How much time is left? Associations between estimations of patient life expectancy and quality of life in patients and caregivers

Trajectory of quality of life among patients with cancer at the end of life: a longitudinal survey study

PURPOSE

Measuring and understanding the determinants of HRQoL is essential to the delivery of effective and high-quality end-of-life (EoL) care to patients with cancer. Despite this, the evidence base remains sparse and with much of the existing literature relying on data from cross-sectional studies and clinical trials.

AIM

The objective of this study was to describe HRQoL in a population of patients with cancer leading up till death using both the generic preference-based scale European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level Version and the disease-specific scale European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire.

METHODS

Using a longitudinal prospective study design, HRQoL data was collected in four waves over the course of one year. The population consisted of all patients who received cancer-targeted drug treatment at the Department of Oncology at Odense University Hospital, Denmark. Only patients who died during the data collection period were included.

RESULTS

HRQoL in patients with cancer was stable for most months and close to the level of the general Danish population at the same age but deteriorated considerably in the last three months of life. The same pattern was observed for both HRQoL scales.

CONCLUSION

Despite current efforts to deliver high-quality EoL care to patients with cancer, we see a general decrease in HRQoL in the months leading up to death. The generic and disease-specific HRQoL scales do capture different dimensions of HRQoL which also, by construct, are weighted differently in the two approaches.

Caregiver Burden in Bladder Cancer Patients with Urinary Diversion Post-Radical Cystectomy and the Need for Comprehensive Nursing Education: A Narrative Literature

Background

Bladder cancer ranks seventh in global cancer prevalence. Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion are standard for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Family caregivers shoulder a substantial care burden, affecting their own quality of life, with repercussions extending to patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Objective

This narrative review aims to highlight the major concerns perceived by the caregivers and efficacy of nurse-led interventions in alleviating their concerns and improving HRQOL.

Methods

A systematic search of the PubMed, CINAHL, and Science Direct databases was carried out to identify studies published in the last 5 years (from Jan 2018 to Aug 2023) that have evaluated the concerns and problems of caregivers attending bladder cancer patients with urinary diversion. Additionally, studies evaluating the efficacy of nurse-led interventions in alleviating these concerns were also searched.

Results

Overall, 6 studies involving 933 BC patients with UD and 1042 caregivers were identified as suitable for inclusion in this narrative literature review. Major concerns identified included psychological well-being, medical assistance needs, and peer support. Significant psychological impact was evident in the caregivers which operated in a dyadic manner. Nurse-led stoma education programs have demonstrated potential in enhancing caregivers' quality of life, although they remain restricted.

Conclusion

Emphasizing caregivers' role and program effectiveness is critical. Our review addresses these gaps, focusing on caregivers' concerns and the impact of nursing education for improved patient outcomes.

Implications for Practice

Holistic and collaborative approach could enhance the overall well-being and quality of life of bladder cancer patients and their caregivers.

Caregiver experiences of caring for family members with urostomy: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

In China, bladder tumors rank first for morbidity and mortality among urological and reproductive system tumors. Total radical cystectomy plus urinary flow conversion is the gold standard for the treatment of muscle-layer invasive bladder cancer. With an increasing number of radical cystectomies each year, the number of patients living with urostomy is growing. After discharge, primary care of urostomy patients is given at home, and high demands are placed on home caregivers due to issues of privacy and the complexity of replacing the urostomy device. This research explored the challenges faced by the family caregivers of urostomy patients.

METHODS

We used descriptive qualitative research methods to conduct interviews with twenty-five family caregivers of patients with urostomy. Survey subjects were from five general hospitals. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three critical challenges were identified-confusion, family crisis, and struggle psychology. Within these three themes, six sub-themes were constructed by coders. They were knowledge and skill deficiency, strong insecurities and uncertainties, role conflict, economic burden, emotional overwhelmed and calm acceptance.

CONCLUSION

Family caregivers play a critical role in patient care, and especially in urostomy care. Caregiving is associated with significant challenges that hinder the family caregiver's ability to effectively care for the patient, further diminishing the caregiver's quality of life. Therefore, healthcare professionals should consider the challenges faced by family caregivers and take measures to obviate them through education, preparation, and support.

What factors are associated with informal carers' psychological morbidity during end-of-life home care? A systematic review and thematic synthesis of observational quantitative studies

Background

Family carers are central in supporting patients nearing end of life. As a consequence, they often suffer detrimental impacts on their own mental health. Understanding what factors may affect carers' mental health is important in developing strategies to maintain their psychological well-being during caregiving.

Aim

To conduct a systematic review and thematic evidence synthesis of factors related to carers' mental health during end-of-life caregiving.

Method

Searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Social Sciences Citation Index, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects 1 January 2009-24 November 2019. We included observational quantitative studies focusing on adult informal/family carers for adult patients at end of life cared for at home considering any factor related to carer mental health (anxiety, depression, distress and quality of life) pre-bereavement. Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used. Thematic analysis with box score presentation, and meta-analysis were done where data permitted.

Results

Findings from 63 included studies underpinned seven emergent themes. Patient condition (31 studies): worse patient psychological symptoms and quality of life were generally associated with worse carer mental health. Patient depression was associated with higher depression in carers (standardised mean difference = 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.32 to 0.87, I2 = 77%). Patients' other symptoms and functional impairment may relate to carer mental health, but findings were unclear. Impact of caring responsibilities (14 studies): impact on carers' lives, task difficulty and general burden had clear associations with worse carer mental health. Relationships (8 studies): family dynamics and the quality of the carer-patient relationship may be important for carer mental health and are worthy of further investigation. Finance (6 studies): insufficient resources may relate to carers' mental health and warrant further study. Carers' psychological processes (13 studies): self-efficacy and preparedness were related to better mental health. However, findings regarding coping strategies were mixed. Support (18 studies): informal support given by family and friends may relate to better carer mental health, but evidence on formal support is limited. Having unmet needs was related to worse mental health, while satisfaction with care was related to better mental health. Contextual factors (16 studies): older age was generally associated with better carer mental health and being female was associated with worse mental health.

Limitations

Studies were mainly cross-sectional (56) rather than longitudinal (7) which raises questions about the likely causal direction of relationships. One-third of studies had samples < 100, so many had limited statistical power to identify existing relationships.

Conclusions and future work

Future work must adopt a comprehensive approach to improving carers' mental health because factors relating to carer mental health cover a broad spectrum. The literature on this topic is diverse and difficult to summarise, and the field would benefit from a clearer direction of enquiry guided by explanatory models. Future research should (1) further investigate quality of relationships and finances; (2) better define factors under investigation; (3) establish, through quantitative causal analyses, why factors might relate to mental health; and (4) utilise longitudinal designs more to aid understanding of likely causal direction of associations.

Study registration

This study is registered as PROSPERO registration 2019 CRD42019130279 at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.

Funding

This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme HSDR 18/01/01 and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Perceived Life Expectancy Among Dialysis Recipients: A Scoping Review

Rationale & Objective

Greater prognostic understanding is associated with higher quality care at the end of life. We undertook a scoping review to explore how long dialysis recipients expect to live.

Study Design

Scoping Review.

Setting & Study Populations

People with kidney failure over 18 years old.

Search Strategy & Sources

Studies were identified by searching Medline, Embase, APA PsycINFO, HMIC, and ProQuest database for terms related to "life expectancy", "self-estimated", and "end stage kidney disease".

Data Extraction

Search strategies reported 349 unique, potentially eligible studies, with 8 studies meeting the inclusion criteria after screening.

Results

Significant mismatches between dialysis recipients and their health care provider's estimations of prognosis were reported, with patients predicting significantly higher life expectancies than health care professionals and almost no agreement between patient and nephrologist's estimates of 1-year survival. Documented cognitive impairment did not affect 1-year or 5-year prognosis estimates, nor did gender, age, time on dialysis, or discussing perceived life expectancy. Dialysis recipients who thought they were on the transplant list or who self-identified as African American reported higher perceived life expectancy, whereas people who were 75 years or older, or with fair or poor self-reported health status reported a lower perceived life expectancy. Those with a lower perceived life expectancy preferred care focusing on relieving pain and discomfort, whereas people who thought they had a higher chance of survival were significantly more likely to prefer life-extending care.

