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BMC Palliative Care

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Open Access 01-12-2008 | Research article

Prevalence of distressing symptoms in hospitalised patients on medical wards: A cross-sectional study

Authors: Katrin Ruth Sigurdardottir, Dagny Faksvåg Haugen

Published in: BMC Palliative Care | Issue 1/2008

Abstract

Background

Many patients with advanced, serious, non-malignant disease belong to the population generally seen on medical wards. However, little research has been carried out on palliative care needs in this group. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of distressing symptoms in patients hospitalised in a Department of Internal Medicine, estimate how many of these patients might be regarded as palliative, and describe their main symptoms.

Methods

Cross-sectional (point prevalence) study. All patients hospitalised in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, and Cardiology were asked to do a symptom assessment by use of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Patients were defined as "palliative" if they had an advanced, serious, chronic disease with limited life expectancy and symptom relief as the main goal of treatment.

Results

222 patients were registered in all. ESAS was completed for 160 patients. 79 (35.6%) were defined as palliative and 43 of them completed ESAS. The patients in the palliative group were older than the rest, and reported more dyspnea (70%) and a greater lack of wellbeing (70%). Other symptoms reported by this group were dry mouth (58%), fatigue (56%), depression (41%), anxiety (37%), pain at rest (30%), and pain on movement (42%).

Conclusion

More than one third of the patients in a Department of Internal Medicine were defined as palliative, and the majority of the patients in this palliative group reported severe symptoms. There is a need for skills in symptom control on medical wards.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-684X/7/16/prepub

Title: Prevalence of distressing symptoms in hospitalised patients on medical wards: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Katrin Ruth Sigurdardottir
Dagny Faksvåg Haugen
Publication date: 01-12-2008
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Palliative Care / Issue 1/2008
Electronic ISSN: 1472-684X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-684X-7-16

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Prevalence of distressing symptoms in hospitalised patients on medical wards: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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