Integration of palliative care in end-stage liver disease and liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) have a life-limiting illness that causes multiple distressing symptoms and negatively affects quality of life (QOL). This population traditionally has not had much attention within the palliative care community.


CONCLUSIONS
This article provides an evidence-based review of palliative care issues that patients with ESLD and those awaiting liver transplant face, including approaches to prognosis, symptom management, advance care planning, and end-of-life care.


CONCLUSIONS
Tremendous opportunity exists to integrate palliative medicine into the care of these patients.
1 Department of Hematology/Oncology, Providence Regional Cancer Center , Lacey, Washington.
Jamie
J
Potosek
Michael
M
Curry
Mary
M
Buss
Eva
E
Chittenden
D016223:Advance Directives; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000379:methods*; D058625:End Stage Liver Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D013727:Terminal Care