Mini-Suffering State Examination: suffering and survival of end-of-life cancer patients in a hospice setting

2007 Jan 12
01/12/2007
By Abraham Adunsky , Bechor Zvi Aminoff, Marina Arad, Michaela Bercovitch

The objective of this study was to evaluate suffering of end-of-life cancer patients during their final hospice stay and the possible interrelations with survival. A cohort of consecutive patients hospitalized in an inpatient cancer hospice of a tertiary hospital was used for this study. Patients were evaluated upon admission and once weekly by the Mini-Suffering State Examination (MSSE). The distribution of patients for each MSSE score group, changes in MSSE scores (total and for each item of scale), and MSSE interrelation with clinical parameters associated with patients’ condition during hospitalization were studied. In addition, the interrelation of MSSE score and survival was examined. Documentation of a high suffering level by the MSSE scale helps in identifying end-of-life cancer patients expected to benefit from enrollment in a hospice setting, provides quantitative information about various symptom dimensions, and may improve medical management and facilitate communication between these patients and caregivers.

More publications on the subject

PALLIATIVE SOCIAL WORK IN ISRAEL – CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
01/06/2022
Abstract Israel, a young country that constantly absorbs immigrants from different cultures, has a unique social structure. The mosaic of culture and values that
Adapting a palliative care-focused cancer self- and family management intervention for use in Israel
01/08/2022
Abstract Background: In Israel, there is a need to improve quality of life and health outcomes among patients and families facing cancer. Increasing awareness of,
Do Perceptions about Palliative Care Affect Emergency Decisions of Health Personnel for Patients with Advanced Dementia?
01/08/2022
Abstract Decision analysis regarding emergency medical treatment in patients with advanced dementia has seldom been investigated. We aimed to examine the preferred medical treatment
Identifying patients in need of palliative care: Adaptation of the Necesidades Paliativas CCOMS-ICO© (NECPAL) screening tool for use in Israel
01/02/2024
Abstract Objectives: The Necesidades Paliativas CCOMS-ICO© (NECPAL) screening tool was developed to identify patients in need of palliative care and has been used in Israel
Palliative team involvement in end-of-life care for Jewish and Muslim children in Jerusalem: A unique clinical and cultural context
01/02/2024
Abstract Objectives: Pediatric palliative care services improve the quality of life for children with life-limiting and life-threatening diseases, although little has been published about variation
Death education for Palliative care: a european project for University students
21/04/2023
Abstract Background: The need to spread the culture of palliative care and to train health care professionals from undergraduate courses is recognised internationally. The article