• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 1999

Purpose : Surveying the rates, severity, and variables influencing depression and their correlation between pain and depression in Korean cancer patients, we attempted to provide a basic database for the effective depression management program. Methods : The results of survey were colleted from 10 patients who were hospitalized at Seoul National University Hospital for cancer treatment from February to June of 1999. Factors of depression and the level of pain were examined by self-reported survey employing Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and an abridged version of Brief pain Inventory respectively. The purpose of this study and guidelines for the questionnaires were clearly explained to participating patients by Resgitered Nurses before answering the survey. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were compiled by reviewing their medical records in corporation with a family physician. The difference in the level of depression among patient groups was analyzed with the t-test and ANOVA, and the correlation between variables with Pearson correlation coefficient. Results : 1) 142 subjects comprised 79 male and 63 female, and their mean age was 51.86. 2) The mean scores of the worst pain for last 24-hours was 6.08(SD 2.23), the average pain for last 24-hours 4.44(SD 1.85), and the mean scores of pain at the time of survey 3.48(SD 2.25), while the mean scores of the least pain for last 24-hours 2.25(SD 1.83). 3) The mean BDI scores were 23.73(SD 0.99), and 55.6% of patients were evaluated to be in depression(cutting point 21). Scores of depression for cancer patients were higher than normal population. 4) The correlation between worst pain for last 24-hours and depression(r=0.252, P=0.002), average pain for last 24-hours and depression(r=0.225, P=0.007), present pain and depression(r=0.291, P=0.000) were significant. 5) Significant differences were found among groups of cancer patients with pain with respect to gender(t=3.59, p=0.000), level of education(F=4.063, P=0.009), ECOG(F=3.352, P=0.021). There was significant positive correlation between depression and pain(r=0.171, P=0.042). Conclusions : More than 50% of cancer patients with pain are suffering from depression. We have shown that the variables like the degree of pain, gender, level of education, ECOG, and age are significantly related to the depression in cancer patients. The findings of this study may be used for assessing high-risk patients in need of intervention and for planning effective therapeutic strategies for them after the routine assessment. Further study is necessary to investigate the cultural differences and the variables influencing on depression in Korean cancer patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2018

Purpose: End-of-life (EoL) decisions are challenging and multifaceted for patients and physicians. This study was aimed to explore how EoL care is practiced for patients with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients who died after agreeing to a DNR order in 2016 at a university hospital. Characteristics including cause of death, intensity of EoL care, and other factors were reviewed and statistically analyzed. Results: Of total 375 patients, 170 patients (45.3%) died with malignancies, and 205 patients (54.6%) with other causes involving the central nervous system (19.2%), pulmonary (14.7%), cardiologic (6.7%) and infectious (6.4%) conditions. Both the cancer and non-cancer patient groups showed a short duration from DNR to death (median 3 days vs 2 days, P=0.629). An intensive care group comprising patients who received one or more intensive treatments such as ventilator (n=205) showed a higher number of non-cancer patients and a shorter duration from DNR to death than a group that withheld treatment before DNR (P<0.05). Conclusion: EoL decisions were made very late by both cancer and non-cancer patients. About half of the patients did not have cancer, and two-thirds of them decided DNR during intensive treatment. To make a good EoL decision, a shared decision making with patients should be done at an earlier stage.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 1998

Background : Hepatocellular carcinomoma is the 3rd most common malignancy and the 2nd most common cause of death in Korea. The prediction of life-expectancy in terminal cancer patients is a major problem for patients, families, and physicians. We would like to investigate the prognostic factors of hepatocellular carcinoma, and therefore contribute to the prediction of the survival time of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods : A total of 91 patients(male 73, female 18) with hepatocellular carcinoma who were admitted to the hospital between January and lune 1995 were entered into the study, and data were collected prospectively on 28 clinical parameters through medical obligation record. We surveyed an obligation and local district office records, and confirmed the surivival of patients till July, 1996. Using Cox-proportional hazard model, give the significant variables related to survival. These determined prognostic factors. Life regressional analysis was used, there were calculated predicted survival day based on combinations of the significant prognostic factors. Results : 1) Out of 91 patients, 73 were male, and 18 were female. The mean age was $56.7{\pm}10.6$ ears. During the study, except for 16 patients who could not follow up, out of 75 patients, the number of deaths was 57(76%) and the number of survivals was 18(24%). 2) Out of the 28 clinical parameters, the prognostic factors related to reduced survival rate were prothrombin time<40%(relative risk:10.8), weight loss(RR:4.4), past history of hypertension (RR:3.2), ascites(RR:2.8), hypocalcemia(RR:2.5)(P<0.001). 3) Out of five factors, the survival day is 1.7 in all of five, $4.2{\sim}10.0$ in four, $10.4{\sim}41.9$ in three, $29.5{\sim}118.1$ in two, $124.0{\sim}296.6$ in one, 724.0 in none. Conclusion : In hepatocellular carcinoma we found that the prognostic factors related to reduce survival rate were prolonged prothrombin time(<40%), weight loss, past history of hypertension, ascites, and hypocalcemia(<8.7mg/dl). The five prognostic factors enabled the prediction of life-expectancy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and may assist in managing patients with hepatocellular carcinomal.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2005

