Patients with Advanced COPD Less Likely to Receive Palliative Care

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Even though patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can suffer from the same distressing symptoms as those with end-stage cancer, they are less likely to receive palliative care than those with other terminal illnesses.

Even though patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can suffer from the same distressing symptoms as those with end-stage cancer, they are less likely to receive palliative care than those with other terminal illnesses.

A recent Canadian study examined trends in the use of end-of-life care strategies by people with advanced COPD in Ontario, the largest province in Canada, over 10 years.1 Formal palliative care, opioids, and long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) improve quality of life, reduce depression, and lower symptom intensity in patients with advanced COPD, but little is known about how often these strategies are used in patients with COPD. This is the largest study to date looking at this issue.

Click to continue reading on The American Journal of Managed Care.

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