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Background and Aims: End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, comparable to a large extent to other organ insufficiencies. The need for palliative care (PC) in patients with ESLD is high. In Portugal, in the only identified study, more than 80% of patients hospitalized with ESLD had criteria for PC. No results specified which needs they identified or their transplantation prospect status. Methods: Prospective observational study including 54 ESLD patients who presented to a university hospital and transplantation center, between November 2019 and September 2020. Assessment of their PC needs through the application of NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© and IPOS, considering their transplantation perspective status. Results: Of the 54 patients, 5 (9.3%) were on active waiting list for transplantation and 8 (14.8%) under evaluation. NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© identified 23 patients (n = 42.6%) that would benefit from PC. Assessment of PC needs by clinicians, functional markers and significant comorbidities were the most frequent criteria (47.8%, n = 11). IPOS also revealed a different sort of needs: on average, each patient identified about 9 needs (8.9 ±2.8). Among the symptoms identified, weakness (77.8%), reduced mobility (70.3%), and pain (48.1%) stood out, as well as the psychoemotional symptoms of depression (66.7%) and anxiety (77.8%). There were no significant differences between the subgroups of patients analyzed. Only 4 patients (7.4%) were followed by the PC team. Conclusion: All the ESLD patients included, independently of the group they belonged to, presented with PC needs. No significant differences between the subgroups of patients were identified, confirming that even patients with a transplantation prospect have important needs for PC.

Abstract In hospitalized patients the prevalence of constipation is high, especially among elderly patients. Constipation impacts significantly the quality of life of patients and is associated with increased morbidity and length of hospital stay. This retrospective observational study intended to identify the prevalence of constipation in patients hospitalized in an internal medicine ward. In a sample of 80 patients, the median age was 79 years and 53% (n = 42) were women. We identified constipation in 68% (n = 56) of the patients during hospitalization. The medical team prescribed treatment only to 70% of those patients. Constipation was responsible for delirium in 11% of patients and 5% suffered urinary retention. This study shows constipation is prevalent among patients admitted in an internal medicine ward. Systematic assessment of this problem can improve the overall care of the patients, alleviate symptoms, and prevent complications.

Introduction: End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is the advanced phase of most liver diseases. The cure is liver transplantation (LT), only available for a minority of patients. This review summarizes the evidence regarding palliative care (PC) in ESLD patients awaiting LT. Methods: Review of the literature available in Medline, Scopus and Web of Knowledge, with keywords ESLD and PC. Results: Fifteen of the 230 articles reviewed met the inclusion criteria. Ten main themes were addressed: symptom burden; perspectives of life-sustaining treatment and comfort for patients, families and health professionals; goals of care discussions; patient and family needs; quality of life; PC and survival; referral to PC, barriers and opportunities; integration of PC; outpatient care and cost-effectiveness analysis. The referral of patients to PC was only evaluated in a few studies, all of which reported low referral rates. Better knowledge of how PC professionals can support other professionals was considered important, and also better ways to integrate PC were considered essential. Conclusion: ESLD patients awaiting LT have a significant need for PC and, despite the insufficient response, were reported to benefit from this type of care. Future research is essential to determine the means to overcome barriers and better integrate PC for ESLD patients awaiting LT.

Background: Oesophageal cancer patients have poor survival, and most are unfit for curative or systemic palliative treatment. This article aims to review the best supportive care for oesophageal cancer, focusing on the management of its most frequent or distinctive symptoms and complications. Methods: Evidence-based review on palliative supportive care of oesophageal cancer, based on Pubmed search for relevant clinical practice guidelines, reviews and original articles, with additional records collected from related articles suggestions, references and societies recommendations. Results: We identified 1075 records, from which we screened 138 records that were related to oesophageal cancer supportive care, complemented with 48 additional records, finally including 60 records. This review summarizes the management of oesophageal cancer-related main problems, including dysphagia, malnutrition, pain, nausea and vomiting, fistula and bleeding. In recent years, several treatments have been developed, while optimal management is not yet standardized. Conclusion: This review contributes toward improving supportive care and decision making for oesophageal cancer patients, presenting updated summary recommendations for each of their main symptoms. A robust body of evidence is still lacking, and the best supportive care decisions should be individualized and shared.

We made a cross-sectional study aimed at 50 professionals (18 doctors, 32 nurses) of a tertiary hospital Internal Medicine (IM) ward, focusing the relevant knowledge in various areas of Patient-Centered Care in Chronic Disease: symptom control, pharmacology and palliative prognostic discussion. Almost 98% believe that most patients need strategies for symptomatic care, which died in hospital in considerable suffering (68%). Provision of palliative care in the community was rarely established with the primary health team. 90% were favourable on the creation of a hospital palliative care team. Around 57% find essential to prognosticate before thinking about mitigation strategies. While 75% of professionals had already discussed end-of-life directives with, at least, one patient, only one case could be formalized in writing. The rate of use of scales for assessing the intensity of pain was less than 50% and 38% did not indicate major opioids for the treatment of moderate intensity pain. These were considered contra-indicated for relief of dyspnoea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 20% of professionals and 55% of those were unaware that its use and titration is governed by the same principles used in pain control. Around 44% of the respondents had already used the subcutaneous route for administration of drugs and 58% for hydration. Despite the team recognition of the potential for suffering of patients and the need for mitigation strategies, they remain linked to prognosis and not to symptomatic complexity. There are gaps in regard to control of pain, dyspnoea and in continuity of care.