Perspectives of Respiratory Physicians toward Need and Integration of Palliative Care in Advanced Respiratory Diseases.

Objectives: Patients with chronic life-limiting or advanced respiratory diseases often suffer from high symptom burden, requiring palliative care to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life and restore dignity. The present study explored the perception of respiratory physicians and their current practice of integrating palliative care for adult patients with chronic advanced respiratory diseases. Materials and Methods: An exploratory survey method using Google survey forms and SurveyMonkey was emailed to respiratory physicians between December 2020 and May 2021. Results: One hundred and seventy-two respiratory physicians responded to the survey. The majority of respiratory physicians (n = 153; 88.9%) thought that early integration of palliative care early was beneficial. They did not feel referring to palliative care would result in loss of control on patient care (n = 107; 62.21%) and 66 (38.37%) strongly disagreed that the referral would result in a loss of hope in patients. Further exploration into the training needs of respiratory physicians revealed that 121 (70.35%) felt the need for training in end-of-life care. Conclusion: Respiratory physicians in our study had an inclination toward palliative care integration into their routine clinical practice. A majority of them expressed the need to enhance their skills in palliative care. Therefore, concerted efforts at integration and a mutual exchange of knowledge between respiratory physicians and palliative care physicians will ensure that patients with advanced respiratory diseases are provided high-quality palliative care.

COVID-19 - Initial Lockdown: Implications on Cancer Treatment among Palliative Care Outpatients.

Objectives: The pandemic and the lockdown has challenged palliative care patients especially those on palliative oncological treatments. This study aims to understand the effect of COVID-19 and initial lockdown on palliative oncological treatments among palliative care patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who attended the palliative care outpatient clinic, between 21 April and 12 May 2020, was done. Sociodemographic and palliative oncological treatment details were reviewed. Results: Of the 107 patients included, 53.7% were between 40 and 60 years of age, and 58.3% were women. A large proportion (63%) was unemployed and 40.2% had to rent vehicles for hospital travel. During this period, palliative oncological treatment was interrupted or deferred in 20% and 3.5%, respectively. During this period, homecare services were also affected in about 12.2% of our patients. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown have affected the palliative oncological treatment of palliative care outpatients with cancer. The implications of interrupted and deferred treatment on patient outcomes would be seen in the months and years to follow. Palliative care teams should enhance patient and caregiver support and promote non-abandonment and continuum of care during such unprecedented times.

Developing Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines in Palliative Care for Home Care Setting in India.

BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines can improve care and reduce variations in practice. With the growth of The Jimmy S Bilimoria Foundation's PALCARE, a home-based palliative care service launched in December 2015, the foundation felt a need for locally relevant, clinical guidelines to ensure consistency and reliabilty of its service. A Clinical Consultative Committee (CCC) comprising of experienced palliative care professionals, from within and outside India, was constituted to help with the development of robust, evidence-based multidisciplinary clinical guidelines relevant to the delivery of palliative care for adults in a home care setting in Mumbai, India, which could be applied to other similar settings in India and elsewhere. METHODOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT: The CCC developed 39 guidelines under eight categories; using a structured process from the initial draft to its finalization. The CCC vetted each of the guidelines over monthly Skype meetings for validity, relevance, local applicability and reproducibility. Feedback from the PALCARE team was also incorporated. Thirty-nine clinical guidelines relevant to adult palliative care services in home care setting were developed. These have been discussed and found useful by the PALCARE team. The guidelines are available on the PALCARE website for use by wider professional audience. CONCLUSION: Development of clinical guidelines locally for palliative care in a home care setting in response to a felt need to ensure quality care and reduce variation in practice has been beneficial in clinical care. It has proved to be a good teaching resource too. Regular audits to measure practice against these guidelines will ensure better patient outcomes.

Primary palliative care competency framework for primary care and family physicians in India-Collaborative work by Indian Association of Palliative Care and Academy of Family Physicians of India.