Purpose: Despite the advance of medical science, the number of cancer patient have increased and the mortality rate is also on the rise. Therefore, a perfect cure for cancer is crucial, but the value and meaning of the remaining life for the patient are also becoming more and more important. The principal aim of this study is to examine the differences in the quality of life, physical and psychosocial symptoms according to the performance status of terminal cancer patients. Methods: We evaluated the performance status, demographical data, blood analysis and quality of life of cancer patients who visited the Department of family Medicine at Myoung-ji Hospital in Korea between September 1, 2003 and August 31, 2005. Their performance status (ECOG) was divided into two groups ($ECOG\;0{\sim}1/ECOG\;2{\sim}4$) and analyzed by ANOVA to see if there was a difference in their blood analysis and quality of life. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: A total of 104 patients were evaluated, among which 71 patients (23 male and 48 female) scored $0{\sim}1$, and 33 patients (8 males and 25 females) scored $2{\sim}4$ in the ECOG. The blood analysis showed that patients whose performance status was $2{\sim}4$ had lower levels of lymphocytes, hemoglobin, protein, albumin and sodium. The evaluation on their quality of life showed that the overall health status of patients with $2{\sim}3$ functional ability were poor (P=0.02). Also, from a functional perspective, these patients had poor physical (P=0.05) and role (P=0.01) scores, and in terms of symptoms, they showed a significant loss of appetite. Conclusion: If a patient's performance status was poor, levels related to certain nutritions were also found to fall in blood tests, thereby leading to an overall weakened state of health. However, there was no difference in symptoms except for a loss of appetite. In conclusion, it is most important to increase the appetite in patients with poor performance status.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2014

Purpose: Serum vitamin C is one of the indicators for antioxidant levels in the body and it is lower in cancer patients compared with the healthy population. However, there have been few studies on the levels of serum vitamin C in terminally ill cancer patients and related factors. Methods: We followed 65 terminal cancer patients who were hospitalized in two palliative care units. We collected data of age, sex, cancer type, functional status, clinical symptoms, history of cancer therapy, and various laboratory findings including serum vitamin C level. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the quartile of serum vitamin C level (Q1-3 vs. Q4), which were compared each other. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to serum vitamin C levels. Results: The mean serum vitamin C level was $0.44{\mu}g/mL$, and all patients fell into the category of vitamin C deficiency. Univariate analysis showed that The serum vitamin C level was lower in non-lung cancer patients (P=0.041) and febrile patients (P=0.034). Multivariate analysis adjusted for potential confounders such as lung cancer, fever, dysphagia, dyspnea, C reactive protein, and history of chemotherapy demonstrated that odds for low serum vitamin C level was 3.7 for patients receiving chemotherapy (P=0.046) and 7.22 for febrile patients (P=0.02). Conclusion: Vitamin C deficiency was very severe in terminally ill cancer patients, and it was associated with history of chemotherapy and fever.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.58-72
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceived burden of the terminally III patients's caregiver and to analyze relationship between the perceived burden and the various demographics, illness characteristics, family relationships, and economic factor of the family & patients. The sample of 132 caregivers who care for the terminally III patients Kyung-Gi province, Seoul, Korea. The period of this study was from August to September, 2002. The perceived burden of the family caregiver was measured by the burden scale(20 items, 4 point scale) developed by Montgomery et al. (1985). The Data was analyzed using SAS-program by t-test and ANOVA. The results were as follows; 1. The mean of the family caregiver's burden score was 3.02. The score showed that caregivers perceive severe the level of burden. The hight items of the family caregiver's burden were' I feel it is painful to watch patient's diseases'(3.77). 'I feel afraid for what the future holds for my patients'(3.66), 'I feel it reduced to amount of privacy time'(3.64). 2. The caregiver's burden was significantly related to patient's gender(F=3.17, p= 0.0020), patient's job(F=2.49, p=0.0476), caregiver's age(F=4.29, p=0.0030), and caregiver's job(F=2.49, p=0.0476). 3. The caregiver's burden according to illness characteristics showed no significant difference. 4. The caregiver's burden was significantly associated with patient's family relationship (F=4.05, p=0.0041), patient's care mean period in a day(F=47.18,

