@article{APM20331,
author = {Erin McKenzie and Matthew K. Hwang and Stephanie Chan and Liying Zhang and Pearl Zaki and May Tsao and Elizabeth Barnes and Yasmeen Razvi and Leah Drost and Caitlin Yee and Edward Chow},
title = {Predictors of dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer},
journal = {Annals of Palliative Medicine},
volume = {7},
number = {4},
year = {2018},
keywords = {},
abstract = {Background: More than 70% of patients with advanced cancer experience dyspnea. Dyspnea is predictive of shorter survival and interferes with quality of life (QOL). The present study aimed to identify predictors of the presence and severity of dyspnea in advanced cancer patients.
Methods: A prospective database collected from patients attending a palliative radiotherapy clinic was analyzed for patient demographics, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) scores, Patient-Reported Functional Status (PRFS), history of smoking and respiratory conditions, pulse oximetry readings, and primary cancer site. Using the ESAS shortness of breath item, dyspnea was classified as mild [1–3], moderate [4–6] or severe [7–10]. Logistic regression analysis and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to identify predictors of the severity of dyspnea and presence of moderate/severe dyspnea (ESAS ≥4) at patients’ first visit and over time, respectively.
Results: A total of 252 patients with dyspnea data were included (median age 71.3 years, 61.5% male, 44.4% had dyspnea) in a demographic analysis. Multivariable analysis showed liver metastases (P=0.01, OR =2.04), a history of respiratory conditions (P=0.03, OR =2.09) and PRFS ≥3 (P=0.03, OR =1.75) were predictive of the severity of dyspnea at the first visit. Analyzed over time, liver metastases (P=0.02, OR =1.80), lymph node metastases (P=0.02, OR =1.79), a history of respiratory conditions (P=0.006, OR =2.50) and pulse oximetry },
issn = {2224-5839}, url = {https://apm.amegroups.org/article/view/20331}
}