A comparison of the prevalence of dry mouth and other symptoms using two different versions of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System on an inpatient palliative care unit.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Symptom assessment is key to effective symptom management and palliative care for patients with advanced cancer. Symptom prevalence and severity estimates vary widely, possibly dependent on the assessment tool used. Are symptoms specifically asked about or must the patients add them as additional symptoms? This study compared the prevalence and severity of patient-reported symptoms in two different versions of a multi-symptom assessment tool. In one version, three symptoms dry mouth, constipation, sleep problems were among those systematically assessed, while in the other, these symptoms had to be added as an "Other problem".

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study included adult patients with advanced cancer at an inpatient palliative care unit. Data wer

SUBMITTER: Monsen RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10943902 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature