Open AccessPalliative care understanding and end‐of‐life decisions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Author(s) -
Fahim Ahmed,
Kastelik Jack A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/crj.12073
Subject(s) - medicine , palliative care , copd , cardiopulmonary resuscitation , end of life care , population , resuscitation , intensive care medicine , cohort , physical therapy , emergency medicine , nursing , environmental health
Abstract Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of respiratory morbidity and mortality with limited data on palliative care and evidence of reluctance to end‐of‐life discussions. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the understanding of palliative care as an option in COPD . Moreover, we wanted to identify any barriers to resuscitation discussions in this group of patients. Methods We developed a questionnaire addressing the aims of the study. Patients with COPD were prospectively recruited into the study and completed palliative questionnaire, L eicester cough questionnaire, B org dyspnoea index and Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale. Results The patient population was predominantly male (60%) with mean age of 70 years (range 43–87 years). The mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 1.0 (range 0.3–2.3 L ). The mean body mass index of the cohort was 24.3 (standard deviation 6.7, range 14.5–42). Ten patients (33%) were on home oxygen. Thirteen (43%) patients understood the term non‐invasive ventilation, and 11 of those would consider it again if needed. Only 13% of patients knew that palliative care is an option in COPD . Eleven patients understood the term cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and only five (16%) ever had a discussion regarding resuscitation. Conclusion This study demonstrates that there is extremely limited awareness of palliative care in patients with COPD . Moreover, the barriers to the end‐of‐life discussions should be explored to improve the end‐of‐life care in this disease.