The impact of early palliative care on the quality of life of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: The IMPERATIVE study.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS777-TPS777
Author(s):  
Stephanie Lelond ◽  
Harvey Chochinov ◽  
Paul Joseph Daeninck ◽  
Benjamin Adam Goldenberg ◽  
Lisa Lix ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Patient Experience ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Advanced Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Nurse Specialist ◽  
Early Palliative Care ◽  
The Impact

TPS777 Background: Pancreatic cancer is lethal. Chemotherapy can improve survival by months; however, many patients experience an overwhelming burden of cancer-associated symptoms and poor quality of life (QOL). Early palliative care (EPC) alongside standard oncologic care results in improved QOL and survival in patients with lung cancer. Although international guidelines recommend EPC for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (PANC), the benefit is not known. Objectives: The primary objective is to test for change in QOL between baseline (BL) and 16 weeks (wk). Secondary objectives are to test for change between BL and 16 wk in (a) symptom control; and (b) depression and anxiety. Methods: This prospective case-crossover study of patients with PANC provides EPC plus standard oncologic care. Primary oncology clinics refer patients to an EPC team led by a palliative care physician and a clinical nurse specialist. BL questionnaires are completed prior to initial EPC assessment, then every 4 wk until wk 16. EPC visits are every 2 wk for the first month, every 4 wk until wk 16, and then as needed. QOL, symptom control, anxiety and depression are measured using the FACT-Hep tool, ESAS-r, HADS and PHQ-9, respectively. A generalized linear model will test for statistically significant change in scores between BL and 16 wk; chemotherapy (yes/no) is included as a confounding covariate; model fit will be assessed. A sample size of 20 patients provides 80% power after controlling for covariate effects. 40 patients will be enrolled to account for missing data. To date, 28 patients have enrolled and 17 have completed the intervention. Significance: The benefit of EPC for patients with PANC is not known, however, EPC is increasingly recognized internationally by patients and stakeholders as a critical intervention which may improve both QOL and satisfaction with care. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer’s report on the patient experience states “the best possible patient experience means all people with cancer have equitable access to high-quality person-centered palliative care”. This study offers access to EPC and provides an environment in which the benefit of an integrated approach is evaluated.

A retrospective analysis evaluating the benefit of early palliative care for patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 30-30
Author(s):  
Julia Quintin ◽  
Jaafar Bennouna ◽  
Hélène Senellart ◽  
Sandrine Hiret ◽  
Veronique Barbarot
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Advanced Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Early Palliative Care

30 Background: Patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma exhibit from the diagnosis and beyond severe clinical symptoms dominated by pain and weight loss, hampering quality of life. A recent study in metastatic lung cancer have shown a clear advantage of early palliative care in both quality of life and mood (Temel JS, et al. N Engl J Med 2010;363:733-42). Methods: Based on these data, we conducted a monocentric retrospective study including patients with advanced pancreatic cancer newly diagnosed and treated according with standard guidelines. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of early palliative care visits (with supportive care physicians) on disease control symptoms, quality of life and overall survival. Results: From January 2006 to December 2010, 157 patients, PS 0, 1 or 2, with newly diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer were retrospectively enrolled. 126 patients (80.3 %) received at least one chemotherapy line. Out of 157 patients, 64 (40.7%) were seen in our palliative care department. Demographic patient characteristics between the two groups were well balanced; palliative care versus non palliative care: median age, 66.2 vs 66.7 years; PS 0,1 51 (79.5 %) vs 73 (79.7 %) ; male 34 (53.1 %) vs 47 (50.5 %) ; metastatic disease 39 (60.9%) vs 51 (54.8 %). Patients in the palliative care group showed more clinical symptoms at diagnosis, especially pain (73.4% patients in palliative care group versus 50.5%; p=0.004). They received less aggressive care at the end of their life: interruption of chemotherapy earlier (1.7 months before death versus 1.2 months) and less number of chemotherapy cycles in the month before death (22.7% versus 43.5%, p=0.042). However, no significant difference was observed for overall survival between both groups: 7.5 months in palliative care group versus 6.9 months (p=0.99). Conclusions: This study underlines the need of a multidisciplinary approach in advanced pancreatic cancer, promoting palliative care started initially at the diagnosis. It deserves to be completed by a largest prospective randomized study including a quality of life analysis.

