End-of-Life Symptoms in Adult Patients With Stroke in the Last Two Years of Life: An Integrative Review

Stroke is a leading cause of death globally, yet End-of-Life (EOL) symptoms and their management in these patients are not well understood.

This integrative review aims to critique and synthesize research on EOL symptoms and symptom management in adult patients with stroke in the last 2 years of life in all settings.

The Whittemore and Knafl integrative review methodology guided this review. PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were used for the literature search. Included studies were published in English and quantitatively examined symptoms and symptom management. Quality appraisal was guided by the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) assessment tool.

Seven studies, all rated weak, were included in this review. A total of 2175 adult patients from six countries were represented. Results are classified into three main themes: EOL symptom experience, symptom assessment, and symptom management. Commonly reported EOL symptoms among adults with stroke include both stroke-specific (dysphagia, dysarthria) and non-specific symptoms (pain, dyspnea, constipation, and psychological distress). However, communication difficulties and the infrequent use of standardized tools for symptom assessment limit what is known about the EOL symptom experience. Although the relief of pain is generally well-documented, dyspnea and anxiety are much more poorly controlled.

There is a need for better assessment and management of EOL symptoms in patients with stroke. Established palliative and EOL care guidelines need to be incorporated into clinical practice to ensure access to high-quality care.