Sara Booth1, Richella Ryan, Anna Spathis. 1. aCambridge Breathlessness Intervention Service (CBIS), University of Cambridge bDepartment of Primary Care, Cambridge Institute of Public Health cCBIS, CUHNHSFT, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The review considers the evidence for different service models existing for helping people manage the chronic, irreversible breathlessness that accompanies advanced disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Many of the service models that are delivering care have not yet published their results in the scientific literature because these ideas, and the methods to evaluate them, are relatively new. There are three randomized controlled trials published which demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach and one which suggests that more episodes of some intervention components are not necessarily better. SUMMARY: Breathlessness severity gives a better guide to a patient's prognosis than physiological measures in many diseases and the general population. Randomized controlled trial evidence confirms that a complex intervention for breathlessness can improve quality of life, reduce symptom impact, and support carers. Some preliminary data suggest prognosis improvement in some people. Integrated care is needed for both rapidly progressive disease, where death is inevitable, and chronic illness, when health improvement is possible.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The review considers the evidence for different service models existing for helping people manage the chronic, irreversible breathlessness that accompanies advanced disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Many of the service models that are delivering care have not yet published their results in the scientific literature because these ideas, and the methods to evaluate them, are relatively new. There are three randomized controlled trials published which demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach and one which suggests that more episodes of some intervention components are not necessarily better. SUMMARY: Breathlessness severity gives a better guide to a patient's prognosis than physiological measures in many diseases and the general population. Randomized controlled trial evidence confirms that a complex intervention for breathlessness can improve quality of life, reduce symptom impact, and support carers. Some preliminary data suggest prognosis improvement in some people. Integrated care is needed for both rapidly progressive disease, where death is inevitable, and chronic illness, when health improvement is possible.
Authors: Reiko Asano; Stephen C Mathai; Peter S Macdonald; Phillip J Newton; David C Currow; Jane Phillips; Wing-Fai Yeung; Patricia M Davidson Journal: Heart Fail Rev Date: 2020-03 Impact factor: 4.214