The discrepancy in the demand for palliative care and distribution of specialist palliative care services will force patients to be eventually cared for by primary care/family physicians in the community. This will necessitate primary care/family physicians to equip themselves with knowledge and skills of primary palliative care. Indian National Health Policy (2017) recommended the creation of continuing education programs as a method to empower primary care/family physicians. With this intention, a taskforce was convened for incorporating primary palliative care into family/primary care practice. The taskforce comprising of National and International faculties from Palliative Care and Family Medicine published a position paper in 2018 and subsequently brainstormed on the competency framework required for empowering primary care/family physicians. The competencies were covered under the following domains: knowledge, skills and attitude, ethical and legal aspects, communication and team work. The competency framework will be presented to the National Board of Examinations recommending to be incorporated in the DNB curriculum for Family Medicine.

Did I Hear You Right?

As a palliative care physician I am constantly receiving wisdom from my interactions with patients and their families. The situation discussed in this article provides an example of a unique experience, with early requests for euthanasia that transitioned to aggressive end of life care later. Reflecting on this journey has enriched my professional life.

Joint position statement Indian Association of Palliative Care and Academy of Family Physicians of India - The way forward for developing community-based palliative care program throughout India: Policy, education, and service delivery considerations.

PURPOSE: This joint position statement, by the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) and Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI), proposes to address gaps in palliative care provision in the country by developing a community-based palliative care model that will empower primary care physicians to provide basic palliative care. EVIDENCE: India ranks very poorly, 67th of 80 countries in the quality of death index. Two-thirds of patients who die need palliative care and many such patients spend the last hours of life in the Intensive care unit. The Indian National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 and other international bodies endorse palliative care as an essential health-care service component. NHP 2017 also recommends development of distance and continuing education options for general practitioners to upgrade their skills to provide timely interventions and avoid unnecessary referrals. METHODS: A taskforce was formed with Indian and International expertise in palliative care and family medicine to develop this paper including an open conference at the IAPC conference 2017, agreement of a formal liaison between IAPC and AFPI and wide consultation leading to the development of this position paper aimed at supporting integration, networking, and joint working between palliative care specialists and generalists. The WHO model of taking a public health approach to palliative care was used as a framework for potential developments; policy support, education and training, service development, and availability of appropriate medicines. RECOMMENDATIONS: This taskforce recommends the following (1) Palliative care should be integrated into all levels of care including primary care with clear referral pathways, networking between palliative care specialist centers and family medicine physicians and generalists in community settings, to support education and clinical services. (2) Implement the recommendations of NHP 2017 to develop services and training programs for upskilling of primary care doctors in public and private sector. (3) Include palliative care as a mandatory component in the undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate curriculum of family physicians. (4) Improve access to necessary medications in urban and rural areas. (5) Provide relevant in-service training and support for palliative care to all levels of service providers including primary care and community staff. (6) Generate public awareness about palliative care and empower the community to identify those with chronic disease and provide support for those choosing to die at home.

Prognostic Factors of Malignant Pleural Effusion among Palliative Care Outpatients: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has varied survival and indicates advanced disease. LENT prognostic score is the first validated score used for MPE. This study assessed the role of LENT among palliative care cancer patients and assessed different patient, tumor, and treatment related factors that may affect survival. METHODS: A retrospective study of advanced cancer patients with MPE, seen in palliative care outpatient clinic (2013-2015) until death, was done. LENT prognostic score could be calculated in 15 patients. Patient, tumor, and treatment related factors that affect survival were assessed. RESULTS: The study included 48 patients (70.8% female; 29.2% male) with a median age of 53 years. Lung (41.7%) was the most common primary, and adenocarcinoma (44.7%) was the most common histology. The median overall survival (OS) was 14.5 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.25-32.75) and median survival time (ST) was 3 months (IQR: 1-7.75). ST was significantly low with poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (P = 0.002), bilateral effusion (P < 0.001), and with no oncological treatment after MPE diagnosis (P < 0.001). OS and ST were significantly low with lung primary (P = 0.006 and 0.02, respectively). Age, gender, breathlessness, tumor histology, lung metastasis, and interventions for MPE did not significantly affect survival. The median ST in the moderate and high risk LENT groups was 6 and 3 months, respectively (P = 0.16). CONCLUSION: ECOG performance status, bilateral effusion, and no oncological treatment after diagnosis of MPE were associated with poor ST. Lung primary was associated with shorter OS and ST. Small numbers precluded any definitive conclusion on the prognostic value of LENT in our group of patients, and hence larger studies are recommended.

