Symptom burden in malignant and non-malignant disease on admission to a palliative care unit

Journal article


See, David, Le, Brian, Gorelik, Alexandra and Eastman, Peter. (2022). Symptom burden in malignant and non-malignant disease on admission to a palliative care unit. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care. 12, pp. e792-e797. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001560
AuthorsSee, David, Le, Brian, Gorelik, Alexandra and Eastman, Peter
Abstract

Background There is increasing recognition that patients with non-malignant diseases have comparable physical and psychosocial symptom burden to patients with cancer. There is currently limited data directly comparing symptom burden between these patient groups.

Objective To investigate differences in symptom burden between patients with malignant and non-malignant conditions admitted to a palliative care unit (PCU).

Method A cross-sectional study involving 186 patients admitted to a PCU was undertaken. Patients were dichotomised into malignant or non-malignant disease categories. Symptom burden at admission was assessed using the Symptom Assessment Scale and Palliative Care Problem Severity Score. Group differences in symptoms were analysed using univariate and multivariate approaches.

Results One hundred patients (53.8%) had cancer, with upper gastrointestinal the most common type (18.0%). Among the 86 patients with non-malignant disease, neurological conditions were most prevalent (40.7%). Patients admitted with non-malignant diseases were older, more functionally impaired and more likely to be deteriorating or terminal. A malignant diagnosis was associated with a higher likelihood of clinician-assessed pain, patient-assessed pain, fatigue, psychological/spiritual symptoms and other symptoms. However, when adjusted for confounders, disease category ceased to be a significant predictor of symptom burden. Younger patients experienced worse pain and patients in terminal phase experienced less symptom burden.

Conclusion Symptom burden was similar between patients with malignant and non-malignant disease after adjustment for confounders. Further research is needed to understand the palliative care needs of patients with non-malignant disease.

Year2022
JournalBMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
Journal citation12, pp. e792-e797
PublisherBMJ Publishing Group
ISSN2045-435X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001560
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85061199573
Page rangee792-e797
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online04 Feb 2019
Publication process dates
Accepted09 Jan 2019
Deposited06 Dec 2022
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