Limitations

There is a marked paucity of research in this area, with most studies conducted in North American cohorts.

Conclusions

Optimistic patient prognostic expectations persist in dialysis recipients. Given the effects of perceived life expectancy on treatment choices and subsequent quality of life, it is important that transparent discussions regarding prognosis are conducted with people receiving dialysis and their families.

Plain-Language Summary

Understanding illness severity and prognosis allows people to make decisions and prioritize areas of their lives that are important to them. We undertook a scoping review to explore how long dialysis recipients expect to live. We found significant mismatches between the perceived life expectancy of people treated with dialysis and their health care providers. Perceived life expectancy influenced treatment choices; thus, those who thought they would die sooner prioritized care focusing on relieving pain and discomfort. Those who thought they had a higher chance of survival were more likely to prefer life-extending care (with potential effects on quality of life). It is important to have frank discussions about prognosis with people receiving dialysis, to empower individuals and help them make informed decisions about their care.

Interventions for interpersonal communication about end of life care between health practitioners and affected people

BACKGROUND

Communication about end of life (EoL) and EoL care is critically important for providing quality care as people approach death. Such communication is often complex and involves many people (patients, family members, carers, health professionals). How best to communicate with people in the period approaching death is not known, but is an important question for quality of care at EoL worldwide. This review fills a gap in the evidence on interpersonal communication (between people and health professionals) in the last year of life, focusing on interventions to improve interpersonal communication and patient, family member and carer outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions designed to improve verbal interpersonal communication about EoL care between health practitioners and people affected by EoL.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception to July 2018, without language or date restrictions. We contacted authors of included studies and experts and searched reference lists to identify relevant papers. We searched grey literature sources, conference proceedings, and clinical trials registries in September 2019. Database searches were re-run in June 2021 and potentially relevant studies listed as awaiting classification or ongoing.

SELECTION CRITERIA

This review assessed the effects of interventions, evaluated in randomised and quasi-randomised trials, intended to enhance interpersonal communication about EoL care between patients expected to die within 12 months, their family members and carers, and health practitioners involved in their care. Patients of any age from birth, in any setting or care context (e.g. acute catastrophic injury, chronic illness), and all health professionals involved in their care were eligible. All communication interventions were eligible, as long as they included interpersonal interaction(s) between patients and family members or carers and health professionals. Interventions could be simple or complex, with one or more communication aims (e.g. to inform, skill, engage, support). Effects were sought on outcomes for patients, family and carers, health professionals and health systems, including adverse (unintended) effects. To ensure this review's focus was maintained on interpersonal communication in the last 12 months of life,  we excluded studies that addressed specific decisions, shared or otherwise, and the tools involved in such decision-making. We also excluded studies focused on advance care planning (ACP) reporting ACP uptake or completion as the primary outcome. Finally, we excluded studies of communication skills training for health professionals unless patient outcomes were reported as primary outcomes.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Standard Cochrane methods were used, including dual review author study selection, data extraction and quality assessment of the included studies.

