Palliative Care Support Improves Quality of Life of Patients with Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease.

BACKGROUND

We sought to analyze the effect of a palliative care intervention on quality of life (QoL) in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD).

DESIGN

This was a prospective observational study including 14 patients with fILD treated with a bundle of care provided by multidisciplinary specialists in pain and palliative care, a psychologist, physical therapists, and a nutritionist, with all patients initiating 10 mg of morphine sulfate. Measurements at baseline, 30 days, and 90 days included cough, dyspnea, pain, tiredness, nausea, depression, anxiety, sleepiness, appetite, and difficulty sleeping. QoL was recorded using the modified St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-1). Change over time in each endpoint was analyzed.

RESULTS

Baseline assessment reflected an impaired QoL (median SGRQ-1, 91 points). All symptom scores improved at 90 days, with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 20-point decrease in the SGRQ-1 (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Palliative care intervention improves symptom and QoL in fILD.