Symptoms and problem clusters in cancer and non-cancer patients in specialized palliative care - Is there a difference?
Stiel S, Matthies DM, Seuß D, Walsh D, Lindena G, Ostgathe C (2014)
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2014
Journal
Book Volume: 48
Pages Range: 26-35
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.08.018
Abstract
Context In clinical practice, some symptoms and problems frequently occur in combination, which may have consequences for symptom management. Objectives Facing a growing number of non-cancer patients in palliative care, this study aimed to differentiate symptom clusters in the non-cancer population from those in cancer patients. Methods Inpatient data from the German Hospice and Palliative Care Evaluation between 2007 and 2011 were used for a cluster analysis of a 16-item symptom and problem checklist. An agglomerative hierarchical method was chosen. Coefficients from distance matrix ranging between 0 and 1 were calculated to indicate the interrelationship of clustered symptoms. Results The analysis identified five clusters in cancer patients: 1) nausea and vomiting (d = 0.000); 2) anxiety, tension, and feeling depressed (d = 0.125); 3) wound care and disorientation/confusion (d = 0.229); 4) organization of care and overburdening of family (d = 0.202); and 5) weakness, tiredness, need for assistance with activities of daily living, and loss of appetite (d = 0.207). Five comparable clusters were identified in non-cancer patients: 1) nausea and vomiting (d = 0.000); 2) anxiety, tension, and feeling depressed (d = 0.166); 3) organization of care and overburdening of family (d = 0.187); 4) weakness and need for assistance with activities of daily living (d = 0.139); and 5) tiredness and loss of appetite (d = 0.182). Conclusion As symptom clusters do not significantly differ between cancer and non-cancer patients, specific frequent symptoms in non-cancer patients should be assessed. Identification of symptom clusters may help to target therapies and focus the use of medications to improve patients' quality of life. © 2014 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Stiel, S., Matthies, D.M., Seuß, D., Walsh, D., Lindena, G., & Ostgathe, C. (2014). Symptoms and problem clusters in cancer and non-cancer patients in specialized palliative care - Is there a difference? Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 48(1), 26-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.08.018
MLA:
Stiel, Stephanie, et al. "Symptoms and problem clusters in cancer and non-cancer patients in specialized palliative care - Is there a difference?" Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 48.1 (2014): 26-35.
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