Evaluation of the impact of home palliative care on the quality of life, performance status, and severity of symptoms in patients with advanced breast cancer

Introduction
Palliative care may be defined as an individualised, holistic care for terminally ill patients, aimed at the improvement of the patient’s life quality in the somatic, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects.

Aim of the study
Evaluate the impact of home palliative care on improving quality of life, reducing severity of symptoms, and improving performance in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Material and methods
The study was conducted between May 2016 and December 2018 in 144 patients with advanced breast cancer referred to hospice treatment. The severity of symptoms, performance status, and subjective quality of life were assessed among the patients, the first time on the day of the admission to home hospice care, and the second time on the 28th day of care.

Results
The most severe symptoms reported by patients in the study group were as follows: malaise, lack of appetite, pain, and constipation. After 28 days of home palliative care, a significant improvement in the patients’ quality of life and reduction in the intensity of most symptoms (pain, depression, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dyspnoea, constipation) were noted. No change in patients’ performance status was observed.

Conclusions
Although the implementation of the program of home palliative care was not associated with increase in performance status, it led to a significant decrease in the intensity of most symptoms and an increase in the quality of life of patients within 4 weeks.