ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction Suicide represents a major public health problem worldwide, and cancer patients might have vulnerability factors which increase suicide risk. There are multiple factors associated with this tragic outcome, including those stemming from the disease itself, mental illness and social, personal and spiritual factors. Although previous reports have identified a suicide rate which ranges from .03-7% among cancer patients undergoing palliative care, this has not been studied in Mexico. Objective This study sought to report the cases of suicide in patients with cancer undergoing palliative care at a large cancer reference center. Method A retrospective review of records was performed between 2018-2019 for patients treated at the Palliative Care Service of the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Mexico City. Records for patients who committed suicide were reviewed to describe factors associated with this outcome. Results Among all deaths identified during the record review, two were due to suicide (.09%). The patients were one female and one male, 60 and 42 years of age, diagnosed with breast cancer and gastroesophageal junction cancer, respectively, associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as several economic, social, and familial stress factors. One of the patients was identified as likely having major depressive disorder. Discussion and conclusion Deaths might be underreported in our population. A systematic evaluation is required in order to establish and detect suicidal behavior risk factors, and a follow-up plan for all these patients.
Resumen Introducción El suicidio representa un problema de salud pública en todo el mundo. Los pacientes con cáncer pueden tener factores de vulnerabilidad para presentar conducta suicida. Hay múltiples factores asociados con este fenómeno, incluidos los derivados de la enfermedad en sí, enfermedades mentales y factores sociales, personales y espirituales. Aunque hay reportes previos que describen una tasa de suicidio que va del .03 al 7% entre los pacientes con cáncer que reciben cuidados paliativos, esto no se ha estudiado en México. Objetivo Reportar los casos de suicidio en pacientes oncológicos que reciben cuidados paliativos en un centro oncológico de referencia. Método Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo, donde se revisaron los expedientes de los pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Cuidados Paliativos del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología entre 2018-2019. Se revisaron los expedientes de los pacientes que se suicidaron para describir los factores de riesgo que presentaban. Resultados Entre todas las muertes identificadas durante la revisión de expedientes, dos se debieron a suicidio (.09%). Los pacientes fueron una mujer y un hombre, de 60 y 42 años, diagnosticados de cáncer de mama y de una unión gastroesofágica, respectivamente. Los factores asociados fueron el consumo de tabaco y alcohol, así como varios factores de estrés económico, social y familiar. Se identificó, asimismo, que uno de los pacientes padecía trastorno depresivo mayor. Discusión y conclusión Es posible que los suicidios estén infrarreportados en nuestra población. Se requiere una evaluación sistemática para establecer y detectar factores de riesgo de conducta suicida, y un plan de seguimiento para todos estos pacientes.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Continuous palliative sedation (PS) is currently titrated based on clinical observation; however, it is often unclear if patients are still aware of their suffering. The aim of this prospective study is to characterize the level of consciousness in patients undergoing PS using Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled consecutive patients with refractory symptoms requiring PS. We documented the level of sedation using Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) and BIS at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h during the first day of PS and examined their degree of association. Intravenous midazolam or propofol was titrated according to the sedation level. RESULTS: Twenty patients on PS were recruited and had BIS continuous monitoring. Delirium was the most frequent reason for PS (n = 15, 75%). The median time of sedation was 24.5 h (interquartile range 6-46). The average time to achieve the desired sedation level was 6 h, and dose titration was required in 80% of the cases. At baseline, 14 (70%) patients were considered to be awake according to RSS (i.e., 1-3) and 19 (95%) were awake according to BIS (i.e., >60%). This proportion decreased to 31 and 56% at 4 h, 27% and 53 at 6 h, and 22 and 33% at 24 h. RS and BIS had moderate correlation (rho = -0.58 to -0.65); however, a small proportion of patients were found to be awake by BIS (i.e., ≥60%) despite clinical observation (i.e., RSS 4-6) indicating otherwise. CONCLUSIONS: The BIS is a noninvasive, bedside, real-time continuous monitoring method that may facilitate the objective assessment of level of consciousness and dose titration in patients undergoing PS.
