Patient-reported care satisfaction and symptom burden in hospitalized patients with cancer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 180-180
Author(s):  
Carolyn L. Qian ◽  
Charu Vyas ◽  
Eva Gaufberg ◽  
Emilia Kaslow-Zieve ◽  
Chinenye C. Azoba ◽  
...  

180 Background: Hospitalized patients with cancer often experience a high symptom burden, which may impact care satisfaction and healthcare utilization. However, research describing these patients’ care satisfaction, symptom burden, and health care use is lacking. We sought to investigate relationships among care satisfaction, physical and psychological symptom burden, and hospital length of stay (LOS) in hospitalized patients with cancer. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with cancer and unplanned hospitalizations from 9/2014 to 4/2017. Upon admission, we assessed patients’ care satisfaction (FAMCARE items: satisfaction with care coordination and the speed with which symptoms are treated) as well as their physical (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System [ESAS]) and psychological (Patient Health Questionnaire-4 [PHQ-4]) symptoms. We used regression models to identify factors associated with care satisfaction, and we also examined associations of care satisfaction with patients’ symptom burden and hospital length of stay (LOS). Results: Among 1,576 participants (median age = 65.0 years [range:19-96], 46.3% female, 70.9% with incurable cancer, 58.4% admitted to a dedicated oncology service), most reported being “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with care coordination (90.1%) and the speed with which symptoms are treated (89.0%). Older age (care coordination: B < 0.01, P = 0.022, speed with which symptoms are treated: B = 0.01, P = 0.001) and admission to a dedicated oncology service (B = 0.20, P < 0.001 for each) were associated with higher care satisfaction. Higher satisfaction with care coordination was associated with lower ESAS-physical (B = -1.28, P = 0.007), ESAS-total (B = -2.73, P < 0.001), PHQ4-depression (B = -0.14, P = 0.022), and PHQ4-anxiety (B = -0.16, P = 0.008) symptoms. Higher satisfaction with the speed with which symptoms are treated was associated with lower ESAS-physical (B = -1.32, P = 0.003), ESAS-total (B = -2.46, P < 0.001), PHQ4-depression (B = -0.14, P = 0.014), and PHQ4-anxiety (B = -0.17, P = 0.004) symptoms. Greater satisfaction with care coordination (B = -0.48, P = 0.040) and the speed with which symptoms are treated (B = -0.44, P = 0.041) were both associated with shorter LOS. Conclusions: Hospitalized patients with cancer report high care satisfaction, which correlates with older age and admission to a dedicated oncology service. Significant associations among higher care satisfaction, lower symptom burden, and shorter hospital LOS highlight the importance of improving symptom management and care coordination in this population.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 747-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Lage ◽  
Areej El-Jawahri ◽  
Charn-Xin Fuh ◽  
Richard A. Newcomb ◽  
Vicki A. Jackson ◽  
...  

Background: National guidelines recommend regular measurement of functional status among patients with cancer, particularly those who are elderly or high-risk, but little is known about how functional status relates to clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with advanced cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate how functional impairment is associated with symptom burden and healthcare utilization and clinical outcomes. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with advanced cancer with unplanned hospitalizations at Massachusetts General Hospital from September 2014 through March 2016. Upon admission, nurses assessed patients’ activities of daily living (ADLs; mobility, feeding, bathing, dressing, and grooming). Patients with any ADL impairment on admission were classified as having functional impairment. We used the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 to assess physical and psychological symptoms, respectively. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the relationships between functional impairment, hospital length of stay, and survival. Results: Among 971 patients, 390 (40.2%) had functional impairment. Those with functional impairment were older (mean age, 67.18 vs 60.81 years; P<.001) and had a higher physical symptom burden (mean ESAS physical score, 35.29 vs 30.85; P<.001) compared with those with no functional impairment. They were also more likely to report moderate-to-severe pain (74.9% vs 63.1%; P<.001) and symptoms of depression (38.3% vs 23.6%; P<.001) and anxiety (35.9% vs 22.4%; P<.001). Functional impairment was associated with longer hospital length of stay (β = 1.29; P<.001) and worse survival (hazard ratio, 1.73; P<.001). Conclusions: Hospitalized patients with advanced cancer who had functional impairment experienced a significantly higher symptom burden and worse clinical outcomes compared with those without functional impairment. These findings provide evidence supporting the routine assessment of functional status on hospital admission and using this to inform discharge planning, discussions about prognosis, and the development of interventions addressing patients’ symptoms and physical function.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2013-2013
Author(s):  
Emilia R. Kaslow-Zieve ◽  
Carolyn L. Qian ◽  
Chinenye C. Azoba ◽  
Irene Wang ◽  
Emily E. Van Seventer ◽  
...  

