Pre‐screening of patient‐reported symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System in outpatient palliative cancer care. (5th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Garden; Kim, Han Sang; Lee, Si Won; Park, Yu Rang; Kim, Eun Hwa; Lee, Bori; Hu, Youn Jung; Kim, Kyung‐A; Kim, DooA; Cho, Ho Yeon; Kang, Beodeul; Choi, Hye Jin
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer care. Volume 29:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-10-05
• Subjects: Edmonton Symptom Assessment System -- ESAS -- palliative cancer care -- patient‐reported outcome -- pre‐screening tool -- PRO; Cancer -- Nursing -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-5423

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Although early palliative care is associated with a better quality of life and improved outcomes in end‐of‐life cancer care, the criteria of palliative care referral are still elusive. Methods: We collected patient‐reported symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) at the baseline, first and second follow‐up visits. A total of 71 patients were evaluable, with a median age of 65 years, male (62%) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status distribution of 1/2/3 (28%/39%/33%) respectively. Results: Twenty (28%) patients had moderate/severe symptom burden with the mean ESAS ≥ 5. Interestingly, most of the patients with moderate/severe symptom burdens (ESAS ≥ 5) had globally elevated symptom expression. While the mean ESAS score was maintained in patients with mild symptom burden (ESAS < 5; 2.7 at the baseline; 3.4 at the first follow‐up; 3.0 at the second follow‐up; p = .117), there was significant symptom improvement in patients with moderate/severe symptom burden (ESAS ≥ 5; 6.5 at the baseline; 4.5 at the first follow‐up; 3.6 at the second follow‐up; p < .001). Conclusions: In conclusion, advanced cancer patients with ESAS ≥ 5 may benefit from outpatient palliative cancer care. Pre‐screening of patient‐reported symptoms using ESAS can be useful for identifying unmet palliative care needs in advanced cancer patients.