Prognosis does not change the landscape: palliative home care clients experience high rates of pain and nausea, regardless of prognosis

• DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00851-x
• Publication Date: 2021-10-20T02:35:53Z
• Authors: Nicole Williams; Kirsten Hermans; Tara Stevens; John P. Hirdes; Anja Declercq; Joachim Cohen; Dawn M. Guthrie
• Keywords: Pain medicine

Abstract Background Most individuals who typically receive palliative care (PC) tend to have cancer and a relatively short prognosis (< 6 months). People with other life-limiting illnesses can also benefit from approach. However, little is known about those home in Ontario, Canada’s largest province. To address this gap, the goal of project was understand needs, symptoms potential differences between shorter months) longer (6+ for receiving PC community. Methods A cross-sectional analysis conducted using interRAI Palliative Care (interRAI PC) assessment data collected 2011 2018. Individuals months; n = 48,019 or 64.1%) were compared 26,945) across several clinical symptoms. The standardized difference (stdiff), proportions, calculated identify statistically meaningful prognosis. Values stdiff 0.2 higher (absolute value) indicated significant difference. Results Overall, most prevalent diagnosis (83.2%). Those significantly more likely experience fatigue (75.3% vs. 59.5%; 0.34) shortness breath at rest (22.1% 13.4%; 0.23). two groups similar terms severe pain (73.5% 66.5%; − 0.15), depressive (13.2% 10.7%; 0.08) nausea (35.7% 29.4%; 0.13). Conclusions These results highlight importance earlier identification could approach their as high rates such nausea. Providing illness trajectory has improve an individual’s overall quality life throughout duration illness.