2013 Background: Hospitalized patients with cancer often experience high symptom burden, which may impact their care satisfaction and use of health care services. Yet, studies describing these patients’ care satisfaction, symptom burden, and health care utilization are lacking. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with cancer and unplanned hospitalizations from 9/2014-4/2017. Upon admission, patients self-reported their care satisfaction (FAMCARE items asking about satisfaction regarding speed with which symptoms are treated and coordination of care) and physical (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System [ESAS]) and psychological (Patient Health Questionnaire 4 [PHQ4]) symptom burden. We used regression models to identify patient factors associated with care satisfaction. We also explored associations between patients’ care satisfaction, symptom burden, and hospital length of stay (LOS) in models adjusted for age, sex, marital status, comorbidity score, cancer type, cancer documented as curable/incurable, time since cancer diagnosis, and admission to a dedicated oncology service. Results: We enrolled 1,576 of 1,749 (90.1%) consecutive patients (mean age = 63.19±13.39 years, 46.3% female). Most reported being very satisfied/satisfied with the speed with which symptoms are treated (89.0%) and coordination of care (90.1%). Older age (B = 0.01, P < .02 for both) and admission to a dedicated oncology service (B = 0.20, P < .01 for both) were each independently associated with higher satisfaction with the speed with which symptoms are treated and coordination of care. Higher satisfaction with the speed with which symptoms are treated was associated with lower PHQ4 depression (B = -0.14, P = .01), PHQ4 anxiety (B = -0.11, P < .01), ESAS physical (B = -1.30, P < .01), and ESAS total (B = -2.44, P < .01) symptoms. Higher satisfaction with coordination of care was associated with lower PHQ4 depression (B = -0.14, P = .02), PHQ4 anxiety (B = -0.16, P < .01), ESAS physical (B = -1.30, P < .01), and ESAS total (B = -2.75, P < .01) symptoms. Satisfaction with the speed with which symptoms are treated (B = -0.47, P = .03) and coordination of care (B = -0.50, P = .03) were both associated with shorter hospital LOS. Conclusions: Most hospitalized patients with cancer reported high care satisfaction, which was associated with older age and admission to a dedicated oncology service. We found relationships among higher care satisfaction, lower symptom burden, and shorter hospital LOS, underscoring the importance of efforts to enhance symptom management and care coordination in this population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-327
Author(s):  
Emily van Seventer ◽  
J. Peter Marquardt ◽  
Amelie S. Troschel ◽  
Till D. Best ◽  
Nora Horick ◽  
...  

Background: Low muscle mass (quantity) is common in patients with advanced cancer, but little is known about muscle radiodensity (quality). We sought to describe the associations of muscle mass and radiodensity with symptom burden, healthcare use, and survival in hospitalized patients with advanced cancer. Methods: We prospectively enrolled hospitalized patients with advanced cancer from September 2014 through May 2016. Upon admission, patients reported their physical (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System [ESAS]) and psychological (Patient Health Questionnaire-4 [PHQ-4]) symptoms. We used CT scans performed per routine care within 45 days before enrollment to evaluate muscle mass and radiodensity. We used regression models to examine associations of muscle mass and radiodensity with patients’ symptom burden, healthcare use (hospital length of stay and readmissions), and survival. Results: Of 1,121 patients enrolled, 677 had evaluable muscle data on CT (mean age, 62.86 ± 12.95 years; 51.1% female). Older age and female sex were associated with lower muscle mass (age: B, –0.16; P<.001; female: B, –6.89; P<.001) and radiodensity (age: B, –0.33; P<.001; female: B, –1.66; P=.014), and higher BMI was associated with higher muscle mass (B, 0.58; P<.001) and lower radiodensity (B, –0.61; P<.001). Higher muscle mass was significantly associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.97; P<.001). Notably, higher muscle radiodensity was significantly associated with lower ESAS-Physical (B, –0.17; P=.016), ESAS-Total (B, –0.29; P=.002), PHQ-4-Depression (B, –0.03; P=.006), and PHQ-4-Anxiety (B, –0.03; P=.008) symptoms, as well as decreased hospital length of stay (B, –0.07; P=.005), risk of readmission or death in 90 days (odds ratio, 0.97; P<.001), and improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.97; P<.001). Conclusions: Although muscle mass (quantity) only correlated with survival, we found that muscle radiodensity (quality) was associated with patients’ symptoms, healthcare use, and survival. These findings underscore the added importance of assessing muscle quality when seeking to address adverse muscle changes in oncology.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 203-203
Author(s):  
Daniel E Lage ◽  
Areej El-Jawahri ◽  
Charn-Xin Fuh ◽  
Richard Newcomb ◽  
Vicki Jackson ◽  
...  