The impact of early palliative care on the quality of life of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: The IMPERATIVE study.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 12116-12116
Author(s):  
Christina Kim ◽  
Stephanie Lelond ◽  
Paul Joseph Daeninck ◽  
Rasheda Rabbani ◽  
Lisa Lix ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Metastatic Disease ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Early Palliative Care ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

12116 Background: Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is an aggressive, deadly disease. Chemotherapy (CT) can improve survival by months, but symptom burden is heavy and quality of life (QOL) is poor. Early palliative care (EPC) alongside standard oncologic care improves QOL and survival in other types of cancer; however, the impact on QOL and symptom burden in advanced PDAC is not known. The primary objective of this study was to test for improvement in QOL between baseline (BL) and 16 weeks (wks) among patients receiving EPC. A secondary objective was to test for decreased symptom burden between BL and 16 wk. Methods: In this prospective case-crossover study, patients >18 years with advanced PDAC received EPC provided by a subspecialist palliative care physician and advanced practice nurse plus standard oncologic care. Ambulatory EPC visits occurred every 2 wks for the first month, then every 4 wks until wk 16, and then as needed. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – hepatobiliary (FACT-hep) and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) questionnaires were completed at enrollment and every 4 wks until wk 16. Least square means and 95% confidence intervals were computed. A generalized linear mixed model was used to test for statistically significant change in scores between BL and wk 16. A sample size of 20 patients provides 80% power after controlling for covariates; 40 patients were enrolled to account for anticipated attrition and missing data. Results: Of 40 patients, 25 (62.5%) were male, 28 (70%) had metastatic disease, 31 (77.5%) had an ECOG performance status of 0-1, 17 (42.5%) had a body mass index (BMI) >25, 35 (89.7%) had an elevated CA19-9 and 31 (77.5%) received CT. Median age was 70.2 (range 63.0-77.5). BL and wk 16 questionnaires were completed by 100% and 70% of patients, respectively. The mean FACT-hep score at BL was 118.8, compared to 125.7 at wk 16, for a mean change of 6.89, [95%CI (-1.69-15.6); p = 0.11]. The mean change from BL to wk 16 for FACT-hep was statistically significant in patients receiving CT, 10.1 [95%CI (0.32-19.8); p = 0.04], patients with metastatic disease, 14.7 [95%CI (5.30-24.1); p = 0.0030] and patients with a BMI >25, 12.5 [95%CI (1.29-23.7); p = 0.03]. The mean ESAS total symptom score at BL was 25.3, compared to 22.7 at wk 16 (p = 0.28). In those with metastatic disease the mean change was statistically significant, -5.73 [95%CI (-11.21 to -0.24); p = 0.04]. Conclusions: EPC resulted in improved QOL in pts with PDAC receiving CT and those with a BMI >25, and improved QOL and symptom burden in patients with metastatic disease. Given minimal attrition and high rates of questionnaire completion, our sample size was robust, resulting in strong power. Providing palliative care alongside standard oncologic care results in clinically meaningful improvements. Access to palliative care, shortly after diagnosis, should be available for patients with advanced PDAC. Clinical trial information: NCT03837132.

Early palliative care and quality of dying and death in patients with advanced cancer

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2021-002893
Author(s):  
Kenneth Mah ◽  
Brittany Chow ◽  
Nadia Swami ◽  
Ashley Pope ◽  
Anne Rydall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Cluster Randomised Trial ◽  
Early Palliative Care ◽  
Quality Of Dying ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveEarly palliative care (EPC) in the outpatient setting improves quality of life for patients with advanced cancer, but its impact on quality of dying and death (QODD) and on quality of life at the end of life (QOL-EOL) has not been examined. Our study investigated the impact of EPC on patients’ QODD and QOL-EOL and the moderating role of receiving inpatient or home palliative care.MethodBereaved family caregivers who had provided care for patients participating in a cluster-randomised trial of EPC completed a validated QODD scale and indicated whether patients had received additional home palliative care or care in an inpatient palliative care unit (PCU). We examined the effects of EPC, inpatient or home palliative care, and their interactions on the QODD total score and on QOL-EOL (last 7 days of life).ResultsA total of 157 caregivers participated. Receipt of EPC showed no association with QODD total score. However, when additional palliative care was included in the model, intervention patients demonstrated better QOL-EOL than controls (p=0.02). Further, the intervention by PCU interaction was significant (p=0.02): those receiving both EPC and palliative care in a PCU had better QOL-EOL than those receiving only palliative care in a PCU (mean difference=27.10, p=0.002) or only EPC (mean difference=20.59, p=0.02).ConclusionAlthough there was no association with QODD, EPC was associated with improved QOL-EOL, particularly for those who also received inpatient care in a PCU. This suggests a long-term benefit from early interdisciplinary palliative care on care throughout the illness.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Registry (#NCT01248624).

