Our objective in this study was to summarize the relevant knowledge on depression in palliative care and to provide a framework for clinical, scientific and educational efforts at improving its management. The Research Steering Committee (RSC) of the European Association of Palliative Care (EAPC) established an Expert Working Group (EWG) to address the issue of depression in palliative care. Each invited expert was allocated a specific topic and was asked to review the literature. These reviews were presented during the Sixth Congress of the EAPC in 1999 and then discussed in a closed meeting with members of the RSC. Based on these reviews, and the discussions that followed their presentation, a first draft of the paper was produced and circulated among the invited experts and members of the RSC who had been present at the meetings. After some debate the manuscript was revised, and a second draft was circulated, this time also to RSC members who had not attended the meetings. All persons consulted have agreed on this final version of the report. The EWG concluded that the current level of evidence did not lend itself to the development of clinical guidelines and decided to publish the results of their work as a pragmatic report. The report is divided into four sections, focusing on detection, training and nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatment of depression in palliative care. For each of these sections, general considerations are addressed on the basis of the literature review and of clinical experience and a short description of unresolved issues and recommendations is provided. Underdetection and undertreatment of depression is a serious problem in palliative care. Training of the nonpsychiatric staff should therefore have the highest priority. A proactive, flexible and comprehensive strategy embracing clinical, scientific, and educational aspects is advocated.

BackgroundDyspnoea is a disabling symptom in patients admitted with heart failure (HF) and respiratory diseases (RD). The main aim of this study is to evaluate its intensity at admission and discharge and the relation with quality of life. We also describe its management, intensity, and evolution in HF and RD.MethodsIn this descriptive, cross-sectional study, we included prospectively all patients admitted with decompensated HF and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/pulmonary fibrosis during 4 months. Surveys quantifying dyspnoea (Numerical Rating Scale 1-10) and quality of life (EuroQoL 5d) were administered at discharge.ResultsA total of 258 patients were included: 190 (73.6%) with HF and 68 (26.4%) with RD (62 COPD and 6 pulmonary fibrosis). Mean age was 74.0±1.2 years, and 157 (60.6%) were men. Dyspnoea before admission was 7.5±0.1. Patients with RD showed greater dyspnoea than those with HF both before admission (8.1±0.2 vs. 7.3±0.2, p=0.01) and at discharge (3.2±0.3 vs. 2.0±0.2, p=0.0001). They also presented a higher rate of severe dyspnoea (≥5) at discharge (23 [34.3%] vs. 36 [19.1%], p=0.02). Opioids were used in 41 (15.9%), mean dose 8.7±0.8 mg Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose. HF patients had worse EuroQoL 5d scores than those with RD, due to mobility problems (118 [62.1%] vs. 28 [41.8%], p=0.004), and lower punctuation in Visual Analogue Scale (57.9±1.6 vs. 65.6±1.0, p=0.006).ConclusionsAbout a quarter of patients admitted with HF or RD persist with severe dyspnoea at discharge. Opioids are probably underused. HF patients have less dyspnoea than patients with RD but present worse quality of life.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12904-017-0208-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Recent data indicate that there are large disparities in the use of opioid analgesics to control breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in Europe and worldwide. While it is clear that affordability is a key factor, it is certainly not the only one, and other factors, such as cultural differences and overall awareness, are undoubtedly responsible. More work remains to be done to overcome barriers in the use of these medications when warranted. When prescribing a medication for BTcP, it must be considered that its time profile is different from chronic persistent pain. The best control of background pain can best be achieved with a low dose of an extended opioid, and managing BTcP with a rapid-onset opioid, providing a good combination of overall pain control and lower opioid exposure. Notwithstanding their efficacy, greater attention needs to be paid to inappropriate use of opioids. It is important to evaluate patients for potential opioid misuse, including assessment of risk factors, and aberrant drug-taking behaviours must be investigated. In our institution, several measures have been adopted in this patient population in order to prevent aberrant opioid-induced behaviours. The adoption of some or all of these principles, depending on the individual patient and treatment setting, can undoubtedly help to reduce the risk of developing an aberrant behaviour related to opioid use as rescue medication for BTcP.

The Spanish palliative care movement has shifted its focus from starting new programs to consolidating and expanding the training of the professionals already working in the existing programs. Although there is a general consensus that a new philosophy of care is needed, the interpretation and application of this general philosophy are different in diverse sociocultural contexts.