203 Background: Hospitalized patients with cancer often have impaired ADLs related to age, comorbidities, and both cancer and treatment-related morbidity. However, the relationship between ADL impairment and patients’ symptom burden and clinical outcomes has not been well described. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with advanced cancer with unplanned hospitalizations at an academic medical center. Upon admission, nurses assessed patients’ ADLs (mobility, feeding, bathing, dressing, and grooming). We used the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 to assess physical and psychological symptoms, comparing symptom burden between patients with and without ADL impairment. We used regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, Charlson comorbidity index, months since advanced cancer diagnosis, and cancer type to assess the relationship between any ADL impairment and hospital length of stay, the composite outcome of death or readmission within 90 days of discharge, and survival. Results: Among 932 patients, 40.2% had at least one ADL impairment. Patients with ADL impairment were older (67.2 vs. 60.8 years, p<0.001), had higher Charlson comorbidity index (1.1 vs. 0.7, p<0.001), and higher physical symptom burden (ESAS Physical 35.2 vs. 30.9, p<0.001). Those with ADL impairment were more likely to have moderate to severe constipation (46.7% vs. 36.0%, p<0.01), pain (74.9% vs. 63.1%, p<0.01), drowsiness (76.6% vs. 68.3%, p<0.01), as well as symptoms of depression (38.3% vs. 23.6%, p<0.01) and anxiety (35.9% vs. 22.4%, p<0.01). In adjusted models, ADL impairment was associated with longer hospital length of stay (B=1.30, p<0.01), higher odds of death or readmission within 90 days (odds ratio=2.26, p<0.01), and worse survival (hazard ratio=1.73, p<0.01). Conclusions: Hospitalized patients with advanced cancer who have ADL impairment experience a significantly higher symptom burden and worse health outcomes compared to those without ADL impairment. These findings highlight the need to assess and address ADL impairment among this population to enhance their quality of life and care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11554-11554
Author(s):  
Daniel E Lage ◽  
Areej El-Jawahri ◽  
Charn-Xin Fuh ◽  
Richard Newcomb ◽  
Vicki Jackson ◽  
...  

11554 Background: Hospitalized patients with cancer often have impaired function, as measured by activities of daily living (ADLs), related to age, comorbidities, and both cancer and treatment-related morbidity. However, the relationship between functional impairment and patients’ symptom burden and clinical outcomes has not been well described. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with advanced cancer with unplanned hospitalizations at an academic medical center. Upon admission, nurses assessed patients’ ADLs (mobility, feeding, bathing, dressing, and grooming). We used the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 to assess physical and psychological symptoms, comparing symptom burden between patients with and without ADL impairment. We used regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, Charlson comorbidity index, months since advanced cancer diagnosis, and cancer type to assess the relationship between any ADL impairment on admission and hospital length of stay, the composite outcome of death or readmission within 90 days of discharge, and survival. Results: Among 932 patients, 40.2% had at least one ADL impairment. Patients with ADL impairment were older (Mean = 67.2 vs 60.8 years, p < 0.001), had higher Charlson comorbidity index (Mean = 1.1 vs 0.7, p < 0.001), and higher physical symptom burden (ESAS Physical Mean = 35.2 vs 30.9, p < 0.001). Those with ADL impairment were more likely to have moderate to severe constipation (46.7% vs. 36.0%, p < 0.01), pain (74.9% vs. 63.1%, p < 0.01), drowsiness (76.6% vs. 68.3%, p < 0.01), as well as symptoms of depression (38.3% vs. 23.6%, p < 0.01) and anxiety (35.9% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.01). In adjusted models, ADL impairment was associated with longer hospital length of stay (B = 1.30, p < 0.01), higher odds of death or readmission within 90 days (odds ratio = 2.26, p < 0.01), and higher mortality (hazard ratio = 1.73, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Hospitalized patients with advanced cancer who have functional impairment experience a significantly higher symptom burden and worse health outcomes compared to those without functional impairment. These findings highlight the need to assess and address functional impairment among this population to enhance their quality of life and care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S346-S346
Author(s):  
Sarah Norman ◽  
Sara Jones ◽  
David Reeves ◽  
Christian Cheatham

