[Palliative care of patients with terminal obstructive pulmonary disease]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2011 Oct 17;173(42):2641-4.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Terminal chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and advanced cancer have similar prognosis and symptom burden. However, palliative care of patients with terminal COPD has been neglected in Denmark. We describe the symptoms of terminal COPD and suggest criteria for defining the palliative phase of the disease. Furthermore we discuss the prognostic and ethical challenges for patients, their families and their caregivers. Finally, we summarize the current evidence for palliative treatment of dyspnoea and ways to evaluate response to treatment.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Caregivers / psychology
  • Denmark
  • Dyspnea / drug therapy
  • Dyspnea / nursing
  • Dyspnea / therapy
  • Humans
  • Palliative Care* / methods
  • Palliative Care* / organization & administration
  • Professional-Family Relations
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Prognosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / nursing
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / therapy*
  • Terminal Care* / methods
  • Terminal Care* / organization & administration