Does age matter in palliative care?
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether age has an impact on symptoms, problems and needs of hospitalized advanced cancer patients.


METHODS
A prospective analysis of 181 patients referred to a Palliative Care Team was done using a standardized list of symptoms, problems and needs. Differences between 3 age groups (<60; 60-70; > or =70) were analyzed.


RESULTS
Patients > or =70 years had a significantly different prevalence of depressed mood (48% versus 13% of patients 60-70 years and 24% of patients <60 years, p=0.002), urinary tract problems (20% versus 3% versus 8%, p=0.024) and drowsiness (18% versus 42% versus 25%, p=0.039). They expressed more problems with a shortage of informal caregivers (45% versus 42% versus 17%, p<0.001) and less need for support in coping (40% versus 61% versus 63%, p=0.043), relational support (3% versus 8% versus 14%, p=0.019) and support in communication (0% versus 8% versus 11%, p=0.013).


CONCLUSIONS
Fewer differences than expected were found. Elderly cancer patients admitted to a hospital have more or less the same symptoms, problems and needs as their younger counterparts. Despite these findings, age-specific assessment of symptoms, problems and needs ought to be part of optimal symptom management.
Teunissen
Saskia C
SC
Department of Medical Oncology F02.126, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. S.Teunissen@umcutrecht.nl
de Haes
Hanneke C
HC
Voest
Emile E
EE
de Graeff
Alexander
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*