Dyspnea and its correlates in Taiwanese patients with terminal cancer

This study prospectively assessed. dyspnea and related bio-pyscho-social-spiritual factors - including severity, cause, psychological distress, and fear of death-that were possibly related to dyspnea in 125 terminal cancer patients at admission and two days before their death. At admission, 74 patients had dyspnea, which improved but later worsened. Causes included cachexia, anemia, pleural effusion, and lymphangitis. Quality of life, anxiety, depression, and fear of death improved after admission,- anxiety was correlated with dyspnea before death (r = 0.211, P<0.05, univariate analysis). Lung injection (odds ratio = 2.29, 95% confidence interval = 0.68-3.90, multiple regression), airway obstruction (2.27, 1.41-3.13), acidemia (1.82, 0.72-2.98), and pericardial effusion (1.38, 0.44-2.32) were independent correlates of dyspnea severity at admission (42.8% of explained variance). Before death, airway obstruction, esophageal cancer, pericardial effusion, lung infection, and mediastinal mass were independent cop-relates Of severity (42.7% of explained, variance). Comprehensive care, including improved psychospiritual status, can. help in controlling dyspnea and. enhancing patients' quality of life. (C) 2004 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved..