Non-cancer patients in specialized palliative care in Germany: What are the problems?

Ostgathe C, Alt-Epping B, Golla H, Gaertner J, Lindena G, Radbruch L, Voltz R (2011)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2011

Journal

Palliative Medicine SAGE Publications (UK and US)

Book Volume: 25

Pages Range: 148-152

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1177/0269216310385370

Abstract

To determine the role of non-cancer palliative care in inpatient services in Germany, data from the Hospice and Palliative Care Evaluation (HOPE) were analysed. Since 1999, a three-month census has been conducted annually in German palliative care units. Pooled data from 2002-2005 were tested for differences between non-cancer patients (NCs) and cancer patients (Cs). A total of 4182 patients (NC: 3.5%; C: 96.5%) were documented; functional status (using Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) measures) in NCs was lower compared to Cs (p=0.009). NCs suffered more often from dyspnoea (40%; C: 29%; p=0.004), weakness (92,3%; C: 84,5%; p=0.011) and tiredness (75.4%; C: 66.7%; p=0.03) and less from nausea (17.1%; C: 28.9%; p=0.002), vomiting (8.2%; C: 19.4%; p=0.001) or loss of appetite (55.5%; C: 67.9%; p=0.002). There were no differences in pain and constipation. Other problems (nursing, psychological) were more frequent for NCs, in particular the need for support in the activities of daily life (90.3%; C: 72.8%; p<0.001) and disorientation/confusion (32.1%; C: 17.2%; p<0.001). There were no differences in social problems. NCs are still rare in specialized inpatient palliative care institutions in Germany. The palliative care needs in patients with nonmalignant disease will challenge the health care system as the workload for these services will grow over proportionally. © The Author(s) 2010.

Authors with CRIS profile

Christoph Ostgathe Department of Palliative Medicine

Involved external institutions

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen DE Germany (DE) Universität zu Köln DE Germany (DE) CLARA Klinische Forschung DE Germany (DE) Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Ostgathe, C., Alt-Epping, B., Golla, H., Gaertner, J., Lindena, G., Radbruch, L., & Voltz, R. (2011). Non-cancer patients in specialized palliative care in Germany: What are the problems? Palliative Medicine, 25(2), 148-152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216310385370

MLA:

Ostgathe, Christoph, et al. "Non-cancer patients in specialized palliative care in Germany: What are the problems?" Palliative Medicine 25.2 (2011): 148-152.

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