| Abstract | INTRODUCTION: To better understand current practice relating to artificial nutrition/hydration in terminal cancer patients, we enrolled terminal cancer patients who were admitted at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital for supportive care only and who died with a duration of hospital stay to death of more than 1 week between 2003 and 2004. We detailed oral intake and intravenous nutrition/hydration status on admission, 1 week after admission, and 2 days before death. Administered calories and changes in these according to time and "DNR" (do-not-resuscitate) status were noted. RESULTS: Of the total 165 patients, oral intake was possible in 84 patients (50.9%) on admission, in 79 patients (47.8%) on 1 week after admission, and in 29 patients (17.5%) 2 days before death (p < 0.01). Intravenous nutrition/hydration was administered to 133 patients (80.6%) on admission, to 125 patients (75.7%) at 1 week, and to 137 patients (83.0%) 2 days before death (p = 0.7). The calories administered to the patient by oral intake were 393 kcal on admission, 353 kcal 1 week after admission, and 89 kcal 2 days before death. In addition, the calories delivered by intravenous fluid were 369, 386 and 465 kcal, respectively. Near to death, calories by oral intake continuously reduced (p < 0.01) and intravenous calories continuously increased (p = 0.04), but total administered calories reduced (p = 0.03). Intravenous nutrition/hydration stopped after the attainment of the advance directive of DNR in 9% of patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed the high prevalence of artificial nutrition/hydration, especially intravenous infusion, in Korean terminal cancer patients compared with situation in other countries. More studies are needed to verify the efficacy of artificial nutrition/hydration in terminal cancer patients. |
| Authors | Do Youn Oh, Jee Hyun Kim, Se Hoon Lee, Dong Wan Kim, Seock Ah Im, Tae You Kim, Dae Seog Heo, Yung Jue Bang, Noe Kyeong Kim
(Affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-Dong, Chongno-Gu, Seoul, South Korea. ohdoyoun at snu.ac.kr)
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| Journal | Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
(Support Care Cancer)
Vol. 15
Issue 6
Pg. 631-6
(Jun 2007)
ISSN: 0941-4355 Germany |
| PMID | 17102940
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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| Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Feeding Behavior
- Female
- Fluid Therapy
(methods, statistics & numerical data)
- Humans
- Korea
- Length of Stay
(statistics & numerical data)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasms
(therapy)
- Nutritional Support
(methods, statistics & numerical data)
- Patient Acceptance of Health Care
(statistics & numerical data)
- Patient Compliance
- Resuscitation Orders
- Terminal Care
(methods, statistics & numerical data)
- Terminally Ill
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