The Impact of Integrating the Palliative Prognostic Index into Palliative Consultation on Patients with Haematologic Malignancies: A Case control study
Abstract Background The study aims to investigate the influence of integrating the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) into the consultation system for patients with haematologic malignancies. Methods We retrospectively enrolled 53 patients with haematologic malignancies. The PPI was evaluated at the first palliative consultation. Patients were divided into two groups: before the use of the PPI (23 patients) and after the use of the PPI (30 patients). Results We first confirmed that the life expectancy for patients with haematologic malignancies was correlated with the PPI score ranking (p < 0.01). For patients with a PPI score > 6, agreement to attend hospice care was significantly higher (p = 0.01). After the use of the PPI, the mean survival time from the first consultation to death was 131.4 ± 55.9 days, which was significantly longer than before the use of the PPI (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, more leukaemia patients received palliative consultation and fewer antibiotics in their end of life care. Although there was no difference in agreement for hospice care after the first consultation, we believed that the concept of palliative care had been delivered to patients and their families. Conclusions The PPI score is a good prognostic index for patients with haematologic malignancies. The use of the PPI score in the first consultation enables patients, families and haematologists to become aware of the necessity of palliative care.