Alberto Alonso-Babarro

An International Consensus Definition of the Wish to Hasten Death and Its Related Factors

Background The desire for hastened death or wish to hasten death (WTHD) that is experienced by some patients with advanced illness is a complex phenomenon for which no widely accepted definition exists. This lack of a common conceptualization hinders understanding and cooperation between clinicians and researchers. The aim of this study was to develop an internationally agreed definition of the WTHD. Methods Following an exhaustive literature review, a modified nominal group process and an international, modified Delphi process were carried out. The nominal group served to produce a preliminary definition that was then subjected to a Delphi process in which 24 experts from 19 institutions from Europe, Canada and the USA participated. Delphi responses and comments were analysed using a pre-established strategy. Findings All 24 experts completed the three rounds of the Delphi process, and all the proposed statements achieved at least 79% agreement. Key concepts in the final definition include the WTHD as a reaction to suffering, the fact that such a wish is not always expressed spontaneously, and the need to distinguish the WTHD from the acceptance of impending death or from a wish to die naturally, although preferably soon. The proposed definition also makes reference to possible factors related to the WTHD. Conclusions This international consensus definition of the WTHD should make it easier for clinicians and researchers to share their knowledge. This would foster an improved understanding of the phenomenon and help in developing strategies for early therapeutic intervention.

Practice Patterns and Perceptions About Parenteral Hydration in the Last Weeks of Life: A Survey of Palliative Care Physicians in Latin America

CONTEXT Parenteral hydration at the end of life is controversial and has generated considerable debate for decades. OBJECTIVES To identify palliative care physician parenteral hydration prescribing patterns and factors that influence prescribing levels (PLs) for patients during their last weeks of life. METHODS A cross-sectional, representative online survey of Latin American palliative care physicians was conducted in 2010. Physicians were asked to report the percentage of their terminally ill patients for whom they prescribed parenteral hydration. Predictors of parenteral hydration PLs were identified using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Two hundred thirty-eight of 320 physicians completed the survey (74% response rate). Sixty percent of physicians reported prescribing parenteral hydration to 40%-100% of their patients during the last weeks of life. Factors influencing moderate/high PLs were the following: agreeing that parenteral hydration is clinically and psychologically efficacious (odds ratio [OR] 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-8.3), disagreeing that withholding parenteral hydration alleviates symptoms (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3-8.1), agreeing that parenteral hydration is essential for meeting the minimum standards of care (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.5), preferring the subcutaneous route of parenteral hydration for patient comfort and home use (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.5), and being younger than 45 years of age (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.2). CONCLUSION The strongest determinant of prescribing patterns was agreement with the clinical/psychological efficaciousness of parenteral hydration. Our results reflect parenteral hydration prescribing patterns and perceptions that substantially differ from the conventional/traditional hospice philosophy. These findings suggest that the decision to prescribe or withhold parenteral hydration is largely based on clinical perceptions and that most palliative care physicians from this region of the world individualize treatment decisions.

[Continuity of care, innovation and redefinition of professional roles in the healthcare of chronically and terminally ill patients. SESPAS report 2012].

Continuity of care is essential to address the multiple needs of the chronically and terminally ill. To achieve this aim, the organizational barriers of the different levels of care must be overcome by establishing appropriate coordination mechanisms. Interest in finding effective solutions to the problems that threaten continuity of care is increasing, favoring the continued development of professional and institutional strategies to improve coordination. The present article explores some of the proposals to improve the coordination of care in primary care settings, from the point of view of nursing, social work and palliative care. Due to the increase in patients with chronic and complex needs and multimorbidity, the number and quality of home visits should be increased. The effectiveness of home care depends on the regularity of follow-up and the stability of the healthcare programs, rather than on the service responsible for monitoring the patient or the professional responsible for home visits.

Correction: An International Consensus Definition of the Wish to Hasten Death and Its Related Factors

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146184.].

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 2 dose ratios for conversion from parenteral to oral methadone in patients with cancer pain.

206 Background: Methadone (M) is frequently used for severe cancer pain using the parenteral and oral route. The most commonly used dose ratio (DR) parenteral: oral is 1:2. However, methadone is highly bioavailable and a lower ratio might result in similar analgesia with less toxicity. The main objective of this RCT is to compare success and side effects with 2 ratios of parenteral to oral M: 1:2 vs 1:1.2 in hospitalized patients with cancer pain. METHODS Inpatients with cancer pain well controlled with parenteral M requiring rotation to the oral route. Double blind RCT. Outcomes included pain intensity (BPI), opioid toxicity (CTCAE), and M dose. Success was defined as good pain control with no toxicity at 72hs. RESULTS 39/44 randomized patients were evaluable (89%): 21 in DR 1:2 and 18 in DR 1:1.2. 71% male, median age 65. No significant difference between DR1:2 and DR1:1.2 in frequency of neuropathic pain (64 Vs 68%), Papscore A/B (100 Vs 91%), CAGE + (23 Vs 18%). Median M dose pre/post was 24.5mg±13.5 y 49 mg±27.3 for DR 1:2, Vs 23.3mg±9.4 (p: NS) y 28mg±11.3 (p < 0.01) for DR 1:1.2. The DR1:2 group developed more cumulative toxicity at dasy 1, 2 and 3 (p < 0.015, p < 0.006 y p < 0.001 respectively). Pain intensity pre/ post was: 1.58±1.3 and 0.87±1.0, ns for DR 1:2, Vs 1.13±0.7 (p:NS) and 1.07±0.9 (p:NS) for DR 1:1.2. Success was observed in 12 pts in DR1:2 Vs 18 in DR 1:1.2, p < 0.001. Side effects related to M were observed in 33/46 pts in DR 1:2 (mainly neurotoxicity symptoms) Vs 1/6 in DR 1:1.2. CONCLUSIONS DR 1:1.2 when changing from parenteral to oral M resulted in lower toxicity and no difference in analgesia. More conservative dose adjustment during M route change should be considered. Granted by Spanish Ministry of Health EC10-133. EUDRACT Number: 2010-024092-39. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION 2010-024092-39.

Invasive Techniques for Pain Management in Palliative Care: A Single Center Experience

To achieve a successful pain control, interventional techniques are required in approximately 15% of the patients admitted to the Palliative Care Service (PCS).

Continuidad de cuidados, innovación y redefinición de papeles profesionales en la atención a pacientes crónicos y terminales. Informe SESPAS 2012

Continuity of care is essential to address the multiple needs of the chronically and terminally ill. To achieve this aim, the organizational barriers of the different levels of care must be overcome by establishing appropriate coordination mechanisms. Interest in finding effective solutions to the problems that threaten continuity of care is increasing, favoring the continued development of professional and institutional strategies to improve coordination. The present article explores some of the proposals to improve the coordination of care in primary care settings, from the point of view of nursing, social work and palliative care. Due to the increase in patients with chronic and complex needs and multimorbidity, the number and quality of home visits should be increased. The effectiveness of home care depends on the regularity of follow-up and the stability of the healthcare programs, rather than on the service responsible for monitoring the patient or the professional responsible for home visits.