Comparison of informal caregiver and named nurse assessment of symptoms in elderly patients dying in hospital using the palliative outcome scale.

OBJECTIVES: A prospective study of symptom assessments made by a healthcare professional (HCP; named nurse) and an informal caregiver (ICG) compared with that of the patient with a terminal diagnosis. To look at the validity of HCP and ICG as proxies, which symptoms they can reliably assess, and to determine who is the better proxy between HCP and ICG. METHODS: A total of 50 triads of patient (>65 years) in the terminal phase, ICG and named nurse on medical wards of an acute general hospital. Assessments were made using the patient and caregiver versions of the palliative outcome scale (POS), all taken within a 24 h period. Agreement between patient-rated, ICG-rated and HCP-rated POS and POS for symptoms (POS-S) was measured using weighted-κ statistics. Demographic and clinical data on each group of participants were collected. RESULTS: ICG assessments have higher agreement with those of the patient than HCP. Better agreement in both groups was found for physical symptoms, and best agreement was for pain. The worst agreements were for psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, and for satisfaction with information given. Psychological symptoms are overestimated by both ICG and HCP. CONCLUSIONS: ICGs are more reliable proxies than HCPs. A trend for overestimation of symptoms was found in both groups which may lead to undervaluation of the quality of life by proxy and overtreatment of symptoms. This highlights the need to always use the patient report when possible, and to be aware of the potential flaws in proxy assessment. Reasons for overestimation by proxies deserve further research.

Scurvy is Back.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Scurvy, caused by vitamin C deficiency, first described by Hippocrates, is known to many as 'The Pirates' Disease'. Although a disease rarely acknowledged in modern medicine, we present 2 cases of elderly gentlemen found to have scurvy, who improved significantly on treatment. METHODS: This study presents a case report of 2 patients undergoing rehabilitation at Karin Grech Hospital in Malta, noted to have signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C levels were found to be low and thus supplementation was administered. RESULTS: After a few weeks, a significant improvement was noted in level of frailty, mood, bleeding tendency, and gum health. CONCLUSIONS: The modern doctor must keep this ancient disease in mind, as it presents insidiously with debilitating repercussions, particularly in older people who are at a higher risk. It is easily treatable once detected.

Do not underestimate your patient's back pain.

Back pain is a common complaint in the elderly population which is often attributed to osteoarthritis or vertebral collapse secondary to osteoporosis. The following case reports describe an easily-missed cause of back pain which is becoming increasingly important and thus should be actively sought.

A pagetic elderly lady with back pain.

An elderly lady suffering from Paget's disease presented with severe back pain after sustaining a fall. The rise in inflammatory markers and poor response to analgesics led to the diagnosis of septic discitis [corrected] that was confirmed by MRI. A high index of suspicion for septic discitis [corrected] is necessary in elderly patients presenting with back pain and an associated rise in inflammatory markers.

Perspectives of relatives and health care workers on care of terminally ill patients in the UK.

Two parallel questionnaires were used to explore perceptions of healthcare workers (HCWs) and the relatives of terminally ill patients on the quality of care received by the patients. There was general agreement between the two groups of respondents in most of the assessed areas. The relatives, however were more satisfied with the control of pain and psychological symptoms than the HCWs, and the HCWs perceived the control of diarrhea, skin problems, and swallowing problems more positively than did the relatives. There also was some variation between the two groups in their perception of the care received by the relatives during visits at the hospital, with the relatives' group being more positive. Although HCWs reported that time to deal with patients and their families was inadequate, the relatives' group was generally satisfied with the standards in place.