PURPOSE:
To describe symptom prevalence, frequency and severity among hospice patients, from the perspective of hospice providers.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 16 hospices participating in the Population-based Palliative Care Research Network (PoPCRN). Hospice staff estimated symptom presence, frequency, and severity, using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale.
RESULTS:
Among the 348 patients (median age 78 years, 55% female, 55% cancer diagnosis), the most common symptoms noted by hospice staff were lack of energy (83%), pain (76%), lack of appetite (63%), drowsiness (61%), difficulty concentrating (60%), and sadness (51%). When present, lack of energy was rated by hospice providers both frequent (75% "frequently" or "almost constantly") and severe (46% "severe" or "very severe"). Symptoms varied by care setting and by diagnosis. Hospice staff often lacked sufficient information to rate potentially important symptoms, such as problems with sexual interest or activity (63%), change in self image (30%),
and worrying (26%).
CONCLUSION:
This study identifies a significant burden of unrelieved symptoms among hospice patients, suggesting a need for more widespread institution of symptom management strategies with proven effectiveness and additional investigation into treatment of common symptoms for which few effective treatment strategies are known.
The citation for the abstract above is: Symptom Burden at the End of Life - Hospice Providers Perceptions, by Jean Kutner, Cordt Kassner, and David Nowels. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, June 2001, Volume 21, Issue 6, Pages 473-480.