1 research outputs found
Factors associated with awareness of palliative care among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to
respiratory morbidities and mortalities. Despite its importance in alleviating
respiratory consequences, palliative services and awareness in COPD patients
worldwide is currently limited. The objectives of this study were to measure the
prevalence of COPD patients with an awareness that palliative care (PC) is part
of COPD care, and to evaluate factors associated with patients’ PC awareness.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted on COPD patients visiting
2 tertiary hospitals from July to December 2018. A questionnaire containing
demographic factors, the severity of COPD, and questions on PC perceptions
was developed. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were recruited. Factors
associated with PC awareness were assessed by multivariate logistic regression
analysis.
Results
A total of 280 patients were recruited (91.1% male) with median
age of 73 years (IQR: 65–78), median FEV1% predicted was 62 (IQR: 47–
80), and 22.6% were aware of PC. Only 19 patients (6.8%) were advised by
their doctor about advanced care planning (ACP). Factors associated with PC
awareness were: age (p=0.014), mMRC score (p=0.01), knowing the term
PC (p<0.001), knowing the term CPR (p=0.004), having an ACP (p=0.049),
knowing the term ‘living will’ (p<0.001) and having had discussions with their
healthcare providers on PC issues (p=0.037). Multivariate regression analysis
showed that the only factor associated with PC awareness was a lower mMRC
score (AOR=0.67; 95% CI: 0.51–0.87).
Conclusions
PC awareness in COPD patients was low. Discussions on
PC issues between healthcare providers and patients were not widespread.
Suggestions for policy implications and future research are needed