Philipp Körner1,2, Katja Ehrmann3, Johann Hartmannsgruber4, Michaela Metz5, Sabrina Steigerwald5, Michael Flentje5, Birgitt van Oorschot6. 1. Interdisziplinäres Zentrum Palliativmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany. philipp.koerner@zzm.uzh.ch. 2. Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. philipp.koerner@zzm.uzh.ch. 3. Medizinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Soziologie und Rehabilitationswissenschaften, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. 4. Kinderzahnheilkunde, Praxis Landshut, Landshut, Germany. 5. Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. 6. Interdisziplinäres Zentrum Palliativmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The benefits of patient-reported symptom assessment combined with integrated palliative care are well documented. This study assessed the symptom burden of palliative and curative-intent radiation oncology patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prior to first consultation and at the end of RT, all adult cancer patients planned to receive fractionated percutaneous radiotherapy (RT) were asked to answer the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS; nine symptoms from 0 = no symptoms to 10 = worst possible symptoms). Mean values were used for curative vs. palliative and pre-post comparisons, and the clinical relevance was evaluated (symptom values ≥ 4). RESULTS: Of 163 participating patients, 151 patients (90.9%) completed both surveys (116 curative and 35 palliative patients). Before beginning RT, 88.6% of palliative and 72.3% of curative patients showed at least one clinically relevant symptom. Curative patients most frequently named decreased general wellbeing (38.6%), followed by tiredness (35.0%), anxiety (32.4%), depression (30.0%), pain (26.3%), lack of appetite (23.5%), dyspnea (17.8%), drowsiness (8.0%) and nausea (6.1%). Palliative patients most frequently named decreased general wellbeing (62.8%), followed by pain (62.8%), tiredness (60.0%), lack of appetite (40.0%), anxiety (38.0%), depression (33.3%), dyspnea (28.5%), drowsiness (25.7%) and nausea (14.2%). At the end of RT, the proportion of curative and palliative patients with a clinically relevant symptom had increased significantly to 79.8 and 91.4%, respectively; whereas the proportion of patients reporting clinically relevant pain had decreased significantly (42.8 vs. 62.8%, respectively). Palliative patients had significantly increased tiredness. Curative patients reported significant increases in pain, tiredness, nausea, drowsiness, lack of appetite and restrictions in general wellbeing. CONCLUSION: Assessment of patient-reported symptoms was successfully realized in radiation oncology routine. Overall, both groups showed a high symptom burden. The results prove the need of systematic symptom assessment and programs for early integrated supportive and palliative care in radiation oncology.
BACKGROUND: The benefits of patient-reported symptom assessment combined with integrated palliative care are well documented. This study assessed the symptom burden of palliative and curative-intent radiation oncology patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prior to first consultation and at the end of RT, all adult cancerpatients planned to receive fractionated percutaneous radiotherapy (RT) were asked to answer the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS; nine symptoms from 0 = no symptoms to 10 = worst possible symptoms). Mean values were used for curative vs. palliative and pre-post comparisons, and the clinical relevance was evaluated (symptom values ≥ 4). RESULTS: Of 163 participating patients, 151 patients (90.9%) completed both surveys (116 curative and 35 palliative patients). Before beginning RT, 88.6% of palliative and 72.3% of curative patients showed at least one clinically relevant symptom. Curative patients most frequently named decreased general wellbeing (38.6%), followed by tiredness (35.0%), anxiety (32.4%), depression (30.0%), pain (26.3%), lack of appetite (23.5%), dyspnea (17.8%), drowsiness (8.0%) and nausea (6.1%). Palliative patients most frequently named decreased general wellbeing (62.8%), followed by pain (62.8%), tiredness (60.0%), lack of appetite (40.0%), anxiety (38.0%), depression (33.3%), dyspnea (28.5%), drowsiness (25.7%) and nausea (14.2%). At the end of RT, the proportion of curative and palliative patients with a clinically relevant symptom had increased significantly to 79.8 and 91.4%, respectively; whereas the proportion of patients reporting clinically relevant pain had decreased significantly (42.8 vs. 62.8%, respectively). Palliative patients had significantly increased tiredness. Curative patients reported significant increases in pain, tiredness, nausea, drowsiness, lack of appetite and restrictions in general wellbeing. CONCLUSION: Assessment of patient-reported symptoms was successfully realized in radiation oncology routine. Overall, both groups showed a high symptom burden. The results prove the need of systematic symptom assessment and programs for early integrated supportive and palliative care in radiation oncology.
Entities:
Keywords:
Pain; Palliative care; Quality of life; Radiation oncology; Screening
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