MAIN RESULTS

Eight trials were included. All assessed intervention effects compared with usual care. Certainty of the evidence was low or very low. All outcomes were downgraded for indirectness based on the review's purpose, and many were downgraded for imprecision and/or inconsistency. Certainty was not commonly downgraded for methodological limitations. A summary of the review's findings is as follows. Knowledge and understanding (four studies, low-certainty evidence; one study without usable data): interventions to improve communication (e.g. question prompt list, with or without patient and physician training) may have little or no effect on knowledge of illness and prognosis, or information needs and preferences, although studies were small and measures used varied across trials.  Evaluation of the communication (six studies measuring several constructs (communication quality, patient-centredness, involvement preferences, doctor-patient relationship, satisfaction with consultation), most low-certainty evidence): across constructs there may be minimal or no effects of interventions to improve EoL communication, and there is uncertainty about effects of interventions such as a patient-specific feedback sheet on quality of communication.  Discussions of EoL or EoL care (six studies measuring selected outcomes, low- or very low-certainty evidence): a family conference intervention may increase duration of EoL discussions in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, while use of a structured serious illness conversation guide may lead to earlier discussions of EoL and EoL care (each assessed by one study). We are uncertain about effects on occurrence of discussions and question asking in consultations, and there may be little or no effect on content of communication in consultations.  Adverse outcomes or unintended effects (limited evidence): there is insufficient evidence to determine whether there are adverse outcomes associated with communication interventions  (e.g. question prompt list, family conference, structured discussions) for EoL and EoL care. Patient and/or carer anxiety was reported by three studies, but judged as confounded. No other unintended consequences, or worsening of desired outcomes, were reported. Patient/carer quality of life (four studies, low-certainty evidence; two without useable data): interventions to improve communication may have little or no effect on quality of life.  Health practitioner outcomes (three studies, low-certainty evidence; two without usable data): interventions to improve communication may have little or no effect on health practitioner outcomes (satisfaction with communication during consultation; one study); effects on other outcomes (knowledge, preparedness to communicate) are unknown. Health systems impacts: communication interventions (e.g. structured EoL conversations) may have little or no effect on carer or clinician ratings of quality of EoL care (satisfaction with care, symptom management, comfort assessment, quality of care) (three studies, low-certainty evidence), or on patients' self-rated care and illness, or numbers of care goals met (one study, low-certainty evidence). Communication interventions (e.g. question prompt list alone or with nurse-led communication skills training) may slightly increase mean consultation length (two studies), but other health service impacts (e.g. hospital admissions) are unclear.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Findings of this review are inconclusive for practice. Future research might contribute meaningfully by seeking to fill gaps for populations not yet studied in trials; and to develop responsive outcome measures with which to better assess the effects of communication on the range of people involved in EoL communication episodes. Mixed methods and/or qualitative research may contribute usefully to better understand the complex interplay between different parties involved in communication, and to inform development of more effective interventions and appropriate outcome measures. Co-design of such interventions and outcomes, involving the full range of people affected by EoL communication and care, should be a key underpinning principle for future research in this area.

Relationship of spiritual wellbeing with life expectancy and quality of life for patients living with heart failure

Aim: Spirituality is a crucial dimension in human health. However, it is often overlooked in patients with heart failure (HF) in Iran. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between spiritual wellbeing, life expectancy and quality-of-life (QOL) in patients with HF. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with 150 HF patients, who were enrolled through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising four parts: the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, Schneider's life expectancy instrument, Ellison's and Paulotzin's (1982) Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and a demographic checklist. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: In this study, mean and standard deviation of QOL, life expectancy and spiritual wellbeing were 41.82±19.17, 30.20±4.58 and 87.80±5.28 respectively. There was a significant relationship between spiritual wellbeing and quality of life (r=-0.633, P<0.001) and also life expectancy (r=0.544, P<0.001). Quality of life and life expectancy were significantly higher in men than in women. Linear regression tests showed that the existential and religious dimensions of spirituality could influence 44.9% of the QOL variance (F=54.54, P<0.001) and increased values of existential spirituality would improve QOL by an average of 3.45 units. Improving life expectancy also raised QOL by 14.0% (F=21.26, P<0.001). This study also demonstrated that life expectancy is impacted by spiritual health, with a variance of 34.2%, in which the role of existential-spiritual health is of particular significance (t=7.10, P<0.001). Conclusion: The results revealed that spiritual wellbeing, especially the existential type, enhances life expectancy and quality-of-life among HF patients. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare professionals design a comprehensive and supportive care model for the promotion of spiritual wellbeing in HF patients.