Patients’ and caregivers’ views on the timing and benefits of early palliative care: A qualitative study.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 157-157
Author(s):  
Breffni Hannon ◽  
Nadia Swami ◽  
Ashley Pope ◽  
Natasha B. Leighl ◽  
Monika K. Krzyzanowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Satisfaction With Care ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Early Referral ◽  
Early Palliative Care

157 Background: Early palliative care referral can improve quality of life and satisfaction with care, and is increasingly encouraged. However, little is known about patients’ and caregivers’ attitudes towards early referral. We conducted qualitative interviews seeking the opinions of advanced cancer patients (who had been randomized to an early palliative care intervention) and their caregivers, to determine whether they perceived a benefit, and if so in which domains. Methods: We recruited participants from medical oncology clinics at a comprehensive cancer centre, following completion of a randomized controlled trial comparing early palliative care referral with standard oncology care. Selective sampling was employed to ensure equivalent numbers of participants based on study arm, age, gender, high vs. low quality of life scores, and high vs. low satisfaction with care. A grounded theory approach was used to explore emerging themes. Results: Twenty-six patients and 14 caregivers completed interviews. Several benefits of early referral were noted. These included: prompt attention to symptom needs; timely, sensitive information about prognosis and end-of-life care options; and destigmatization of palliative care through routine referral. Although some participants did not feel they currently needed palliative care, they did feel comforted that early referral had provided them with a “safety net” that could quickly be put into place if they required future support. Conclusions: Early referral was perceived as useful in several domains, including immediate symptom control, and preparation for the future.

A Myriad of Symptoms: New Approaches to Optimizing Palliative Care of Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

2012 ◽  
pp. 243-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Pancreatic Enzyme ◽  
Advanced Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Outlet Obstruction ◽  
Indwelling Catheter ◽  
Enzyme Replacement ◽  
Palliative Care Consultation

Overview: Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) require early and frequent palliative interventions to achieve optimal quality of life for the duration of illness. Evidence-based supportive treatments exist to maximize quality of life for any patient, whether receiving chemotherapy or not. This article provides a comprehensive review of symptoms with current treatment recommendations and directions for future development. Celiac plexus neurolysis improves pain in the majority of patients with APC and should be moved earlier in the analgesic paradigm. Malignant bowel obstruction can be palliated quickly with optimal management via gastric decompression, octreotide, parenteral opioids, and standing antiemetics. Recommendations are provided for best treatment of malignant gastroparesis, gastric outlet obstruction, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in this population. Malignant ascites can be treated initially with diuretics and sodium-restriction in patients with an exudative process; however, an indwelling catheter is recommended for patients with recurrent ascites, particularly because of carcinomatosis or a refractory process. With exocrine insufficiency contributing to weight loss, pancreatic enzyme replacement is essential to improve nourishment in the majority of patients. Presently, megestrol acetate is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapy for the anorexia-cachexia syndrome, although future developments are promising. Finally, patients with advanced pancreatic cancer should be screened and treated early for depression as a common comorbid diagnosis. Early palliative care consultation also helps address the existential and psychosocial concerns of patients facing death from pancreatic cancer in a holistic manner.

scholarly journals Exercise efficacy and prescription during treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic O’Connor ◽  
Malcolm Brown ◽  
Martin Eatock ◽  
Richard C. Turkington ◽  
Gillian Prue
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Therapy ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Surgical resection remains the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer and is associated with significant post-operative morbidity and mortality. Patients eligible for surgery, increasingly receive neo-adjuvant therapy before surgery or adjuvant therapy afterward, inherently exposing them to toxicity. As such, optimizing physical function through exercise during treatment remains imperative to optimize quality of life either before surgery or during rehabilitation. However, current exercise efficacy and prescription in pancreatic cancer is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to summarise the published literature on exercise studies conducted in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment with a focus on determining the current prescription and progression patterns being used in this population. Methods A systematic review of four databases identified studies evaluating the effects of exercise on aerobic fitness, muscle strength, physical function, body composition, fatigue and quality of life in participants with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment, published up to 24 July 2020. Two reviewers independently reviewed and appraised the methodological quality of each study. Results Twelve studies with a total of 300 participants were included. Heterogeneity of the literature prevented meta-analysis. Exercise was associated with improvements in outcomes; however, study quality was variable with the majority of studies receiving a weak rating. Conclusions High quality evidence regarding the efficacy and prescription of exercise in pancreatic cancer is lacking. Well-designed trials, which have received feedback and input from key stakeholders prior to implementation, are required to examine the impact of exercise in pancreatic cancer on key cancer related health outcomes.

