Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Management of Episodic Dyspnea in Advanced Lung Cancer Outpatients: A...

Episodic dyspnea (ED) is a common problem in patients with advanced lung cancer (LC). However, the prevalence of ED and other related aspects in this patient population is not known. To assess and describe the prevalence, clinical features, treatment, and risk factors for ED in outpatients with advanced LC. Multicenter cross-sectional study. Consecutive sample of adult outpatients with advanced LC. We assessed background dyspnea (BD), the characteristics, triggers, and management of ED. Potential ED risk factors were assessed through multivariate logistic regression. A total of 366 patients were surveyed. Overall, the prevalence of ED was 31.9% (90% in patients reporting BD). Patients reported a median of one episode per day (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-2), with a median intensity of 7/10 (IQR: 5-8.25). ED triggers were identified in 89.9% of patients. ED was significantly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.011), pulmonary vascular disease (p = 0.003), cachexia (p = 0.002), and palliative care (p < 0.001). Continuous oxygen use was associated with higher risk of ED (odds ratio: 9.89; p < 0.001). Opioids were used by 44% patients with ED. ED is highly prevalent and severe in outpatients with advanced LC experiencing BD. The association between intrathoracic comorbidities and oxygen therapy points to alveolar oxygen exchange failure having a potential etiopathogenic role in ED in this population. Further studies are needed to better characterize ED in LC to better inform treatments and trial protocols.