Annals of palliative medicine
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Radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV) is a toxicity that can occur in 40-80% of individuals who receive radiation treatment. Current guidelines recommend 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonists (5-HT3 RAs) for prophylaxis of RINV for moderate and highly emetogenic radiotherapy; however, certain patients may suffer from RINV despite prophylaxis. ⋯ In chemotherapy, switching 5-HT3 RAs after failure on the first is successful in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), yet this has not been previously reported in radiation. In this patient, granisetron and aprepitant were successful in substantially reducing nausea and preventing further emesis, and may represent an alternative antiemetic regimen for RINV prophylaxis and salvage.
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Home discharge after hospital admission to an inpatient palliative care unit (PCU) is a major challenge. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is commonly observed in patients with advanced cancer in this setting. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine whether the measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) by assessing parameters of the autonomic nervous system on a 24-h-ECG at the time of admission to the PCU was correlated with the likelihood of discharge. ⋯ KPS and PPS were significant predictors of the likelihood of discharge while HRV did not predict discharge.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a progressive course with a variable illness trajectory causing death either from respiratory failure or complications from its comorbities. Palliative care benefits patients throughout all stages of COPD, with a goal to manage patients' symptom burden which can reduce physical, psychological, and social complications. Dyspnea is the most common and distressing symptom patients with end stage COPD experience, which responds only partially to therapy and eventually becomes refractory to routine care. ⋯ Caregivers and informed patients can utilize palliative care resources to provide effective relief from refractory dyspnea and help patients maintain a dignified quality-of-life until the end of life. This review is focused on identifying current deficiencies in palliative care provided to patients with advanced COPD with attempts to overcome these. We hope to increase awareness of palliative care in advanced COPD to healthcare providers caring for this population of patients.
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This review focuses on newer medications for the treatment of pain as well as on new guidelines and indications for the use of established medications. With regard to classical analgesics, the use of non-opioids and opioids is reviewed. Here are relevant new data on the use of the old substance acetaminophen as well as on non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the newer COX-2 selective agents, which continue to be misunderstood. ⋯ Calcitonin has also found some new indications in difficult to treat pain conditions, while the discussion on the role of cannabinoids in pain management continues, partially driven by political issues. For localized neuropathic pain, there is increasing interest in topical preparations such as lidocaine and capsaicin patches, in particular in view of their minimal systemic adverse effects. Overall, recent advances in the pharmacological management of pain are not so much the result of new 'miracle' drugs, but new preparations and new ways to use old drugs in a variety of settings, often as components of a multimodal approach to pain relief.
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As medical science has evolved, many conditions that once were thought to be "death sentences" have become chronic illness. In some ways, this makes death and dying more complicated, fraught with decisions about what care is appropriate and when to withhold or withdraw care. Studies have shown that most patients faced with life-threatening illness have spiritual needs that are not adequately addressed by their health care providers. ⋯ These guidelines delineate eight domains that are addressed through the provision of palliative care; the fifth domain gives attention to spiritual, religious and existential aspects of care. Guidelines recommend the use of standardized tools wherever possible to assess spiritual needs; referral to members of the interdisciplinary team who have specialized skills in addressing existential and spiritual concerns, and initiating contact and communication with community spiritual providers as requested by patients and their families. Palliative care providers are also called to be advocates for the spiritual and religious rituals of patients and families, especially at the time of death.