Demographic Profile of Patients in Palliative Care: A Hospital-Based Study to Support Public Health Policies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1679-9836.v104i4e-227277Keywords:
Hospital medicine, Hospital, Palliative medicineAbstract
The aging of the global population is an undeniable reality, accompanied by an increasing incidence of oncological and chronic degenerative diseases. Despite improvements in quality of life driven by technological advances, the suffering experienced by individuals with such conditions remains significant, and the need for comprehensive knowledge in palliative care has never been more urgent. The implementation of the National Palliative Care Policy in Brazil aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families while optimizing healthcare system resources. In this context, there is a clear need for further studies on palliative care in the country, particularly focusing on the profile of patients already receiving such care, including in the hospital setting and its inherent challenges. This study aimed to describe the demographic profile and health-related aspects of hospitalized patients followed by a Palliative Care Service, identifying the main groups of pathologies leading to hospitalization and eligibility for palliative care. Data were collected from 721 patients, with a mean age of 78 years for men and 82 years for women. Among the participants, 73% were over 60 years old, with the highest prevalence observed in the 71 to 80-year age group. Regarding the underlying diagnoses, 13% had organ failure (heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic kidney disease), 32.5% had oncological conditions, and 32.5% had neurological conditions (stroke and dementia). At the time of the first evaluation, 88% of the patients were completely bedridden. Among the evaluated patients, 74% died during hospitalization, while 26% were discharged. Of those with a Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) score of 10, 100% died during hospitalization; 85% of those with a PPS of 20, and 75% with a PPS of 30, also died during hospitalization. The mean time between hospital admission and the request for palliative care consultation was 8 days.
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