TY  - JOUR
T1  - Prevalence of Palliative Needs and Screening Accuracy of Psychological Symptoms Using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale
A1  - Pamela D Moore
A1  - Ayuk Patricia
A1  - Zhe-Sheng Chen
JF  - Journal of Integrative Nursing and Palliative Care
JO  - J Integr Nurs Palliat Care
SN  - 3006-5550
Y1  - 2021
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
DO  - 10.51847/WBgNCX5SZy
SP  - 66
EP  - 74
N2  - Individuals receiving palliative care often face substantial symptom burdens that affect both themselves and their families. Emotional distress, including depression and anxiety, should not be considered a normal part of advanced illness; it requires routine assessment, timely intervention, and ongoing monitoring. Psychological distress has been associated with worse physical symptoms, increased suffering, and higher mortality in patients with cancer. Comprehensive yet concise tools are needed to capture both physical and psychosocial needs, and the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) is one such measure. This study aimed to evaluate the palliative care needs of patients and to examine how accurately IPOS items related to anxiety and depression identify psychological distress. A multicentre observational study was conducted in nine Portuguese healthcare settings using convenience sampling. Eligible participants were adults (≥18 years) with a diagnosis of incurable or life-limiting illness who were cognitively able to consent. Patients experiencing acute distress or cognitive impairment were excluded. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics. The diagnostic performance of IPOS anxiety and depression items was evaluated against the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis. Of 1,703 individuals screened between July 2015 and February 2016, 135 (7.9%) met inclusion criteria. The majority were excluded for being healthy (75.2%), largely from high-volume primary care centres. Participants had a mean age of 66.8 years (SD 12.7), with 43% female, and 80.7% had a cancer diagnosis. The most frequently reported concerns included anxiety among family or friends (36.3%), personal anxiety about illness (13.3%), and feelings of depression (9.6%). Applying a threshold score of 2/3, the IPOS items for anxiety and depression achieved AUC values above 70%, demonstrating acceptable screening accuracy. Psychological, familial, and spiritual needs were the most prominent concerns among this palliative population, highlighting that physical symptoms may be better managed than non-physical issues. Routine implementation of the IPOS could support healthcare teams in identifying and monitoring psychosocial distress, improving holistic, patient-centred care for both patients and their families.
UR  - https://journalinpc.com/article/prevalence-of-palliative-needs-and-screening-accuracy-of-psychological-symptoms-using-the-integrated-qonu0yrwq2dddhv
ER  -