Table 3 Percentage of NCD patients corresponding to general and clinical indicators (n = 124)
Indicators of SPICT | Indicatorsa | |
|---|---|---|
Yes (n/%) | No (n/%) | |
General indicators (6 items)b | ||
1. Unplanned hospital admission | 68 (54.8%) | 56 (45.2%) |
2. Performance status is poor or deteriorating, with limited reversibility | 84 (67.7%) | 40 (32.3%) |
3. It depends on others for care due to increasing physical and mental health problems. | 76 (61.3%) | 48 (38.7%) |
4. The person has had significant weight loss over the last few months or remains underweight | 48 (38.7%) | 76 (61.3%) |
5. Persistent symptoms despite optimal treatment of underlying conditions | 109 (87.9%) | 15 (12.1%) |
6. The person (family) ask for palliative care; chooses to reduce, stop or not have treatment or wishes to focus on the quality of life | 12 (9.7%) | 112 (90.3%) |
Clinical Indicator (23 items)c | ||
1. Too frail for cancer treatment or treatment is for symptom control | 26 (21%) | 98 (79%) |
2. Functional ability deteriorating due to progressive cancer | 52 (41.9%) | 72 (58.1%) |
3. Unable to dress, walk or eat without help | 7 (5.6%) | 117 (94.4%) |
4. Eating and drinking less, difficulty with swallowing | 4 (3.2%) | 120 (96.8%) |
5. urinary and faecal incontinence | 0 (0%) | 124 (100%) |
6. Not able to communicate by speaking; little social interaction | 2 (1.6%) | 122 (98.4%) |
7. Frequent falls; fractured femur | 0 (0%) | 124 (100%) |
8. Recurrent febrile episode or infection; aspiration pneumonia | 3 (2.4%) | 121 (97.6%) |
9. Progressive deterioration in physical and/or cognitive function despite optimal therapy | 1 (0.8%) | 123 (99.2%) |
10. Speech problem with increasing difficulty communicating and/or progressive difficulty with swallowing | 2 (1.6%) | 122 (98.4%) |
11. Recurrent aspiration pneumonia: breathless or respiratory failure | 1 (0.8%) | 123 (99.2%) |
12. Persistent paralysis after stroke with significant loss of function and ongoing disability | 1 (0.8%) | 123 (99.2%) |
13. Heart failure or extensive, untreatable coronary artery disease: with breathlessness or chest pain at rest or in minimal effort | 5 (4.0%) | 119 (96.0%) |
14. Severe, inoperable peripheral vascular disease | 4 (3.2%) | 120 (96.8%) |
15. Severe, chronic lung disease; with breathlessness at rest or on minimal effort between exacerbations | 20 (16.1%) | 104 (83.9%) |
16. Persistent hypoxia needing long term oxygen therapy | 4 (3.2%) | 120 (96.8%) |
17. Has needed ventilation for respiratory failure or ventilation is contraindicated | 0 (0%) | 124 (100%) |
18. Stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 30 ml/m) with deteriorating health | 8 (6.5%) | 116 (93.5) |
19. Kidney failure complicating other life-limiting conditions or treatments | 7 (5.6%) | 117 (94.4%) |
20. Stopping or not starting dialysis | 2 (1.6%) | 122 (98.4%) |
21. Cirrhosis with one or more complications in the past year. | 3 (2.4%) | 121 (97.6) |
22. Liver transplant is not possible | 0 (0%) | 124 (100%) |
23. Deteriorating and at risk of dying with others conditions or complications that are not reversible; any treatment available will have a poor outcome | 15 (12.1%) | 109 (87.9%) |