From Pozan U-Poland: Quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22057209

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2011 Nov 3. [Epub ahead of print]
Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer Treated at Home and at a Palliative Care Unit.
Leppert W, Turska A, Majkowicz M, Dziegielewska S, Pankiewicz P, Mess E.
Source
Chair and Department of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.

Abstract
Background: To assess quality of life (QOL) in patients with advanced lung cancer. Patients and

METHODS:
A prospective study of 78 patients cared at home and at a palliative care unit (PCU) with 2 QOL assessments was conducted.

RESULTS:
Fifty patients completed the study. In the EORTC QLQ-C30 role, cognitive, social functioning, global QOL, fatigue, pain, dyspnea, and appetite deteriorated; nausea/vomiting improved; dyspnea was more intense in the case of in-home patients. In the EORTC QLQ-LC13 hemoptysis improved; pain in other parts was more intense in the PCU patients. Pain (Visual Analogue scale) was more intense in the PCU patients; the level of activity (Karnofsky) decreased in the case of patients treated at home.

CONCLUSIONS:
QOL deteriorated with few differences between home and the PCU patients.