End-of-Life Trajectories of Patients With Hematological Malignancies and Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors Visiting the Emergency Department: The Need for a Proactive Integrated Care Approach. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verhoef, Mary-Joanne; de Nijs, Ellen J. M.; Ootjers, Claudia S.; Fiocco, Marta; Fogteloo, Anne J.; Heringhaus, Christian; Marijnen, Corrie A. M.; Horeweg, Nanda; der Linden, Yvette M. van
• Is Part Of: American journal of hospice & palliative care. Volume 37:Number 9(2020)
• Page Start: 692
• Page End: 700
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: hematological malignancy -- cancer -- palliative care -- supportive care -- end-of-life care -- emergency department; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; 362.175
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909119896533
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-9091

Abstract

Purpose: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) have more unpredictable disease trajectories compared to patients with advanced solid tumors (STs) and miss opportunities for a palliative care approach. They often undergo intensive disease-directed treatments until the end of life with frequent emergency department (ED) visits and in-hospital deaths. Insight into end-of-life trajectories and quality of end-of-life care can support arranging appropriate care according to patients' wishes. Method: Mortality follow-back study to compare of end-of-life trajectories of HM and ST patients who died <3 months after their ED visit. Five indicators based on Earle et al. for quality of end-of-life care were assessed: intensive anticancer treatment <3 months, ED visits <6 months, in-hospital death, death in the intensive care unit (ICU), and in-hospice death. Results: We included 78 HM patients and 420 ST patients, with a median age of 63 years; 35% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 3-4. At the ED, common symptoms were dyspnea (22%), pain (18%), and fever (11%). After ED visit, 91% of HM patients versus 76% of ST patients were hospitalized ( P = .001). Median survival was 17 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15-19): 15 days in HM patients (95% CI: 10-20) versus 18 days in ST patients (95% CI: 15-21), P = .028. Compared to ST patients, HM patients more often died in hospital (68% vs 30%, P < .0001) and in the ICU or ED (30% vs 3%, P < .0001). Conclusion: Because end-of-life care is more aggressive in HM patients compared to ST patients, a proactive integrated care approach with early start of palliative care alongside curative care is warranted. Timely discussions with patients and family about advance care planning and end-of-life choices can avoid inappropriate care at the end of life.