Significant improvement in quality of life of patients with incurable cancer after designation to a palliative homecare team.
The aims of this study were to describe and compare quality of life before and after designation to a palliative homecare team in patients with different cancer diagnoses and to identify pre-designation predictors of post-designation global quality of life. We measured patients' quality of life 1 week before designation and 11 days (median time) after with the Assessment of Quality of life at the End of Life (Axelsson & Sjödén 1999). Of 163 eligible patients 63 participated without attrition. Patients' quality of life improved in the physical, psychological, medical and global areas. Six items significantly improved: hours recumbent during the day (P = 0.009), nausea (P = 0.008), anxiety (P = 0.007), getting hold of staff (P = 0.000), received care (P = 0.003) and global quality of life (P = 0.023). Depression/low in mood (r = 0.55) and meaningfulness (r = 0.70) associated to global quality of life. Furthermore, pain (P = 0.028) and meaningfulness (P = 0.028) predicted global quality of life. In the existential area, it is important to further explore how meaningfulness is associated to and predicts global quality of life.
Melin-Johansson
C
C
The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborgs University, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Göteborg, Sweden. titti.melin-johansson@miun.se
Axelsson
B
B
Gaston-Johansson
F
F
Danielson
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011788:Quality of Life; D013548:Sweden; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult