The physical and psychological symptoms experienced by patients with metastatic breast cancer before death

Fulton, Colette

doi:10.1046/j.1365-2354.1997.00057.x

Cited by 36 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(19 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Analyzing data in relation to death is an established approach in palliative care research, used in seminal studies such as the National Hospice Study (41), UK work on the effectiveness of palliative care teams (42), and other more recent work (43)(44)(45). It enables measurement of outcomes in relation to death and insight into the symptoms, concerns, and transitions that may precede or predict death.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trajectories of Illness in Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease

Murtagh

Sheerin

Addington‐Hall

et al. 2011

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology

104

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryBackground and objectives The illness trajectory in the last year of life in advanced (stage 5) chronic kidney disease is poorly understood. Mapping the trajectory of patient-centered outcomes could facilitate better care. The objectives of this study were to determine trajectories of symptoms and wider health-related concerns in the last year of life in stage 5 chronic kidney disease, managed without dialysis.Design, setting, participants, & measurements A longitudinal symptom survey in three UK renal units was used, using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form and core Palliative Care Outcome Scale. Average (using mean scores over time) and individual (using individual scores over time, with visual graphical analysis) trajectories were mapped.Results Seventy-four patients (mean age, 81 Ϯ 6.8 years) were recruited; 49 died during follow-up. Average trajectories showed moderate symptom distress and health-related concerns, with marked increase in the last 2 months of life. Visual graphical analysis enabled stable, increasing, or fluctuant individual trajectories to be identified. The proportion following these trajectories varied between outcome measures; regarding symptoms, 50% followed a stable pattern, 24% increased, and 21% fluctuated compared with 26%, 57%, and 21%, respectively, for health-related concerns. Inter-rater agreement in grouping trajectories was high ( statistic, 0.80 and 0.86, respectively). ConclusionsIn the 2 months before death, patients reported a sharp increase in symptom distress and health-related concerns. Health care should anticipate and address this increase, which may indicate the patients is approaching death. Considerable individual variation and flexibility/responsiveness of care is important: one size of service does not fit all.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trajectories of Illness in Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease

Murtagh

Sheerin

Addington‐Hall

et al. 2011

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology

104

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Around a quarter of all breast cancer patients have comorbid depression: estimation between 20 and 30% in earlier breast cancer [13] with increased rates during advanced and palliative stage (more than 50%) [14]. Table 1 summarizes the main studies assessing the prevalence of depressive disorders among early and late breast cancer stage.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Mood Disorders In Breast Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression, quality of life and breast cancer: a review of the literature

Reich

Lesur

Perdrizet-Chevallier³

2007

Breast Cancer Res Treat

394

200

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Depression is misdiagnosed and undertreated among breast cancer population. Risk factors for depression in the 5 years after diagnosis are related more to the patient rather than to the disease or its treatment. The breast cancer stage (early and advanced) is not statistically significant in terms of rates of psychosocial distress except for recurrence. Risk factors of depression might impair quality of life such as fatigue, past history or recent episode of depression after the onset of cancer, cognitive attitudes of helplessness/hopelessness, resignation. Body image impairment from mastectomy and sexuality aftermath generates higher rates of mood disorders. The link between increased risk of breast cancer and depression is controversial among the literature. Some studies suggest a protective factor, others find a relation between stress, immunity and cancer occurrence or even mortality. Breast cancer survivors report a higher prevalence of mild to moderate depression with a lower quality of life in all areas except for family functioning. Treatment of depression in breast cancer women improves their quality of life and may increase longevity. Antidepressant medications remain the cornerstone of depression treatment. The hypothetical link between their prescription and increased breast cancer risk is not supported by literature's data.

show abstract

“…Therefore, it is no surprise that having such a bad prognosis is associated with considerable psychological distress, including depression. The prevalence of depression is particularly elevated in patients with advanced cancer (e.g., Bukberg, Penman, & Holland, 1984;Chochinov, Wilson, Enns, & Lander, 1994;Hopwood, Howell, & Maguire, 1991;Kathol, Mutgi, Williams, Clamon, & Noyes, 1990;Plumb & Holland, 1977 and increases as death approaches (e.g., Fulton, 1997;Pinder et al, 1993). Depression can significantly impair quality of life, treatment compliance, and life satisfaction (Valente, Saunders, & Cohen, 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%