scholarly journals Association between palliative care and healthcare outcomes among adults with terminal non-cancer illness: population based matched cohort study

BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m2257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran L Quinn ◽  
Therese Stukel ◽  
Nathan M Stall ◽  
Anjie Huang ◽  
Sarina Isenberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To measure the associations between newly initiated palliative care in the last six months of life, healthcare use, and location of death in adults dying from non-cancer illness, and to compare these associations with those in adults who die from cancer at a population level. Design Population based matched cohort study. Setting Ontario, Canada between 2010 and 2015. Participants 113 540 adults dying from cancer and non-cancer illness who were given newly initiated physician delivered palliative care in the last six months of life administered across all healthcare settings. Linked health administrative data were used to directly match patients on cause of death, hospital frailty risk score, presence of metastatic cancer, residential location (according to 1 of 14 local health integration networks that organise all healthcare services in Ontario), and a propensity score to receive palliative care that was derived by using age and sex. Main outcome measures Rates of emergency department visits, admissions to hospital, and admissions to the intensive care unit, and odds of death at home versus in hospital after first palliative care visit, adjusted for patient characteristics (such as age, sex, and comorbidities). Results In patients dying from non-cancer illness related to chronic organ failure (such as heart failure, cirrhosis, and stroke), palliative care was associated with reduced rates of emergency department visits (crude rate 1.9 (standard deviation 6.2) v 2.9 (8.7) per person year; adjusted rate ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 0.91), admissions to hospital (crude rate 6.1 (standard deviation 10.2) v 8.7 (12.6) per person year; adjusted rate ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.86 to 0.91), and admissions to the intensive care unit (crude rate 1.4 (standard deviation 5.9) v 2.9 (8.7) per person year; adjusted rate ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.56 to 0.62) compared with those who did not receive palliative care. Additionally increased odds of dying at home or in a nursing home compared with dying in hospital were found in these patients (n=6936 (49.5%) v n=9526 (39.6%); adjusted odds ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.60 to 1.74). Overall, in patients dying from dementia, palliative care was associated with increased rates of emergency department visits (crude rate 1.2 (standard deviation 4.9) v 1.3 (5.5) per person year; adjusted rate ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.12) and admissions to hospital (crude rate 3.6 (standard deviation 8.2) v 2.8 (7.8) per person year; adjusted rate ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval 1.27 to 1.39), and reduced odds of dying at home or in a nursing home (n=6667 (72.1%) v n=13 384 (83.5%); adjusted odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.64 to 0.73). However, these rates differed depending on whether patients dying with dementia lived in the community or in a nursing home. No association was found between healthcare use and palliative care for patients dying from dementia who lived in the community, and these patients had increased odds of dying at home. Conclusions These findings highlight the potential benefits of palliative care in some non-cancer illnesses. Increasing access to palliative care through sustained investment in physician training and current models of collaborative palliative care could improve end-of-life care, which might have important implications for health policy.

BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsty Roberts ◽  
John Macleod ◽  
Chris Metcalfe ◽  
Will Hollingworth ◽  
Jack Williams ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a complex intervention in primary care that aims to increase uptake of hepatitis C virus (HCV) case finding and treatment.DesignPragmatic, two armed, practice level, cluster randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation.Setting and participants45 general practices in South West England (22 randomised to intervention and 23 to control arm). Outcome data were collected from all intervention practices and 21/23 control practices. Total number of flagged patients was 24 473 (about 5% of practice list).InterventionElectronic algorithm and flag on practice systems identifying patients with HCV risk markers (such as history of opioid dependence or HCV tests with no evidence of referral to hepatology), staff educational training in HCV, and practice posters/leaflets to increase patients’ awareness. Flagged patients were invited by letter for an HCV test (with one follow-up) and had on-screen pop-ups to encourage opportunistic testing. The intervention lasted one year, with practices recruited April to December 2016.Main outcome measuresPrimary outcome: uptake of HCV testing. Secondary outcomes: number of positive HCV tests and yield (proportion HCV positive); HCV treatment assessment at hepatology; cost effectiveness.ResultsBaseline HCV testing of flagged patients (six months before study start) was 608/13 097 (4.6%) in intervention practices and 380/11 376 (3.3%) in control practices. During the study 2071 (16%) of flagged patients in the intervention practices and 1163 (10%) in control practices were tested for HCV: overall intervention effect as an adjusted rate ratio of 1.59 (95% confidence interval 1.21 to 2.08; P<0.001). HCV antibodies were detected in 129 patients from intervention practices and 51 patients from control practices (adjusted rate ratio 2.24, 1.47 to 3.42) with weak evidence of an increase in yield (6.2% v 4.4%; adjusted risk ratio 1.40, 0.99 to 1.95). Referral and assessment increased in intervention practices compared with control practices (adjusted rate ratio 5.78, 1.6 to 21.6) with a risk difference of 1.3 per 1000 and a “number needed to help” of one extra HCV diagnosis, referral, and assessment per 792 (95% confidence interval 558 to 1883) patients flagged. The average cost of HCV case finding was £4.03 (95% confidence interval £2.27 to £5.80) per at risk patient and £3165 per additional patient assessed at hepatology. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio was £6212 per quality adjusted life year (QALY), with 92.5% probability of being below £20 000 per QALY.ConclusionHepCATT had a modest impact but is a low cost intervention that merits optimisation and implementation as part of an NHS strategy to increase HCV testing and treatment.Trial registrationISRCTN61788850.


