Symptoms other than pain in palliative care in Portugal

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2015 May;32(3):335-40. doi: 10.1177/1049909114520715. Epub 2014 Jan 23.

Abstract

Objective: To study the burden of patients' symptoms other than pain and their treatment by Portuguese palliative care teams.

Methods: Of the 21 Portuguese palliative care teams identified, 10 accepted to participate. Data from all patients observed on the 18th week of 2011 were collected.

Results: One hundred and sixty-four patients were included in this study. One hundred and fifty-one patients (92%) had cancer. The patients' median age was 71 years (16-95) and 84 (51%) were females. The main symptoms were fatigue (116 [85%]) and depression/sadness (107 [65%]). Many different drugs were used for symptom control and other aims. Symptoms and drugs used here are similar to those practiced in other countries.

Conclusion: The practice of palliative care in Portugal seems to be similar to those in other countries.

Keywords: existential problems; nonphysical problems; palliative care; psychological problems; symptom control; symptoms other than pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Fatigue / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Pain / epidemiology*
  • Palliative Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Comfort
  • Portugal / epidemiology
  • Young Adult