Symptom expression in advanced cancer patients admitted to hospice or home care with and without delirium

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between delirium and symptom expression in advanced cancer patients admitted to palliative care services. This is a secondary analysis of a consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients who were admitted to home care and hospices, and prospectively assessed for a period of 10  months. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and the MDAS (Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale) were measured at admission (T0) and after seven days of home care or hospice care (T7). Of the eight hundred and forty-eight patients screened in the period, 585 were not considered in the analysis for various reasons. The mean age was 72.1  years (SD 13.7), and 146 patients were males (55.5%). The mean Karnofsky status recorded atT0 is 34.1 (SD  = 6.69). The mean duration palliative care assistance is 38.4 days (SD = 48, range 2–220). Of 263 patients who had a MDAS available atT0, 110 patients (41.8%) had a diagnosis of delirium. Of them, 167 patients had complete data regarding MDAS measurement, either atT0 andT7. A larger number of patients (n 167, 63.5%) had delirium after a week of palliative care. Patients with delirium are likely to be older, to have a lower Karnofsky level atT0, and to be home care patients. AtT0, weakness, nausea, drowsiness, lack of appetite, and well-being are associated with delirium. AtT7, weakness, poor appetite, and poor well-being are significantly associated with delirium. 27% of patients wh...
Source: Internal and Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research