Improving malodour management in advanced cancer: a 10-year retrospective study of topical, oral and maintenance metronidazole.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relative effectiveness of topical or oral metronidazole used for malodour in necrotic cancers and to propose a protocol for metronidazole usage in managing malodour. METHODS: A retrospective case note review of the management of malodour over 10 years comparing outcomes with topical, intermittent and maintenance oral metronidazole. RESULTS: Among 179 patients treated for malodour, the commonest primaries were cervical (45%), and head and neck cancers (40%). Outcomes were poor during the period when only topical or intermittent oral metronidazole was used. Topical use gradually decreased (97% vs 55%) and the proportion of patients receiving maintenance oral metronidazole increased (0% in 2003-2004 vs 93% in 2011). Concurrently, there was reduction in documented malodour (12.5% of visits per patient in 2003-2004 vs 1.5% in 2011, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our data support formulary guidelines recommending maintenance metronidazole for recurrent malodour. Dimethyl trisulfide, a product of anaerobic necrosis causes malodour and can attract maggot-producing flies to decaying tissues. Therefore, to reduce anaerobic malodour in vulnerable settings, we propose a ladder for metronidazole titration. High-risk patients should start with 400 mg thrice daily ×7 days and continue 200 mg once daily. The SNIFFF severity (Smell-Nil, Faint, Foul or Forbidding) can guide follow-up dosage: 200 mg once daily to continue for nil or faint smell; breakthrough courses of 400 mg thrice daily ×1 week for foul smell and 2 weeks for forbidding smell, followed by 200 mg once daily.The effectiveness and limitations of maintenance metronidazole and the SNIFFF ladder should be prospectively evaluated.

Unusual sites of metastases of carcinoma cervix.

We present a case of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma cervix with solitary bone metastases to the right tibia and multiple cutaneous metastases. A woman aged 52 years with cancer of the cervix and lung metastases, after 21 months of initial diagnosis and palliative chemotherapy presented with pain in the right knee and multiple nodular skin lesions. Bone scintigraphy revealed intense increased tracer activity in the proximal and mid shaft of the right tibia. Biopsy from the tibial lesion confirmed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The presentation, diagnosis and management of this rare case are discussed.

Oral and gastrointestinal symptomatic metastases as initial presentation of lung cancer.

Metastasis to the tongue, duodenum or pancreas from primary lung cancer is uncommon. Primary lung cancer presenting with symptoms related to metastases at these sites, at initial presentation is extremely rare. We report a 45-year-old man with disseminated lung malignancy who presented with dyspepsia, melena, symptoms due to anaemia and swelling in the tongue. Oral examination revealed a hard submucosal anterior tongue lesion. Biopsies from the tongue lesion and the duodenal ulcer seen on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were suggestive of metastasis from lung primary. CT revealed lung primary with disseminated metastasis to lung, liver, adrenals, kidneys, head and body of pancreas, duodenum and intra-abdominal lymph nodes. The patient was treated with palliative chemotherapy. The unusual presentation and diagnostic details are discussed.

The patient who 'must not be told': demographic factors associated with collusion in a retrospective study in South India.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer need adequate information about diagnosis, treatment options, and possible outcomes and prognosis to make therapeutic decisions. In cultures where the family plays the dominant role in healthcare decisions, doctors are often requested to collude in withholding distressing information from the patient. This challenging situation has not been well studied and there is limited knowledge on the different factors that may contribute to collusion. OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of collusion among adult cancer patients attending a palliative care outpatient clinic and the contributing factors. METHODS: The healthcare records of 306 adult cancer patients who had visited the palliative care outpatient clinic at least three times with follow-up until death were retrospectively reviewed. Details on information shared and why it was not shared were retrieved from the documentation in the communication sheet in the patient chart. The prevalence, sociodemographic and clinical factors that could contribute to collusion in doctor-patient communication were studied. RESULTS: Collusion was present in 40% of cases at the time of referral to the palliative care outpatient clinic (collusion regarding diagnosis in 18%; collusion regarding prognosis in 40%). Collusion was later addressed in 35%. Collusion was significantly higher among female patients (p=0.005), manual workers (p=0.035), those not accompanied by a spouse (p=0.000) and with no oncological treatment (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Collusion regarding diagnosis or prognosis is common among cancer patients referred for palliative care. It was more prevalent among female patients, manual workers, patients who had not received oncological treatment, and patients not accompanied by a spouse.

