1604P - A comparative study of symptom prevalence between adults and elderly patients with advanced cancer diagnosis under palliative care: A single institution experience

Background

Analysis of the most common prevalent symptoms among patients with advanced cancer diagnosis is needed in order to reach the most appropriate interventions leading to improved quality of life of these patients. The aim of this study is to report on the overall symptom prevalence among patients with advanced cancer diagnosis under palliative care and to analyze the difference of symptom prevalence between elderly (≥ 65 years) and adult (<65 years) patients.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 400 patients with advanced cancer who were admitted under palliative care between 1^st January 2017 to December 31^st, 2021. Data were retrieved from electronic medical records.

Results

Anorexia (91%), fatigue (98%), drowsiness (84%) and pain (83%) were the highest 4 prevalent symptoms for the whole group, followed by depression (76%) and anxiety (72%). Adult patients had significant higher pain (80% versus 76%), depression (83% versus 68%) and anxiety (77% versus 65%), compared to elderly (≥ 65 years) patients. On multivariate analysis, pain only was significantly higher in adult patients (p=0.021). The reported percentage of symptom prevalence for the whole group is higher than that in the literature, indicating late referral to palliative care.

Conclusions

There is a high percentage of symptom prevalence among our patients and a short median overall survival that indicates late referral to palliative care. Adult patients had significantly higher pain, depression, and anxiety compared to elderly patients. An earlier integration of palliative care is recommended in the overall management of our patients.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Medical Research Center.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.