Table 1 Unbearable aspects in the domain “Medical signs and symptoms” (n=60)
From: The broad spectrum of unbearable suffering in end-of-life cancer studied in dutch primary care
Unbearable, score 4 or 5a | Aspect present | |
|---|---|---|
% (n) | % (n) | |
Aspect of suffering | ||
Domain 1: Medical signs and symptoms | ||
Weakness | 57 (34) | 93 (56) |
General discomfort | 37 (22) | 80 (48) |
Tiredness | 35 (21) | 87 (52) |
Pain | 25 (15) | 72 (43) |
Loss of appetite | 25 (15) | 62 (37) |
Not sleeping well | 25 (15) | 47 (28) |
Changed appearance | 22 (13) | 78 (47) |
Vomiting | 20 (12) | 27 (16) |
Shortness of breath | 19 (11) | 59 (35) |
Impaired co-ordination | 18 (11) | 57 (34) |
Loss of concentration | 17 (10) | 40 (24) |
Incomprehensible speech | 15 (9) | 32 (19) |
Memory loss | 15 (9) | 43 (26) |
Nausea | 13 (8) | 28 (17) |
Smelling unpleasant | 13 (8) | 35 (21) |
Impaired hearing | 13 (8) | 33 (20) |
Swallow food impaired | 12 (7) | 36 (21) |
Feeling depressed | 12 (7) | 34 (20) |
Feeling tense | 12 (7) | 44 (26) |
Dizziness | 12 (7) | 27 (16) |
Constipation | 12 (7) | 30 (18) |
Impaired mental clarity | 12 (7) | 42 (25) |
Thirst | 12 (7) | 45 (27) |
Hiccups | 10 (6) | 22 (13) |
Intestinal cramps | 8 (5) | 22 (13) |
Itch | 7 (4) | 32 (19) |
Impaired sight | 7 (4) | 42 (25) |
Swallow fluid impaired | 7 (4) | 23 (14) |
Diarrhea | 7 (4) | 20 (12) |
Feeling anxious | 7 (4) | 27 (16) |
Incontinence of feces | 7 (4) | 8 (5) |
Coughing | 5 (3) | 38 (23) |
Pressure ulcers | 3 (2) | 8 (5) |
Impaired comprehension of speech | 3 (2) | 7 (4) |
Skin metastasis | 2 (1) | 3 (2) |
Paralyzed limbs | 2 (1) | 5 (3) |
Incontinence of urine | 0 (0) | 10 (6) |
Rounded percentages and absolute numbers; between 0 and 1 missing observations per aspect | ||