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How should we measure emesis in palliative care?
Carina Saxby1, Rajeena Ackroyd, Sarah Callin
1Palliative Medicine, Yorkshire Deanery, Leeds, UK.
Palliative Medicine
|September 29, 2007
Summary
Researchers reviewed tools for measuring nausea, vomiting, and retching in palliative care. No single ideal assessment tool currently exists for this complex patient group, highlighting a need for further development.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Medicine
- Symptom Assessment
- Clinical Research Tools
Background:
- Numerous tools exist to assess emesis (nausea, vomiting, and retching).
- Palliative care patients often present with cognitive impairment and comorbidities, complicating symptom assessment.
- A systematic review was needed to evaluate existing tools for this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the validity and suitability of emesis assessment tools for palliative care.
- To identify the most evidence-based tools for use in palliative care settings.
- To guide recommendations for tool selection and further validation.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of electronic databases (1970-2004).
- Inclusion of both specific and global assessment tools.
- Evaluation based on validity, reliability, and suitability for palliative care patients.
Main Results:
- Several emesis assessment tools were identified and reviewed.
- Consensus was reached on tools with the strongest evidence for specific palliative care scenarios.
- No single ideal measurement tool for nausea, vomiting, and retching has been developed.
Conclusions:
- Existing tools vary in validity and suitability for palliative care.
- Further validation studies are recommended for certain tools.
- Development of an ideal assessment tool for emesis in palliative care remains a priority.
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