Articles: terminally-ill.
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Observational Study
Relationship Between Perilesional Skin Condition and Survival in Terminally Ill Patients with Pressure Ulcers.
Background and Objectives: In the context of palliative care, the aim is to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life, with particular attention to PUs, which have a significant impact on quality of life and survival. This study examines the relationship between perilesional skin condition and survival in terminally ill patients with pressure ulcers (PUs). Materials and Methods: A descriptive and observational study was conducted in two hospitals in Valencia with a sample of 100 terminally ill patients. ⋯ In addition, a positive correlation was found between Barthel Score and survival, suggesting that patients with greater functional independence have a longer life expectancy. On the other hand, the negative correlation between total lymphocyte count and survival suggests that lymphocytopenia may be a marker of adaptive immunosuppression. Perilesional tissue epithelialization, overall functionality and serum albumin levels are key factors in predicting survival, highlighting the need for a comprehensive palliative care approach to optimize quality of life and prolong survival in terminally ill patients with PUs.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2025
Recommendations for psychosocial support for long-distance caregivers of terminally ill patients.
The provision of appropriate psychosocial support has a significant impact on quality of life for informal caregivers of terminally ill patients. Long-distance caregivers have specific wishes and needs for psychosocial support. ⋯ The consensus-based recommendations represent the first empirically grounded guidelines in Germany aimed at addressing the psychosocial needs of long-distance caregivers of terminally ill patients. The recommendations seek to raise awareness among both professional and voluntary workers regarding the specific support requirements of this understudied population.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2024
'Recommendations for deprescribing of medication in the last phase of life: an international Delphi study'.
Medications may become inappropriate for patients in the last phase of life and may even compromise their quality of life. ⋯ A high level of consensus was reached on recommendations on potential deprescription of several medications for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less.
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Case Reports
Successful Management of Terminal Delirium With Transdermal Blonanserin Patch in a Terminally Ill Cancer Patient.
Delirium is a distressing condition in terminally ill cancer patients, often treated with antipsychotics. Administering them orally, subcutaneously, or intravenously can be challenging in severely agitated patients. Transdermal antipsychotic patches offer an alternative, but their use for terminal delirium remains underexplored. ⋯ The patch was easily applied daily without notable adverse events. However, he deteriorated a week later with an estimated survival of days, ultimately requiring continuous midazolam for refractory agitation. This case underscores the potential of transdermal blonanserin patches for delirium in terminally ill cancer patients, emphasizing the need for future prospective studies.