Benefits, for patients with late stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, of being cared for in specialized palliative care compared to hospital. A nationwide register study.

backgroundIn early stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dyspnea has been reported as the main symptom; but at the end of life, patients dying from COPD have a heavy symptom burden. Still, specialist palliative care is seldom offered to patients with COPD; they more often receive end of life care in hospitals. Furthermore, symptoms, symptom relief and care activities in the last week of life for COPD patients are rarely studied. The aim of this study was to compare patient and care characteristics in late stage COPD patients treated in specialized palliative care (SPC) versus hospital.

methodsTwo nationwide registers were merged, the Swedish National Airway Register (SNAR) and the Swedish Register of Palliative Care (SRPC). Patients with COPD and < 50% of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV

resultsThe patients in hospitals were older and more likely to have heart failure or hypertension. Pain was more frequently reported and relieved in SPC than in hospitals (p = 0.001). Rattle, anxiety, delirium and nausea were reported at similar frequencies between the settings; but rattle, anxiety, delirium, and dyspnea were more frequently relieved in SPC (all p < 0.001). Compared to hospital, SPC was more often the preferred place of care (p < 0.001). In SPC, EOL discussions with patients and families were more frequently held than in hospital (p < 0.001). Heart failure increased the probability of dying in hospital while lung cancer increased the probability of dying in SPC.

conclusionThis study provides evidence for referring more COPD patients to SPC, which is more focused on symptom management and psychosocial and existential support.