The influence of sociodemographic factors, course of therapy, social relations and knowledge about disease on survival time of patients with advanced neoplastic diseases in palliative care

Aim of the study: To analyze the influence of sociodemografic and some risk factors as well as patients knowledge, social relations and religions practices on survival time of patients in terminal phase of neoplastic diseases, as well as the influence of sex and place of residence on frequency of use of palliative care.

Material and methods: Questionnaire examination of 1028 patients, inhabitants of Hrubieszów district (mean age 66.5 ±12.5; 418 female) under ambulatory palliative care in years 1993-2009 was performed.

Results: Mean survival time was 81 days. Everyday visits friends, radiotherapy and lack in of neoplastic diseases histories in family (22 days, OR = 1.60, p = 0.0076, 95% CI: 1.13-2.25; 18 days, OR = 1.91, p = 0.002, 95% CI: 1.26-2.88 and 10 days OR = 1.56, p = 0.0105, 95% CI: 1.11-2.21 respectively) were the independent factors prolonging the survival time. The frequency of use of palliative care is greater for city than rural residents (35.1% vs. 64.9%; p = 0.0003 respectively).

Conclusions: Independent factors prolonging the survival time are everyday visits friends, radiotherapy and lack of neoplastic diseases histories in family. The frequency of use of the palliative care is greater for city inhabitants.