The final phase in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML): A study on bleeding, infection and pain

• Published in: Leukemia research 2003-06, Vol.27 (6), p.481-488
• Main Authors: Stalfelt, Ann Marie, Brodin, Håkan, Pettersson, Solveig, Eklöf, Anna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Acute leukaemia; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use; Attitude to Death; Biological and medical sciences; Bleeding; Cause of Death; Female; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Hemorrhage - physiopathology; Humans; Infection; Infection - physiopathology; Leukemia, Myeloid - drug therapy; Leukemia, Myeloid - mortality; Leukemia, Myeloid - physiopathology; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Morphine - therapeutic use; Nursing documentation; Pain; Pain - physiopathology; Palliative care; Palliative Care - methods; Palliative medicine; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; Terminal Care - methods
• ISSN: 0145-2126; 1873-5835
• DOI: 10.1016/S0145-2126(02)00262-X

To increase the knowledge of the final phase of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) a retrospective review of the medical and nursing records of 106 adult patients with AML who had died in 1995–1997 was made. A total of 27 patients were treated with curative intent at the time of death and 79 patients were prescribed palliative care. From the documentation, an evaluation of the frequency and severity of bleeding and pain episodes was made during their last week in life, and the occurrence of infection criteria was studied. Notations on bleeding were found in 44%, infection in 71% and pain in 76% of the patients. In 54% of the morphine administration days, no information on the effect of given morphine treatment was registered. To give AML patients in the final phase, the best possible treatment, skills in palliative medicine and palliative care are important.