Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2023
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyThe ICaRAS randomised controlled trial: Intravenous iron to treat anaemia in people with advanced cancer - feasibility of recruitment, intervention and delivery.
Anaemia is highly prevalent in people with advanced, palliative cancer yet sufficiently effective and safe treatments are lacking. Oral iron is poorly tolerated, and blood transfusion offers only transient benefits. Intravenous iron has shown promise as an effective treatment for anaemia but its use for people with advanced, palliative cancer lacks evidence. ⋯ The trial was feasible according to recruitment and attrition rates. Intravenous iron increased haemoglobin and may improve fatigue specific quality of life measures compared to placebo. A definitive trial is required for confirmation.
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Palliative medicine · Apr 2022
Multicenter Study Observational StudySexual health and closeness in couples coping with advanced cancer: Results of a multicenter observational study (eQuiPe).
Cancer and its treatment can severely affect sexual health. It is unknown how this may relate to the feelings of closeness between patients and their partners. ⋯ Couples coping with advanced cancer clearly face challenges regarding sexual health but are not likely to seek specialized support. When discussing sexual health, it is crucial that health care professionals pay attention to the aspects of sexual health that may contribute to feeling close to each other and suggest specialized care if necessary.
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Palliative medicine · Feb 2022
Multicenter Study'It was like an airbag, it cushioned the blow': A multi-site qualitative study of bereaved parents' experiences of using cooling facilities.
Evidence on the benefits to parents of spending time with their child in the hours after their death means this is now routine practice. UK children's hospices offer parents the opportunity to extend this period by using cooling facilities (i.e. cooled 'bedrooms'; cooling blankets/mattresses) to slow deterioration. ⋯ As well as easing the very early days of loss, use of cooling facilities may influence longer-term bereavement outcomes.
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Palliative medicine · Jan 2022
Multicenter StudyEffect of continuous deep sedation on survival in the last days of life of cancer patients: A multicenter prospective cohort study.
Continuous deep sedation is ethically controversial with respect to whether it shortens a patient's life. ⋯ Continuous deep sedation with careful dose adjustment was not associated with shorter survival in the last days of life in patients with advanced cancer.
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Palliative medicine · Sep 2021
Multicenter Study Observational StudyBereaved relatives' quality of life before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of the prospective, multicenter, observational eQuiPe study.
The death of a loved one is considered as one of the most stressful life events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, grief processes are potentially affected by measures such as social distancing and self-quarantine. ⋯ On the short-term, the COVID-19 pandemic did not have significant impact on bereaved relatives' wellbeing. However, long-term impact of the pandemic on their wellbeing should be assessed.