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.214-220
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• 2004

Purpose: As for the malignant bowel obstruction of terminal cancer patient, a prognosis is relatively bad. Physicians consider palliative procedures or surgery for the quality of life, but sometimes it is hard to decide. After diagnosis of a malignant bowel obstruction in terminal cancer patients, we investigated the clinical characteristics, the prognostic factors and the survival of patients with palliative procedures or surgery. Methods: we retrospectively reviewed the medical records in 40 malignant bowel obstruction patients who had been diagnosed as terminal cancer from May in 2002 to May in 2004. Results: There were 21 males (53%) and 19 females (47%), and median age of patients was $64.1{\pm}1.58$ years. The most common cause of malignant bowel obstruction was colorectal cancer (18 patients, 45%), followed by stomach cancer (11, 28%), pancreatic cancer (4, 10%), others (7, 19%). Metastases were carcinomatosis peritonei (14 patients, 35%), liver (13, 33%). During a bowel obstruction, symptoms were vomiting (15 patients, 38%), abdominal pain (10, 25%), constipation (6, 15%), abdominal distension (5, 13%). Performance status (ECOG) was 2 score (16 patients, 40%), 3 score (20, 50%), 4 score (4, 10%). Palliative procedure group were 30 patients, the others 10. Median survival in palliative procedure group was 142 days, that of no palliation group 30. Median survival time of palliative procedure group from palliative procedures or surgery were significantly higher than that of no palliation group from diagnosis of malignant bowel obstruction. Prognostic factors of palliative procedure group were PS, site of obstruction and primary cancer. Median survival in PS 2, lower GI obstruction and colorectal cancer was higher than PS 3, upper GI obstruction and others, respectively. Conclusion: we recommend aggressively palliative procedures or surgery in malignant bowel obstruction patients diagnosed with terminal cancer if palliative procedures or surgery could be performed effectively.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2016

Delirium is a common symptom in patients with terminal cancer. The prevalence increases in the dying phase. Delirium causes negative effects on quality of life for both patients and their families, and is associated with higher mortality. However, some studies reported that it tends to remain unrecognized in palliative care setting. That may be related with difficulties to distinguish the symptom from others with overlapping characteristics such as depression and dementia, and a lack of knowledge regarding assessment and diagnostic tools. We suggest that accurate recognition with validated tools and early diagnosis of the symptom should be highly prioritized in delirium management in palliative care setting. After diagnosing delirium, it is important to identify and address reversible precipitants such as medication, dehydration, and infection. Non-pharmacological interventions including comfortable environment for the patient and family education are also essential in the management strategy. If such interventions prove ineffective or insufficient to control hyperactive symptoms, pharmacologic interventions with antipsychotics and benzodiazepine can be considered. Until now, low levels of haloperidol remains the standard treatment despite a lack of evidence. Atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone reportedly have similar efficacy with a stronger sedating property and less adverse effect compared to haloperidol. Currently, delirium medications that can be used in palliative care setting require more clinical trials, and thus, clinical guidelines are not sufficiently available. We suggest that it is warranted to develop clinical guidelines based on well-designed clinical studies for palliative care patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.252-256
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• 2010

Breathlessness is a frequent and distressing symptom in terminal cancer patients. Refractory breathlessness is defined as a state that does not respond to conventional disease-specific therapy with an exclusion of reversible underlying causes, and the main classes of symptomatic drug treatments include opioids and benzodiazepines. Korean Family Medicine Palliative Medicine Research Group discussed two terminal cancer patients in whom severe breathlessness with different causes were treated with inhalation of nebulized furosemide, which is an emerging option of palliative treatment. It still remains unclear how it becomes effective or how much it is effective, therefore, its routine use seems to be somewhat early. Nevertherless, if a patient with intractable breathlessness does not have a marked obstructive airway lesion, its use should be considered. Based on the discussion in the seminar, we want to share our experience of the application of inhaled furosemide with other palliative care practitioners and strongly recommend further research on this topic in the future.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2008

Objectives: This study aimed to find out the effects of hospice care in public health centers by evaluating the quality of life of terminal cancer patients and care-giver burden of their families.Methods: From January to December 2007, 32 terminal cancer patients and their familes were selected as with interviews. Instruments used for this study were C-QOL(Cancer-Quality of Life) that was developed by Le(207) and care-giver burden of families that was developed by Seo et al(193). The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and paired t-test.