Beyond Cancer: Differences in Psychosocial Burden Between Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer Diagnoses Assessed Using the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale.

Background/

Objectives

The Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS) was developed for use in patients with advanced, life-limiting conditions. This study aimed to apply the IPOS in an inpatient hospice setting in Poland, incorporating both patient- and healthcare staff-reported perspectives in cancer and non-cancer populations.

Methods

Patients' needs were assessed in 112 individuals (86 patients with cancer [C] and 26 with non-cancer diagnoses [nC]) using the Polish version of the IPOS. Assessments were conducted twice: within 24 h of admission (A1) and after 7 days (A2).

Results

The mean age of the study population was 73.9 ± 11.9 years, and 63 patients (56.2%) were male. At A1, the total IPOS score reported by staff was significantly lower than that reported by patients (p < 0.01), primarily due to lower scores in the psychosocial domain (p < 0.001), while somatic domain scores were comparable. At A2, no significant changes were observed in total IPOS scores or in any domain in either patient- or staff-reported assessments. At A1, total IPOS scores did not differ significantly between C and nC groups. However, psychosocial domain scores were higher in the nC group (p < 0.01). Patients with non-cancer conditions reported higher levels of anxiety (p < 0.05), as well as greater needs related to feeling at peace (p < 0.01), sharing feelings (p < 0.05), and access to information (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the multidimensional nature of suffering and highlight the need for more comprehensive recognition and assessment of psychosocial needs in palliative care patients, particularly those with non-cancer diagnoses.