Colonic metastasis in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid: a rare occurrence.

We present a case of intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid with late local recurrence and colonic metastasis. A 69-year-old man who had undergone right total conservative parotidectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy for intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma 10 years prior, presented with a recurrent swelling in the postoperative site and cardiac failure. On evaluation, he was found to have severe anaemia with positive stool occult blood. Colonoscopic evaluation revealed a globular submucosal bulge with erosion 40 cm from the anal verge, the biopsy of which was consistent with mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The presentation, diagnostic details and management of this rare case are discussed.

Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is treated with radiotherapy, corticosteroids, and surgery, but there is uncertainty regarding their comparative effects. This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in theCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Issue 4, 2008). OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy, surgery and corticosteroids in MESCC. SEARCH METHODS: In March 2015, we updated previous searches (July 2008 and December 2013) of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, CANCERLIT, clinical trials registries, conference proceedings, and references, without language restrictions. We also contacted experts for relevant published, unpublished and ongoing trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of radiotherapy, surgery and corticosteroids in adults with MESCC. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three authors independently screened and selected trials, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. We sought clarifications from trial authors. Where possible, we pooled relative risks with their 95% confidence intervals, using a random effects model if heterogeneity was significant. We assessed overall evidence-quality using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: This update includes seven trials involving 876 (723 evaluable) adult participants (19 to 87 years) in high-income countries. Most were free of the risk of bias. Different radiotherapy doses and schedulesTwo equivalence trials in people with MESCC and a poor prognosis evaluated different radiotherapy doses and schedules. In one, a single dose (8 Gray (Gy)) of radiotherapy (RT) was as effective as short-course RT (16 Gy in two fractions over one week) in enhancing ambulation in the short term (65% versus 69%; risk ratio (RR) was 0.93, (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.04); 303 participants; moderate quality evidence). The regimens were also equally effective in reducing analgesic and narcotic use (34% versus 40%; RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.16; 271 participants), and in maintaining urinary continence (90% versus 87%; RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.1; 303 participants) in the short term (moderate quality evidence). In the other trial, split-course RT (30 Gy in eight fractions over two weeks) was no different from short-course RT in enhancing ambulation (70% versus 68%; RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.9 to 1.15; 276 participants); reducing analgesic and narcotic use (49% versus 38%; RR 1.27, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.67; 262 participants); and in maintaining urinary continence (87% versus 90%; RR 0.97, 0.93 to 1.02; 275 participants) in the short term (moderate quality evidence). Median survival was similar with the three RT regimens (four months). Local tumour recurrence may be more common with single-dose compared to short-course RT (6% versus 3%; RR 2.21, 95% CI 0.69 to 7.01; 303 participants) and with short-course compared to split-course RT (4% versus 0%; RR 0.1, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.72; 276 participants), but these differences were not statistically significant (low quality evidence). Gastrointestinal adverse effects were infrequent with the three RT regimens (moderate quality evidence), and serious adverse events or post-radiotherapy myelopathy were not noted.We did not find trials comparing radiotherapy schedules in people with MESCC and a good prognosis. Surgery plus radiotherapy compared to radiotherapyLaminectomy plus RT offered no advantage over RT in one small trial with 29 participants (very low quality evidence). In another trial that was stopped early for apparent benefit, decompressive surgery plus RT resulted in better ambulatory rates (84% versus 57%; RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.90; 101 participants, low quality evidence). Narcotic use may also be lower, and bladder control may also be maintained longer than with than RT in selected patients (low quality evidence). Median survival was longer after surgery (126 days versus 100 days), but the proportions surviving at one month (94% versus 86%; RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.24; 101 participants) did not differ significantly (low quality evidence). Serious adverse events were not noted. Significant benefits with surgery occurred only in people younger than 65 years. High dose corticosteroids compared to moderate dose or no corticosteroidsData from three small trials suggest that high-dose steroids may not differ from moderate-dose or no corticosteroids in enhancing ambulation (60% versus 55%; RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.45; 3 RCTs, 105 participants); survival over two years (11% versus 10%; RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.24 to 5.05; 1 RCT, 57 participants); pain reduction (78% versus 91%; RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.20; 1 RCT, 25 participants); or urinary continence (63% versus 53%; RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.13; 1 RCT, 34 participants; low quality evidence). Serious adverse effects were more frequent with high-dose corticosteroids (17% versus 0%; RR 8.02, 95% CI 1.03 to 62.37; 2 RCTs, 77 participants; moderate quality evidence).None of the trials reported satisfaction with care or quality of life in participants. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on current evidence, ambulant adults with MESCC with stable spines and predicted survival of less than six months will probably benefit as much from one dose of radiation (8 Gy) as from two doses (16 Gy) or eight doses (30 Gy). We are unsure if a single dose is as effective as two or more doses in preventing local tumour recurrence. Laminectomy preceding radiotherapy may offer no benefits over radiotherapy alone. Decompressive surgery followed by radiotherapy may benefit ambulant and non-ambulant adults younger than 65 years of age, with poor prognostic factors for radiotherapy, a single area of compression, paraplegia for less than 48 hours, and a predicted survival of more than six months. We are uncertain whether high doses of corticosteroids offer any benefits over moderate doses or indeed no corticosteroids; but high-dose steroids probably significantly increases the risk of serious adverse effects. Early detection; and treatment based on neurological status, age and estimated survival, are crucial with all treatment modalities. Most of the evidence was of low quality. High-quality evidence from more trials is needed to clarify current uncertainties, and some studies are in progress.

