Is Early Palliative Care Feasible in Patients With Multiple Myeloma?

Context. Evidence for the benefits of early palliative care (EPC) in patients with solid tumors is strong, but EPC has received scant attention in hematologic malignancies. Objective. To assess the benefits of outpatient-based EPC for symptom control in patients with multiple myeloma. Methods. Retro...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Porta-Sales, Josep, Guerrero Torrelles, Maria, Moreno-Alonso, Deborah, Sarrà-Escarré, Josep, Clapés-Puig, Victòria, Trelis-Navarro, Jordi, Sureda, Anna, Fernández de Sevilla-Ribosa, Alberto
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:20.500.12328/5188
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12328/5188
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.04.012
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Palliative care
Palliative medicine
Hematology
Multiple myeloma
Pain
Neoplasms
Hematología
Mieloma múltiple
Dolor
Neoplasias
Cuidados paliativos
Medicina paliativa
Cures pal·liatives
Medicina pal·liativa
Hematologia
Neoplàsies
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Descripción
Sumario:Context. Evidence for the benefits of early palliative care (EPC) in patients with solid tumors is strong, but EPC has received scant attention in hematologic malignancies. Objective. To assess the benefits of outpatient-based EPC for symptom control in patients with multiple myeloma. Methods. Retrospective study of patients attending the Multiple Myeloma Palliative Care Clinic at our hospital in the year 2013 (February 1eDecember 31). The following symptoms were assessed at baseline and at three follow-up consultations using a Numerical Visual Scale (0 ¼ no symptoms; 10 ¼ worst possible): pain, anorexia, constipation, insomnia, nausea/ vomiting, dyspnea, anxiety, and sadness. Physical and emotional symptom burden scores were calculated. Pain interference with general activity, sleep, and mood was also evaluated. Results. About 67 patients were included. The proportion of patients reporting moderate-to-severe pain (Numerical Visual Scale $5) decreased significantly from baseline to the final follow-up: worst pain decreased from 57% to 18% (P < 0.0001), whereas average pain fell from 24% to 2% (P < 0.0001). The percentage of patients reporting no pain interference increased significantly from baseline: general activity (52% vs. 82%; P ¼ 0.0001), sleep (73% vs. 91%; P ¼ 0.01), and mood (52% vs. 87.5%; P ¼ 0.0001). Physical and emotional symptom burden also improved, with significantly fewer patients reporting depression (13% vs. 5%; P ¼ 0.001). Most patients (86.6%) were alive and still attending the Multiple Myeloma Palliative Care Clinic at study end. Conclusions. These findings indicate that EPC is feasible in patients with multiple myeloma. Pain and other symptoms were well controlled. J Pain Symptom Manage 2017;54:692e700. 2017 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.