Abstract Background At the time of this writing, there is no FDA approved medication for the treatment of COVID-19. One medication currently under investigation for COVID-19 treatment is tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor. It has been shown there are increased levels of cytokines including IL-6 in severe COVID-19 hospitalized patients attributed to cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Therefore, inhibition of IL-6 receptors may lead to a reduction in cytokines and prevent progression of CRS. The purpose of this retrospective study is to utilize a case-matched design to investigate clinical outcomes associated with the use of tocilizumab in severe COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Methods This was a retrospective, multi-center, case-matched series matched 1:1 on age, BMI, and days since symptom onset. Inclusion criteria included ≥ 18 years of age, laboratory confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 result, admitted to a community hospital from March 1st – May 8th, 2020, and received tocilizumab while admitted. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay, total mechanical ventilation days, mechanical ventilation mortality, and incidence of secondary bacterial or fungal infections. Results The following results are presented as tocilizumab vs control respectively. The primary outcome of in-hospital mortality for tocilizumab (n=26) vs control (n=26) was 10 (38%) vs 11 (42%) patients, p=0.777. The median hospital length of stay for tocilizumab vs control was 14 vs 11 days, p=0.275. The median days of mechanical ventilation for tocilizumab (n=21) vs control (n=15) was 8 vs 7 days, p=0.139, and the mechanical ventilation mortality was 10 (48%) vs 9 (60%) patients, p=0.463. In the tocilizumab group, for those expired (n=10) vs alive (n=16), 10 (100%) vs 7 (50%) patients respectively had a peak ferritin &gt; 600 ng/mL, and 6 (60%) vs 8 (50%) patients had a peak D-dimer &gt; 2,000 ng/mL. The incidence of secondary bacterial or fungal infections within 7 days of tocilizumab administration occurred in 5 (19%) patients. Conclusion These findings suggest that tocilizumab may be a beneficial treatment modality for severe COVID-19 patients. Larger, prospective, placebo-controlled trials are needed to further validate results. Disclosures Christian Cheatham, PharmD, BCIDP, Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (Shareholder)


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10123-10123
Author(s):  
Ryan David Nipp ◽  
Areej El-Jawahri ◽  
Samantha M.C. Moran ◽  
Sara D'Arpino ◽  
Connor Johnson ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 71 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 183-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Verçoza Viana ◽  
Luciana Verçoza Viana ◽  
Ana Laura Tavares ◽  
Mirela Jobim de Azevedo

Background: The best insulin regimen to treat hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients on nutritional support (NS) is unclear. Methods: We searched electronic databases to identify cohort studies or randomized clinical trials in order to evaluate the efficacy of different insulin regimens used to treat hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients on NS on diverse outcomes: mean blood glucose (MBG), hypoglycemia, length of stay in hospital, and mortality. Results: Seventeen studies from a total of 5,030 were included. Enteral Group included 8 studies; 1,203 patients using rapid, glargine, NPH, or Premix insulin; MBG 108-225 mg/dL; hypoglycemia 0-13%. In indirect meta-analyses, NPH insulin ranked best for glucose control (MD 95% CI -2.50 mg/dL [2.65 to -2.35]). Parenteral Group included 4 studies; 228 patients using regular and glargine or NPH insulin; MBG 137-202 mg/dL; hypoglycemia 0-40%. In meta-analyses comparing regular insulin added to parenteral nutrition bag with glargine, MBG (MD 95% CI -3.78 mg/dL [-11.93 to 4.37]; I2 = 0%) or hypoglycemia frequency (RR 95% CI 1.37 [0.43-4.32]; I2 = 70.7%) did not differ. The description related to hospital length of stay and mortality was inconsistent between groups. Conclusions: The best insulin regimen to treat hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients on NS has not been established; best results using insulin regimens with NPH in enteral nutrition do not seem to be clinically relevant.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana J. Pinto ◽  
Karla F. Goessler ◽  
Alan L. Fernandes ◽  
Igor H. Murai ◽  
Lucas P. Sales ◽  
...  

AbstractPurposeThis small-scale, prospective cohort study nested within a randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the possible associations between physical activity levels and clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19.MethodsHospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 were recruited from Clinical Hospital of the School of Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo (a quaternary referral teaching hospital), and from Ibirapuera Field Hospital, both located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Physical activity levels were assessed by Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay. The secondary outcomes were: mortality, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mechanical ventilation requirement.ResultsMean hospital length of stay was 8.5 ± 7.1 days; 3.3% of patients died, 13.8% were admitted to ICU, and 8.6% required mechanical ventilation. Linear regression models showed that physical activity indexes were not associated with hospital length of stay (work index: β=-0.57 [95%CI: −1.80 to 0.65], p=0.355; sport index: β=0.43 [95%CI: −0.94 to 1.80], p=0.536; leisure-time index: β=1.18 [95%CI: −0.22 to 2.59], p=0.099; total activity index: β=0.20 [95%CI: −0.48 to 0.87], p=0.563. Physical activity indexes were not associated with mortality, admission to ICU and mechanical ventilation requirement (all p>0.05).ConclusionsAmong hospitalized patients with COVID-19, physical activity did not associate with hospital length of stay or any other clinically-relevant outcomes. These findings suggest that previous physical activity levels may not change the prognosis of severe COVID-19.


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