Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Apr 2022
Review Meta AnalysisPrevalence of sialorrhea among amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative motor neuron disease (MND), and sialorrhea is a known symptom in patients with ALS, which may cause a social embarrassment and discomfort. However, people do not pay attention to sialorrhea up to now. This study is aimed at conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of sialorrhea in ALS patients all around the world and raising awareness of salivation. ⋯ Sialorrhea is a relatively common symptom in ALS patients with a comparatively high prevalence. In our study, we found that the prevalence of sialorrhea in ALS patients is relatively higher than the results based on direct questioning or postal survey. Therefore, we deduced that sialorrhea should be evaluated by more complex professional assessment scales to improve the quality of life and improve early prognosis of disease.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Apr 2022
How many cancer patients need palliative care? A population-based study.
The number of cancer patients potentially amenable to palliative care is conventionally estimated from cancer deaths, as reported in the death certificates. However, a more representative population should also include cancer patients who die from causes other than cancer, as they may develop other life-limiting chronic conditions leading to terminal prognosis. ⋯ Healthcare services addressing the issue of estimating palliative care needs of cancer patients at a population level should consider that relying on the death certificate alone may lead to underestimating these needs of about 22%.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Apr 2022
ReviewIdentifying core domains to assess the 'quality of death':A scoping review.
There is growing recognition of the value to patients, families, society, and health systems in providing healthcare, including end-of-life care, that is consistent with both patient preferences and clinical guidelines. ⋯ The review affirms the need for a people-centered approach to managing the delicate process and period of accepting and preparing for the end of life. The identified structural and experiential factors pertinent to the "quality of death" will prove invaluable for future efforts aimed to quantify health system performance in the end-of-life period.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Apr 2022
Multicenter StudyChallenges and strategies regarding sedation at the end of life in hospitals and nursing homes.
Sedation is an accepted, but controversially discussed and challenging measure to treat suffering at the end of life. Although most people die in hospitals or nursing homes, little is known how professionals in these settings deal with sedatives and sedation at the end of life. ⋯ To meet the identified challenges in a sustainable way and enable continuous improvement of quality of care, best practice recommendations, and other supportive measures have to address all identified levels of challenges.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Apr 2022
ReviewOpioid prescribing and use among cancer survivors: A mapping review of observational and intervention studies.
Recent years show a sharp increase in research on opioid use among cancer survivors, but evidence syntheses are lacking, leaving knowledge gaps. Corresponding research needs are unclear. ⋯ We found lack of consistency in the measurement of and terms used to describe similar opioid use outcomes, and a lack of interventional research targeting well-documented patterns of potentially nonrecommended, potentially avoidable, or potentially high-risk opioid prescribing or use.