Author(s):  
Po-Kai Yang ◽  
Chien-Chou Su ◽  
Chih-Hsin Hsu

AbstractIn Taiwan, the outcomes of acute limb ischemia have yet to be investigated in a standardized manner. In this study, we compared the safety, feasibility and outcomes of acute limb ischemia after surgical embolectomy or catheter-directed therapy in Taiwan. This study used data collected from the Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Database (NHID) and Cause of Death Data between the years 2000 and 2015. The rate ratio of all-cause in-hospital mortality and risk of amputation during the same period of hospital stay were estimated using Generalized linear models (GLM). There was no significant difference in mortality risk between CDT and surgical intervention (9.5% vs. 10.68%, adjusted rate ratio (95% CI): regression 1.0 [0.79–1.27], PS matching 0.92 [0.69–1.23]). The risk of amputation was also comparable between the two groups. (13.59% vs. 14.81%, adjusted rate ratio (95% CI): regression 0.84 [0.68–1.02], PS matching 0.92 [0.72–1.17]). Age (p < 0.001) and liver disease (p = 0.01) were associated with higher mortality risks. Heart failure (p = 0.03) and chronic or end-stage renal disease (p = 0.03) were associated with higher amputation risks. Prior antithrombotic agent use (p = 0.03) was associated with a reduced risk of amputation. Both surgical intervention and CDT are effective and feasible procedures for patients with ALI in Taiwan.


2008 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. PCRT.S1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Matzo ◽  
Kamal Hijjazi

Objective This study sought to document Oklahomans knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding palliative care; this paper focuses on subjects stated preferences for where they would choose to die. Design Quantitative study used a random state-wide telephone sample of Oklahoma residents. Subjects Data from 804 residents in the State of Oklahoma between November and December (2005). Results An overwhelming majority of the respondents (80%) reported preference to die at home in the event that they suffer a terminal illness. The proportion of respondents under the age of 65 who preferred to die at home (80.9%) was slightly higher than those aged 65 and over (74.8%). Also, while 81.4% of the female respondents reported preference for dying at home, 75.8% of the male respondents shared such preference (P < 0.05). More married respondents (82.7%) than non-married respondents (74.7%) reported preference for dying at home (P < 0.01). A significant association (P < 0.05) between income level and preference for dying at home was noted. While 84.3% of those with income level at $21,000 or more reported reference for dying at home, 76.4% of those with income below $21,000 reported the same preference. Conclusions This paper offers insight into factors that influence Oklahoman's stated preferences for site of death that can assist the statewide agenda in the planning and provision of palliative care. This information can be adapted in other states or countries to determine palliative care needs.


Author(s):  
Nita Arisanti ◽  
Dany Hilmanto ◽  
Elsa Pudji Setiawati ◽  
Veranita Pandia

.................... The access to palliative care in ends of life is one of the patients’ rights. Therefore it should be delivered into every level of health care for patients and family members. In some countries, palliative care is more frequent delivered in hospitals compare to primary health care, even though primary health care has a significant role in providing palliative care. Most families prefer to care for patients at home rather than in the hospital................................... The implementation of palliative care in Indonesia is still very limited to certain hospitals, even though doctors in primary care have great potential to offer such care to people in the community. Some of the factors contributing to the implementation are cultural and socioeconomic factors, patient and family perceptions, attitudes of service providers, lack of trained personnel, distribution of palliative care units, lack of consolidation and limited funds. As a result, patients with end-stage disease die in hospitals without receiving palliative care or dying at home with inadequate support................


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 527-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Ofori-Asenso ◽  
Jenni Ilomaki ◽  
Mark Tacey ◽  
Andrea J. Curtis ◽  
Ella Zomer ◽  
...  

Objective: To examine the patterns of statin use and determine the 3-year adherence and discontinuation rates among a cohort of Australians aged ≥65 years with dementia. Methods: The yearly prevalence and incidence of statin use were compared via Poisson regression modeling using 2007 as the reference year. People with dementia were identified according to dispensing of antidementia medications. A cohort of 589 new statin users was followed longitudinally. Adherence was estimated via the proportion of days covered (PDC). Discontinuation was defined as ≥90 days without statin coverage. Results: The annual prevalence of statin use among older Australians with dementia increased from 20.6% in 2007 to 31.7% in 2016 (aged-sex adjusted rate ratio: 1.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.35-1.69). Among the new users, the proportion adherent (PDC ≥ 0.80) decreased from 60.3% at 6 months to 31.0% at 3 years. During the 3-year follow-up, 58.7% discontinued their statin. Conclusions: Despite increased use of statins among older Australians with dementia, adherence is low and discontinuation is high, which may point to intentional cessation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miharu Nakanishi ◽  
Asao Ogawa ◽  
Atsushi Nishida

