Ferraz Gonçalves1, Ana Almeida2, Catarina Antunes3, Maria Cardoso4, Margarida Carvalho5, Maria Claro6, Francisca Coimbra7, Inês Diniz3, Bruno Fonseca6, Emília Fradique8, Edna Gonçalves9, Florbela Gonçalves10, Maria Gonçalves5, Américo Magalhães11, Paulo Pina7, Conceição Pires9, Paula Silva2, Ricardo Silva4, Rui Silva10, Filipa Tavares8, Laura Teixeira11. 1. Department of Palliative Care, Instituto Português de Oncologia, Porto, Portugal ferrazg@ipoporto.min-saude.pt. 2. Department of Palliative Care, Instituto Português de Oncologia, Porto, Portugal. 3. Department of Palliative Care, Hospital do Mar, Lisboa, Portugal. 4. Department of Palliative Care, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal. 5. Department of Palliative Care, Hospital do Litoral Alentejano, Santiago do Cacém, Portugal. 6. Department of Palliative Care, Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos, Matosinhos, Portugal. 7. Department of Palliative Care, Instituto Português de Oncologia, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. 8. Department of Palliative Care, Hospital de St. Maria, Lisboa, Portugal. 9. Department of Palliative Care, Centro Hospitalar de S. João, Porto, Portugal. 10. Department of Palliative Care, Instituto Português de Oncologia, Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. 11. Department of Palliative Care, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the burden of patients' symptoms other than pain and their treatment by Portuguese palliative care teams. METHODS: Of the 21 Portuguese palliative care teams identified, 10 accepted to participate. Data from all patients observed on the 18th week of 2011 were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four patients were included in this study. One hundred and fifty-one patients (92%) had cancer. The patients' median age was 71 years (16-95) and 84 (51%) were females. The main symptoms were fatigue (116 [85%]) and depression/sadness (107 [65%]). Many different drugs were used for symptom control and other aims. Symptoms and drugs used here are similar to those practiced in other countries. CONCLUSION: The practice of palliative care in Portugal seems to be similar to those in other countries.
OBJECTIVE: To study the burden of patients' symptoms other than pain and their treatment by Portuguese palliative care teams. METHODS: Of the 21 Portuguese palliative care teams identified, 10 accepted to participate. Data from all patients observed on the 18th week of 2011 were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four patients were included in this study. One hundred and fifty-one patients (92%) had cancer. The patients' median age was 71 years (16-95) and 84 (51%) were females. The main symptoms were fatigue (116 [85%]) and depression/sadness (107 [65%]). Many different drugs were used for symptom control and other aims. Symptoms and drugs used here are similar to those practiced in other countries. CONCLUSION: The practice of palliative care in Portugal seems to be similar to those in other countries.
Authors: Sara Maria Oliveira Pinto; Sílvia Maria Alves Caldeira Berenguer; José Carlos Amado Martins; Katharine Kolcaba Journal: Porto Biomed J Date: 2016-09-17