TY - JOUR AU - McKenzie, Erin AU - Hwang, Matthew K. AU - Chan, Stephanie AU - Zhang, Liying AU - Zaki, Pearl AU - Tsao, May AU - Barnes, Elizabeth AU - Razvi, Yasmeen AU - Drost, Leah AU - Yee, Caitlin AU - Chow, Edward PY - 2018 TI - Predictors of dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer JF - Annals of Palliative Medicine; Vol 7, No 4 (October 12, 2018): Annals of Palliative Medicine Y2 - 2018 KW - N2 - 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 Conclusions: Liver, lung and lymph node metastases, a history of respiratory conditions, pulse oximetry <90 and PRFS ≥3 were predictive of the severity of dyspnea and moderate/severe dyspnea. Physicians should be aware of predictive factors that could lead to dyspnea to promote early intervention for improved patient care and the creation of screening tools for clinical practice. UR - https://apm.amegroups.org/article/view/20331