Intensity of end-of-life care for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: Findings from a large national database

Sean A. Fletcher, Angel M. Cronin, Amer M. Zeidan, Oreofe O. Odejide, Steven D. Gore, Amy J. Davidoff, David P. Steensma, Gregory A. Abel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND As the population ages, the prevalence of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) will increase, and many patients with MDS will require end-of-life (EOL) care. Little is known about the intensity of EOL care received by patients with these malignancies. METHODS Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database and standard EOL quality measures, we assessed the prevalence and predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in the last 30 days of life, chemotherapy in the last 14 days of life, and hospice enrollment among MDS patients who were 65 years old or older and died between 2006 and 2011. RESULTS Of 6,955 patients, 28% were admitted to the ICU and 7% received chemotherapy near the EOL, while 49% enrolled in hospice. In multivariable models, patients dependent on red blood cell or platelet transfusions at the EOL were less likely to enroll in hospice (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.78). Nonwhite patients were less likely to enroll in hospice (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67-0.89) and more likely to be admitted to the ICU near the EOL (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03-1.38). Finally, the prevalence of hospice enrollment increased in later years (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS The intensity of EOL care for patients with MDS varies but is potentially suboptimal with respect to the traditional measure of hospice use. The lower odds of enrollment for transfusion-dependent patients suggest that the current hospice model, which largely disallows transfusions, may not be meeting the palliative needs of this population. Cancer 2016;122:1209-15.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1209-1215
Number of pages7
JournalCancer
Volume122
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 2016

Keywords

  • end-of-life care
  • health services
  • hematologic malignancies
  • myelodysplastic syndromes
  • quality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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