Background: Avoiding inappropriate care transition and enabling people with chronic diseases to die at home have become important health policy issues. Availability of palliative home care services may be related to dying at home. Aim: After controlling for the presence of hospital beds and primary care physicians, we examined the association between availability of home palliative care services and dying at home in conditions requiring such services. Design: Death certificate data in Japan in 2016 were linked with regional healthcare statistics. Setting/participants: All adults (18 years or older) who died from conditions needing palliative care in 2016 in Japan were included. Results: There were 922,756 persons included for analysis. Malignant neoplasm (37.4%) accounted for most decedents, followed by heart disease including cerebrovascular disease (31.4%), respiratory disease (14.7%) and dementia/Alzheimer’s disease/senility (11.5%). Of decedents, 20.8% died at home or in a nursing home and 79.2% died outside home (hospital/geriatric intermediate care facility). Death at home was more likely in health regions with fewer hospital beds and more primary care physicians, in total and per condition needing palliative care. Number of home palliative care services was negatively associated with death at home. The adjustment for home palliative care services disappeared in heart disease including cerebrovascular disease and reversed in respiratory disease. Conclusion: Specialised home palliative care services may be suboptimal, and primary care services may serve as a key access point in providing baseline palliative care to people with conditions needing palliative care. Therefore, primary care services should aim to enhance their palliative care workforce.


BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Nevriana ◽  
Matthias Pierce ◽  
Christina Dalman ◽  
Susanne Wicks ◽  
Marie Hasselberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To determine the association between parental mental illness and the risk of injuries among offspring. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Swedish population based registers. Participants 1 542 000 children born in 1996-2011 linked to 893 334 mothers and 873 935 fathers. Exposures Maternal or paternal mental illness (non-affective psychosis, affective psychosis, alcohol or drug misuse, mood disorders, anxiety and stress related disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders) identified through linkage to inpatient or outpatient healthcare registers. Main outcome measures Risk of injuries (transport injury, fall, burn, drowning and suffocation, poisoning, violence) at ages 0-1, 2-5, 6-9, 10-12, and 13-17 years, comparing children of parents with mental illness and children of parents without mental illness, calculated as the rate difference and rate ratio adjusted for confounders. Results Children with parental mental illness contributed to 201 670.5 person years of follow-up, while children without parental mental illness contributed to 2 434 161.5 person years. Children of parents with mental illness had higher rates of injuries than children of parents without mental illness (for any injury at age 0-1, these children had an additional 2088 injuries per 100 000 person years; number of injuries for children with and without parental mental illness was 10 235 and 72 723, respectively). At age 0-1, the rate differences ranged from 18 additional transport injuries to 1716 additional fall injuries per 100 000 person years among children with parental mental illness compared with children without parental mental illness. A higher adjusted rate ratio for injuries was observed from birth through adolescence and the risk was highest during the first year of life (adjusted rate ratio at age 0-1 for the overall association between any parental mental illness that has been recorded in the registers and injuries 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.26 to 1.33). Adjusted rate ratios at age 0-1 ranged from 1.28 (1.24 to 1.32) for fall injuries to 3.54 (2.28 to 5.48) for violence related injuries. Common and serious maternal and paternal mental illness was associated with increased risk of injuries in children, and estimates were slightly higher for common mental disorders. Conclusions Parental mental illness is associated with increased risk of injuries among offspring, particularly during the first years of the child’s life. Efforts to increase access to parental support for parents with mental illness, and to recognise and treat perinatal mental morbidity in parents in secondary care might prevent child injury.


Author(s):  
Richard Pham ◽  
Casey McQuade ◽  
Alex Somerfeld ◽  
Sandra Blakowski ◽  
Gavin W. Hickey

Objective: Determine the role of palliative care on terminal code status and setting of death for those with heart failure. Background: Although palliative care consultation (PCC) has increased for many conditions, PCC has not increased in those with cardiovascular disease. While it has been shown that the majority of those with heart failure die in medical facilities, the impact of PCC on terminal code status and setting of death requires further analysis. Methods: Patients admitted with heart failure between 2014-2015 at an academic VA Healthcare System were reviewed. Primary outcome was terminal code status. Secondary outcomes included setting of death, hospice utilization, and mortality scores. Student t-testing and Chi-square testing were performed where appropriate. Results: 334 patients were admitted with heart failure and had a median follow up time of 4.3 years. 196 patients died, with 122 (62%) receiving PCC and 74 (38%) without PCC. Patients were more likely to have terminal code statuses of comfort measures with PCC (OR = 4.6, p = 0.002), and less likely to be full code (OR = 0.09, p < 0.001). 146 patients had documented settings of death and were more likely to receive hospice services with PCC (OR 6.76, p < 0.001). A patient’s chance of dying at home was not increased with PCC (OR 0.49, p = 0.07), but they were more likely to die with inpatient hospice (OR = 17.03; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Heart failure patients who received PCC are more likely to die with more defined care preferences and with hospice services. This does not translate to dying at home.


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