Radiation Pneumonitis After Conventional Radiotherapy For Breast Cancer: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Loco-regional radiotherapy is an important treatment modality in breast cancer and radiation pneumonitis (RP) is one of the early toxicities. AIM: To study the occurrence, correlation of RP with patient and radiotherapy related factors and the effects on pulmonary function following conventional radiotherapy in breast cancer. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study, from a tertiary hospital in a developing country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of clinical symptoms, pulmonary function and radiologic changes was done prior to and 12 weeks after adjuvant radiotherapy (n=46). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 10 software. RESULTS: Radiological and clinical RP was seen in 45.65% (n=21) and 19.56% (n=9) respectively. RP was significantly higher with age >50 years (OR 4.4), chest wall irradiation with electrons, (electrons 83.3% vs cobalt60 32.4%, p=0.02) and supraclavicular field treatment with 6 MV photons (p= 0.011). There was significant relationship between Inferior Lung Distance (ILD) and RP (p=0.013). The fall in Total Lung Capacity (TLC) was significantly more in those with RP (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Clinical RP occurs in almost one-fifth of breast cancer patients treated with conventional radiotherapy. Chest wall irradiation with electrons, supraclavicular field irradiation with 6 MV photons, higher ILD and age >50 years was associated with increased RP. The pulmonary function parameter most affected was TLC. The factors associated with increased RP should be considered when adjuvant radiotherapy is planned to minimize its likelihood and intervene appropriately.

Nebulised furosemide in the palliation of dyspnoea in cancer: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Dyspnoea is experienced by approximately two-thirds of cancer patients at the end-of-life. Despite the use and assessment of various interventions, palliation of dyspnoea poses a clinical challenge. The benefit of nebulised furosemide in the palliation of dyspnoea among cancer patients remains uncertain. This systematic review was conducted to study the effectiveness of nebulised furosemide for dyspnoea in cancer, to ascertain the most appropriate dose and adverse effects, and to quantify the effects on respiratory rate, oxygenation status, observer-rated dyspnoea and opioid dose. METHODS: A systematic literature search of four databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials database and CINAHL) was carried out to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of nebulised furosemide for dyspnoea in cancer patients. RESULTS: The review identified 91 articles of which two RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The included RCTs had sample sizes of 7 and 15, respectively. Neither of the RCTs showed an improvement in dyspnoea with nebulised furosemide. Meta-analysis was not possible as the RCTs measured different domains of dyspnoea using different tools. Neither RCT highlighted significant adverse effects. Other outcomes of interest were not studied in the RCTs. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from this review, which is limited by the small number of RCTs and small sample size, does not show benefit with nebulised furosemide for the alleviation of dyspnoea in cancer. Adequately powered multicentre double-blinded RCTs are warranted to further define the potential role of this drug in the palliation of dyspnoea in advanced cancer.