Patterns of dignity-related distress at the end of life: a cross-sectional study of patients with advanced cancer and care home residents.

To provide effective palliative care in different settings, it is important to understand and identify the sources of dignity-related distress experienced by people nearing the end of life. To describe and compare the sources of dignity-related distress reported by cancer patients and care home residents. Secondary analysis of merged data. Participants completed the Patient Dignity Inventory (assessing 25 sources of dignity-related distress) and measures of quality of life and depression. A total of 45 adult patients with advanced cancer referred to hospital-based palliative care teams in London, United Kingdom, and 60 residents living in one of 15 care homes in London. Care home residents were older and had poorer functioning. Both groups reported a wide range of dignity-related problems. Although the number or problems reported on the Patient Dignity Inventory was similar for the two groups (mean (standard deviation): 5.9 (5.5) for cancer patients and 4.1 (4.3) for care home residents, p = 0.07), there was a tendency for more cancer patients to report some existential problems. Experiencing physically distressing symptoms and functional limitations were prevalent problems for both groups. Patient Dignity Inventory problems were associated with poorer performance status and functioning for residents, with age and cognitive impairment for cancer patients and with poorer quality of life and depression for both groups. Although characteristics of the samples differed, similarities in the dignity-related problems reported by cancer patients and care home residents support research suggesting a common pathway towards death for malignant and non-malignant disease. A wider understanding of the sources of dignity-related distress would help clinicians provide more effective end-of-life care.

Hall S ，Davies JM ，Gao W ，Higginson IJ ... -  《-》

Symptom burden, loss of dignity, and demoralization in patients with cancer: a mediation model.

Demoralization is a syndrome of existential distress that occurs in a substantial minority of cancer patients and is associated with a higher number of physical problems. Loss of dignity refers to a range of specific existential concerns. This study examines whether the association between number of physical problems and demoralization is mediated by loss of dignity. This cross-sectional study examined N = 112 inpatients with mixed tumor sites at early and advanced disease stages using the following standardized self-report questionnaires: Physical problems list of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer (DT), Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), Demoralization Scale (DS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Illness-Specific Social Support Scale Short Version-8 (ISSS-8). The mediation hypothesis was tested by multiple regression analyses controlling for age, gender, curative versus palliative treatment phase, and social support. Patients reported M =  .7 (SD = 6.0) dignity-related problems; 20% showed moderate to severe demoralization. Loss of dignity significantly mediated 81% of the effect of the number of physical problems on demoralization (Sobel zs = 4.4, p < .001). Testing the reverse direction, we found that demoralization mediated only 53% of the association between physical problems and loss of dignity (zs = 3.7, p < .001). By supporting the mediation hypothesis, our results indicate that loss of dignity partially explains the association between physical problems and demoralization. Early recognition of dignity-related existential concerns and interventions to enhance the sense of dignity may prevent demoralization in patients with cancer. Results provide a conceptual link between existential concerns (loss of dignity) and existential distress (demoralization) as two approaches to existential suffering in patients with cancer.

Vehling S ，Mehnert A 《-》

A prospective evaluation of Dignity Therapy in advanced cancer patients admitted to palliative care.

Houmann LJ ，Chochinov HM ，Kristjanson LJ ，Petersen MA ，Groenvold M ... -  《-》

Relationship between symptom burden, distress, and sense of dignity in terminally ill cancer patients.

Maintaining a sense of dignity in terminally ill patients and enabling a dignified dying are important aims of palliative care. To evaluate the impact of symptom burden, distress, overall condition, and individual patient characteristics on self-perceived dignity in terminally ill cancer patients. In this cross-sectional study, 61 patients were recruited through a palliative care inpatient ward within 48 hours after admission. Patients completed the Patient Dignity Inventory, a modified version of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer, and a single-item scale rating subjective of overall condition. Sociodemographic parameters and performance status were taken from the patients' records. Dignity total score correlated highest with lack of energy (P<0.001), anxiety (P<0.001), sadness (P=0.002), pain (P=0.009), shortness of breath (P=0.019), irritability (P=0.023), thirst (P=0.029), and tiredness (P=0.041). Psychological symptoms showed more consistent associations with the different dignity dimensions than physical symptoms except for the dependency dimension. Psychological distress correlated with all dignity dimensions: symptom distress (P<0.001), existential distress (P<0.001), dependency (P=0.020), peace of mind (P<0.001), and social support (P=0.024). Overall condition was significantly associated with existential distress (P=0.013), but not with symptom distress, dependency, peace of mind, or social support. Performance status showed significant association with dependency (P=0.001). Self-perceived dignity in terminally ill cancer patients is significantly associated with physical as well as psychological symptoms, distress, overall condition, performance status, and comorbidities. Knowledge of these specific interactions is essential for adequate, comprehensive palliative care.

Oechsle K ，Wais MC ，Vehling S ，Bokemeyer C ，Mehnert A ... -  《-》

The patient dignity inventory: a novel way of measuring dignity-related distress in palliative care.

Chochinov HM ，Hassard T ，McClement S ，Hack T ，Kristjanson LJ ，Harlos M ，Sinclair S ，Murray A ... -  《-》