Symptom burden in chronically ill homebound individuals

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Palliative Care
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Homebound populations represent a vulnerable group with complex health needs.
• Symptom burden significantly impacts the quality of life for chronically ill individuals.
• Effective management of symptoms is essential for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the extent of symptom burden in urban homebound patients.
• To identify prevalent symptoms and their severity in this population.
• To inform healthcare providers about the symptom management needs of homebound adults.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted.
• The study involved individuals newly enrolled in the Mount Sinai Visiting Doctors (MSVD) program.
• The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) was used to measure 10 key symptoms.

Main Results:

• 43% of 318 participants reported severe burden in at least one symptom.
• Commonly reported symptoms included appetite loss, lack of well-being, tiredness, and pain.
• Depression, pain, appetite, and shortness of breath scored highest in severity.

Conclusions:

• Symptom burden is a substantial problem in chronically ill homebound adults.
• These symptom burdens require integrated management alongside primary and specialty care.
• Healthcare strategies must prioritize addressing the multifaceted symptom experiences of homebound patients.