Table 2 Unbearable aspects in the domains “Loss of function”, “Personal aspects”, “Environment” and “Nature and prognosis of disease” (n=60)
From: The broad spectrum of unbearable suffering in end-of-life cancer studied in dutch primary care
Unbearable, score 4 or 5b | Aspect present | |
|---|---|---|
% (n) | % (n) | |
Aspect of suffering | ||
Domain 2: Loss of function | ||
Impaired routine daily activities | 55 (33) | 83 (50) |
Impaired leisure activities | 50 (30) | 82 (49) |
Help needed with housekeeping | 42 (25) | 71 (42) |
Bedridden | 32 (19) | 56 (33) |
Help needed with self-care | 22 (13) | 60 (36) |
Impaired working capacityc | 12 (7) | 17 (10) |
Impaired sexuality | 5 (3) | 14 (8) |
Domain 3: Personal aspects | ||
Feeling dependent on others | 45 (27) | 80 (48) |
Not able to do things you consider important | 42 (24) | 63 (36) |
Trouble accepting the present situation | 33 (20) | 60 (36) |
Loss of control over your own life | 27 (16) | 30 (18) |
Negative thoughts or worrying | 15 (9) | 32 (19) |
Hopelessness | 13 (8) | 28 (17) |
Feeling a nuisance to others | 13 (8) | 38 (23) |
Feeling lonely (intrapersonal) | 10 (6) | 20 (12) |
Feeling not any longer being the same person | 10 (6) | 28 (17) |
Feelings of worthlessness | 10 (6) | 22 (13) |
Feeling tired of life | 9 (5) | 17 (10) |
Feeling of no longer being important to others | 8 (5) | 18 (11) |
Experienced little happiness with family/friends | 8 (5) | 22 (13) |
Not satisfied with your own self | 7 (4) | 12 (7) |
Feelings of guilt | 5 (3) | 12 (7) |
Lived a life with little purpose | 3 (2) | 8 (5) |
Experienced little success in life | 2 (1) | 10 (6) |
Domain 4: Environment | ||
Relatives consider your suffering too severe | 16 (9) | 33 (19) |
Practical loneliness (no one present for you) | 12 (7) | 15 (9) |
Insufficient availability of care | 8 (5) | 12 (7) |
Unsatisfactory social contacts | 3 (2) | 8 (5) |
Insufficient support (family, friends, those nearby) | 2 (1) | 5 (3) |
Shame (socially embarrassing symptoms) | 2 (1) | 2 (1) |
Domain 5: Nature and prognosis of disease | ||
Fear of future suffering | 17 (10) | 40 (24) |
Fear of future failing strength to bear suffering | 10 (6) | 25 (15) |
Rounded percentages and absolute numbers; between 0 and 3 missing observations per aspect | ||