Patient reporting and doctor recognition of dyspnoea in a comprehensive cancer centre

The aim of this study was to examine different aspects of dyspnoea in an Australian acute cancer care population, specifically prevalence, recognition, reporting, symptom control methods and prognostic significance. Patients and treating hospital medical officer were concurrently asked to evaluate t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Internal medicine journal 2006-06, Vol.36 (6), p.381-384
Main Authors: Hayes, A. W., Philip, J., Spruyt, O. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Australia
Biological and medical sciences
cancer
Cancer Care Facilities
Diagnostic Errors
Dyspnea - diagnosis
Dyspnea - epidemiology
Dyspnea - therapy
dyspnoea
Female
General aspects
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Neoplasms - complications
Prevalence
Prognosis
recognition
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Summary:The aim of this study was to examine different aspects of dyspnoea in an Australian acute cancer care population, specifically prevalence, recognition, reporting, symptom control methods and prognostic significance. Patients and treating hospital medical officer were concurrently asked to evaluate the experience of dyspnoea. The prevalence of dyspnoea was 33%, with discrepancies observed between patient and doctor reporting of the presence of dyspnoea (P = 0.021), as well as its intensity and distress. Symptomatic methods for the relief of cancer‐related dyspnoea are underused, particularly opioids. The medical underestimation of dyspnoea is consistent with previous studies and potentially detracts from effective management of this symptom.
ISSN:1444-0903
1445-5994
DOI:10.1111/j.1445-5994.2006.01094.x