RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and sociodemographic profile of cancer patients admitted to the Emergency Center for High Complexity Oncologic Assistance, observing the coverage of palliative and home care. METHOD: Cross sectional study including adult cancer patients admitted to the emergency service (September-December/2011) with a minimum length of hospital stay of two hours. Student's t-test and Pearson chi-square test were used to compare the means. RESULTS: 191 patients were enrolled, 47.6% elderly, 64.4% women, 75.4% from the city of Recife and greater area. The symptom prevalent at admission was pain (46.6%). 4.2% of patients were linked to palliative care and 2.1% to home care. The most prevalent cancers: cervix (18.3%), breast (13.6%) and prostate (10.5%); 70.7% were in advanced stages (IV, 47.1%); 39.4% without any cancer therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients sought the emergency service on account of pain, probably due to the incipient coverage of palliative and home care. These actions should be included to oncologic therapy as soon as possible to minimize the suffering of the patient/family and integrate the skills of oncologists and emergency professionals.
Assuntos
Serviços Médicos de Emergência/estatística & dados numéricos , Neoplasias/terapia , Cuidados Paliativos/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Brasil , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Serviços de Assistência Domiciliar , Hospitalização/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Manejo da Dor , Distribuição por Sexo , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
SUMMARY Objective: To describe the clinical and sociodemographic profile of cancer patients admitted to the Emergency Center for High Complexity Oncologic Assistance, observing the coverage of palliative and home care. Method: Cross sectional study including adult cancer patients admitted to the emergency service (September-December/2011) with a minimum length of hospital stay of two hours. Student’s t-test and Pearson chi-square test were used to compare the means. Results: 191 patients were enrolled, 47.6% elderly, 64.4% women, 75.4% from the city of Recife and greater area. The symptom prevalent at admission was pain (46.6%). 4.2% of patients were linked to palliative care and 2.1% to home care. The most prevalent cancers: cervix (18.3%), breast (13.6%) and prostate (10.5%); 70.7% were in advanced stages (IV, 47.1%); 39.4% without any cancer therapy. Conclusion: Patients sought the emergency service on account of pain, probably due to the incipient coverage of palliative and home care. These actions should be included to oncologic therapy as soon as possible to minimize the suffering of the patient/family and integrate the skills of oncologists and emergency professionals.
RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o perfil clínico e sociodemográfico de pacientes oncológicos atendidos na emergência de um Centro de Alta Complexidade em Oncologia, observando a cobertura dos cuidados paliativos e assistência domiciliar. Método: estudo de corte transversal com adultos oncológicos atendidos na emergência (setembro a dezembro de 2011) e tempo de permanência superior a 2 horas. Usaram-se teste t-Student de comparação de médias e qui-quadrado. Resultados: participaram 191 pacientes, 47,6% idosos, 64,4% mulheres e 75,4% procedentes de Recife e região metropolitana. Dor (46,6%) foi o sintoma prevalente à admissão. Os pacientes sob cuidados paliativos eram 4,2% e sob atenção domiciliar, 2,1%. Os cânceres mais frequentes foram colo uterino (18,3%), mama (13,6%) e próstata (10,5%), sendo 70,7% em estadios avançados (IV, 47,1%) e 40% sem terapia oncológica. Conclusão: a procura da emergência por causa de dor deveu-se, provavelmente, à baixa cobertura de cuidados paliativos e atenção domiciliar, os quais precisam ser associados precocemente à terapia oncológica para minimização do sofrimento dos pacientes/familiares e integrar as competências de oncologistas e profissionais de emergências.