Quality of life and psycho-emotional wellbeing in bladder cancer patients and their caregivers: a comparative analysis between urostomy versus ileal orthotopic neobladder

BACKGROUND

The impact of neobladder and urostomy on bladder cancer patient's health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) is controversial and many issues currently remain under-investigated. Initial studies pointed out that the emotional responses of caregivers might be 'contagious', influencing emotional reactions in bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

METHODS

Three hundred and eighty-two bladder cancer patients (aged M = 67.29 years; SD = 9.23) (16.9% (65) were female and 82.9% (319) were male) and their caregivers were enrolled. Data were collected prospectively: at T0 (1 month before the surgery), at T1 (2 weeks after the surgery, at patient discharge from the hospital) and at T2 (6-month follow-up). At each time point (T0, T1 and T2), a set of questionnaires (EORT QLQ-C30 and emotion thermometer) were given to patients and their caregivers.

RESULTS

All patients reported a general improvement in the HR-QoL and global health status/QoL from T0 to T2 (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between neobladder and urostomy. At T0, the emotional thermometer total scoring in caregivers was positive in relation to HR-QoL (p < 0.001) and negative in relation to the patient's perception of QoL (p < 0.001) and global health (p < 0.001). Similar trends were observed at T1 and T2.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that patients and their caregiver's emotional reactions to cancer are deep-rooted and strongly interconnected, and they provide innovative insights for the clinical management of bladder cancer patients.

The Effect of Disclosing Life Expectancy Information on Patients' Prognostic Understanding: Secondary Outcomes From a Multicenter Randomized Trial of a Palliative Chemotherapy Educational Intervention

CONTEXT

Many advanced patients with cancer have unrealistic prognostic expectations.

OBJECTIVES

We tested whether offering life expectancy (LE) statistics within palliative chemotherapy (PC) education promotes realistic expectations.

METHODS

In this multicenter trial, patients with advanced colorectal and pancreatic cancers initiating first or second line PC were randomized to usual care versus a PC educational tool with optional LE information. Surveys at two weeks and three months assessed patients' review of the LE module and their reactions; at three months, patients estimated their LE and reported occurrence of prognosis and end-of-life (EOL) discussions. Wilcoxon tests and proportional odds models evaluated between-arm differences in LE self-estimates, and how realistic those estimates were (based on cancer type and line of treatment).

RESULTS

From 2015 to 2017, 92 patients were randomized to the intervention and 94 to usual care. At baseline most patients (80.9%) wanted "a lot" or "as much information as possible" about the impact of chemotherapy on LE. Among patients randomized to the intervention, 52.0% reviewed the LE module by two weeks and 66.7% by three months-of whom 88.2% reported the information was important, 31.4% reported it was upsetting, and 3.9% regretted reviewing it. Overall, patients' LE self-estimates were very optimistic; 71.4% of patients with colorectal cancer estimated greater than five years; 50% pancreatic patients estimated greater than two years. The intervention had no effect on the length or realism of patients' LE self-estimates, or on the occurrence of prognostic or EOL discussions.

CONCLUSIONS

Offering LE information within a PC educational intervention had no effect on patients' prognostic expectations.

When chemotherapy fails: Emotionally charged experiences faced by family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer

OBJECTIVE

To explore family caregivers' emotional experiences while caring for patients with advanced cancer and navigating distressing information, awareness of dying, and difficult decisions.

METHODS

Qualitative descriptive study of semi-structured interviews with 92 bereaved caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. Interviews explored caregivers' experiences as patients transitioned out of active cancer treatment and neared the end of life.

RESULTS

Included in caregivers' characterization of this transition time were three particularly emotionally charged experiences. The first occurred when caregivers felt jolted into awareness that patients were dying.They were startled to realize that patients would die sooner than expected; some expressed frustration that they had not been adequately warned. In the second, caregivers felt conflicted when involved in decisions that pitted patients' preferences against what caregivers felt patients needed, resulting in ambivalence, guilt, and grief. Thirdly, caregivers who felt they did their best for patients expressed fulfillment and gratitude.

CONCLUSION

Caregivers of patients with advanced cancer face unique, emotionally charged experiences that can lead to distress and affect care at the end of life.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Awareness of these situations may help oncology teams to provide sufficient guidance and support, partner with caregivers to clarify patients' needs, and deliver higher quality care.