scholarly journals Efficacy of mistletoe extract as a complement to standard treatment in advanced pancreatic cancer: study protocol for a multi-centre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial (MISTRAL)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Wode ◽  
Johanna Hök Nordberg ◽  
Gunver Sophia Kienle ◽  
Nils Elander ◽  
Britt-Marie Bernhardson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Mistletoe Extract ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background Most pancreatic cancer patients present with advanced stage at diagnosis with extremely short expected survival and few treatment options. A multimodal palliative approach is necessary for symptom relief and optimisation of health-related quality of life. In a recent open-label trial of mistletoe extract for advanced pancreatic cancer patients not eligible for chemotherapy, promising results on improved overall survival and better health-related quality of life were reported. The objective of the present study is to assess the value of mistletoe extract as a complement to standard 18 treatment (palliative chemotherapy or best supportive care) in advanced pancreatic cancer patients with 19 regard to overall survival and health-related quality of life. Methods The trial is prospective, randomised, double-blind, multicentre, parallel group and placebo-controlled. In total 290 participants are randomly assigned to placebo or mistletoe extract given subcutaneously in increasing dosage from 0.01mg to 20mg three times per week for nine months. Stratification is performed for site and palliative chemotherapy. Main inclusion criteria are advanced pancreatic cancer and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status zero to two; main exclusion criteria are life expectancy less than four weeks and neuroendocrine tumour of the pancreas. Two ancillary studies on sub-sets of participants are nested in the trial: a biomarker study collecting blood samples and a cross-sectional qualitative study with semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first placebo-controlled randomised trial assessing the impact of mistletoe extract as a complement to standard treatment on overall survival and health-related quality of life in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The presented trial with its two nested ancillary studies exploring biomarkers and patient experiences is expected to give new insights into the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Trial registration EU Clinical Trial Register, EudraCT Number 2014-004552-64. Registered 19 January 2016, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2014-004552-64/SE

scholarly journals Healing at the End of Life: The Voice of the Patient

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cory Ingram
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Whole Person ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
The Impact

In palliative care we have the privilege to care for seriously ill people and their families. Some people value capturing their life story or illness journey on film. I have been fortunate to have been invited into the lives of many people close the end of life for a heartfelt conversation.On an interactive iPad incorporated in the poster, the recorded narrative of patients and one bereft spouse the poster audience will experience the lived experience of people close to the end of life as they reflect on their lives. The narratives will demonstrate how each lived with a new found improved quality of life in the face of increasing symptoms, declining functioning and the approaching end of life; otherwise known as healing. Topics of healing and quality of life, patient-centered care, dignity, human development, spirituality and love will be the focus of their stories. The stories lay bare the very practical, emotional, existential, and personal experience central to our provision of whole person care through palliative care. The poster audience will experience a renewed sense of the impact of a dedicated approach to whole person care as experienced through those on the receiving end.

Gastrointestinal symptoms of pelvic radiation disease (part 1): literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Ludlow ◽  
John Green
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Patient Experience ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Pelvic Radiation ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Pelvic Cancer ◽  
The Impact

Radiotherapy used to treat cancers in the pelvic region can have lasting side effects, and the persistence of these symptoms for 3 months or more is described as pelvic radiation disease (PRD). The growing number of pelvic cancer patients being diagnosed and successfully treated is increasing the incidence of PRD. This review examines the literature on the gastrointestinal symptoms of PRD. This includes how PRD is defined, how it is identified and how it relates specifically to the three pelvic cancers in which it most commonly manifests (prostate, gynaecological and colorectal). It pays particular attention to the impact of PRD on patient experience and quality of life. This review is the first part in a series on the GI symptoms of PRD.

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