Errors in symptom intensity self-assessment by patients receiving outpatient palliative care.
BACKGROUND
Patient-based symptom scores are the standard method for assessment in palliative care. There has been limited research on the frequency of errors upon using this approach. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) is a reliable and valid assessment tool routinely used for symptom intensity assessment in our cancer center.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if patients were scoring the symptoms on the ESAS in the way it was supposed to be scored.


METHODS
The study was carried out at the outpatient palliative care center.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 60 consecutive patient charts was done where the patient had initially scored the ESAS. The physician looked at this scoring on the ESAS and went back to the patient to do the scoring again to see if the patient had scored it in the way it was intended to be scored. The same physician did the assessment on all of the patients.


METHODS
Level of agreement (weighted kappa) before versus after the physician visit; Screening performance of patient completed ESAS for mild and moderate symptom intensity.


RESULTS
Complete agreement ranged from 58% (sleep) to 82% (well-being); the weighted kappa ranged from 0.49 (drowsiness) to 0.78 (well-being). There was more agreement for symptoms such as dyspnea, nausea, anxiety, and depression and less agreement for symptoms such as lack of sleep and lack of appetite. The screening performance of the initial patient self assessment showed less sensitivity for nausea, drowsiness if the intensity was mild and less sensitivity for pain, nausea, anxiety, and drowsiness if the intensity was moderate.


CONCLUSIONS
Vigilance needs to be maintained about the ESAS scores done by the patients particularly for symptoms of sleep, appetite, and pain. There is a likelihood of error if doctors or nurses do not routinely check the way patients have completed the assessment form. More research is needed to determine the best way to teach patients how to minimize errors in self-reporting of symptoms.
Garyali
Anil
A
Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA.
Palmer
J Lynn
JL
Yennurajalingam
Sriram
S
Zhang
Tao
T
Pace
Ellen A
EA
Bruera
Eduardo
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States