Current opinion about antimicrobial therapy in palliative care: an update

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Patients with advanced illnesses, such as cancer or dementia, frequently develop infections due to comorbidities and functional decline.
• Antimicrobial therapy is a standard treatment for infections in these patients, posing complex decisions for healthcare providers.
• Balancing compassionate end-of-life care with responsible antibiotic stewardship is a significant challenge in palliative settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the latest research on antimicrobial usage with palliative intent.
• To explore the ethical considerations surrounding antibiotic treatment decisions for patients nearing the end of life.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on antimicrobial use in palliative care.
• Analysis of decision-making processes regarding treatment, withholding, or withdrawal of antimicrobials.

Main Results:

• Antimicrobial treatment can alleviate infection symptoms and improve patient comfort.
• Overuse of antimicrobials carries a broader public health risk due to antimicrobial resistance.
• A limited number of studies published in the last 18 months suggest a potential lack of attention to this issue.

Conclusions:

• Careful consideration is needed to manage infections in palliative care patients effectively and ethically.
• Further research is warranted to address the complexities of antimicrobial stewardship in end-of-life care.
• The balance between symptom relief and antimicrobial resistance must be prioritized.