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Table 3 Group differences between non-cancer (N = 87) vs. cancer patients (N = 300) in percentage of patients suffering from moderate/severe intensities of certain symptoms and problems

From: Comparison of terminally ill cancer- vs. non-cancer patients in specialized palliative home care in Germany – a single service analysis

Symptoms and problems

Non-cancer (N = 87)

Cancer (N = 300)

Level of significance

Pain

10 (12 %)

35 (12 %)

p = 1.00

Respiratory, cardiac

10 (12 %)

22 (7 %)

p = .246

Neurologic, psychiatric, psychological

13 (15 %)

24 (8 %)

p = .049

Gastrointestinal

7 (8 %)

33 (11 %)

p = .529

Urogenital

4 (5 %)

15 (5 %)

p = 1.00

Ulcerated wounds/ tumours

3 (3 %)

6 (2 %)

p = .419

Assistance with defecation

76 (87 %)

223 (74 %)

p = .001

Assistance with bladder function (permanent catheter)

41 (47 %)

88 (29 %)

p = .001

Deterioration of vigilance (somnolent/comatose)

26 (30 %)

34 (11 %)

p = .001

Social situation

8 (9 %)

16 (5 %)

p = .192

Ethical conflicts

5 (6 %)

15 (5 %)

p = .779

Problems in social law issues

3 (3 %)

8 (3 %)

p = .711

Burden of social support system

7 (8 %)

30 (10 %)

p = .670

Existential crisis

5 (6 %)

12 (4 %)

p = .542