirds (67.5%) of the patients came from Primary Care and residential homes for the elderly. The main reason for referral was to control symptoms in 85.5%, with the most frequent being asthenia, dyspnoea, and pain. A high comorbidity, geriatric symptoms, cognitive impairment was observed in 65%, and an important functional impairment (mean Barthel Index of 21.52, and Palliative Performance Scale score of 38.18). The majority of main caregivers were women, and the patient's daughter, and the burden of caring was identified in 55.4%. In the group without cognitive impairment, the diagnosis was known by 83%, and 30% knew the prognosis. Staying at home to receive end of life care was preferred by 95%, and 78% kept this preference for dying. Two-thirds (66%) of all the patients died at home or in residential homes for the elderly. The statistical analysis of the possible factors associated with dying at home showed a significant odds ratio when the patient lived in rural areas, and preferred home as the place of death. Another factor is when the main caregiver does not suffer care burden and has a subjective perception of good health. CONCLUSIONS: The predominance of NOP in end of life situations is characterised by advanced age, high comorbidity, increased symptomatic burden, significant overall functional impairment on admission, and high mortality. More than the half of the caregivers showed excessive burden of caring. In conclusion, they are patients with similar needs to those with advanced oncological disease. The high prevalence of cognitive impairment suggested that only half of the patients were able to participate in the information and in the advanced care planning
Subject(s)
Humans , Chronic Disease/epidemiology , Terminal Care/methods , Hospice Care/methods , Home Care Services, Hospital-Based/organization & administration , Fatal Outcome , Retrospective Studies , Advance Directives/statistics & numerical data , Caregivers/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
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