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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Palliative Care in Cancer Patients in Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina M. Beltran-Aroca

    (Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Universidad de Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain)

  • Rafael Ruiz-Montero

    (Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Avenida Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain)

  • Antonio Llergo-Muñoz

    (UGC Cuidados Paliativos, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Avenida Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain)

  • Leticia Rubio

    (Department of Human Anatomy and Legal Medicine, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Eloy Girela-López

    (Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Universidad de Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has severely affected healthcare organizations worldwide, and the provision of palliative care (PC) to cancer patients has been no exception. The aim of this paper was to analyse the levels of health care provided by the Clinical Management Unit for PC in Córdoba (Spain) for cancer patients. Method: a retrospective cohort study was conducted. It analyzed the PC internal management database including all cancer patients treated in the period of 2018–2021. Results: 1967 cases were studied. There was a drop in cancer cases ( p = 0.008), deaths at the PC hospital ( p < 0.001), and referrals from primary care ( p < 0.001). However, there was a rise in highly complex clinical situations ( p = 0.020) and in ECOG performance status scores of 3–4 ( p < 0.001). The pandemic was not shown to be a risk factor for survival in the PC program (0.99 [0.82–1.20]; p = 0.931). However, being female ( p = 0.005), being older and having a high Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score ( p < 0.001) could be indicators of a longer stay. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a challenge in the management of patients requiring PC and has highlighted the urgent needs of the healthcare system if it is to continue providing a level of care which meets the needs of patients and their families.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina M. Beltran-Aroca & Rafael Ruiz-Montero & Antonio Llergo-Muñoz & Leticia Rubio & Eloy Girela-López, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Palliative Care in Cancer Patients in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:11992-:d:679616
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