Characterizing episodic breathlessness in patients with advanced disease
Vera Weingärtner1, Claudia Bausewein, Irene J Higginson
11 Department of Palliative Medicine, Center of Integrated Oncology (BMBF O1KN1106), Cologne/Bonn and Clinical Trials Unit, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany .
Journal of Palliative Medicine
|September 24, 2013
Summary
Episodic breathlessness in advanced diseases is often severe and daily, but short-lived. Current treatments may not match the rapid onset needed for these breathlessness episodes.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Respiratory Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Episodic breathlessness is a distressing symptom in advanced cancer and nonmalignant diseases.
- Limited evidence exists on the specific characteristics of this symptom.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the duration, severity, frequency, and timing of breathlessness episodes in patients with advanced diseases.
- To provide evidence for better management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Explorative analysis of pooled cross-sectional data from UK and German studies.
- Interviews with patients diagnosed with COPD, lung cancer, CHF, or MND.
- Utilized identical questions on episode characteristics and the modified Borg scale for severity.
Main Results:
- 129 patients (61% male, mean age 67) were included.
- Episodes were typically short (75% ≤10 min) and severe (mean Borg 6.5/10).
- Episodes occurred daily, but frequency varied with activity, especially for exertion-triggered events.
Conclusions:
- Findings offer crucial insights into episodic breathlessness characteristics in advanced illness.
- Current short-acting medications may be less effective due to their onset of action relative to episode duration.
- Further research is needed to identify patient-relevant therapeutic targets for effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
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