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Impact of Early Palliative Care to Improve Quality of Life of Advanced Cancer Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
*Corresponding author: Made Satya Nugraha Gautama, Joint Degree Master Student, School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan and Master of Nursing Program, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. satyanugraha.g@gmail.com
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Received: ,
Accepted: ,
How to cite this article: Gautama MS, Damayanti A, Khusnia AF. Impact of early palliative care to improve quality of life of advanced cancer patients: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Indian J Palliat Care 2023;29:28-35.
Abstract
Palliative care is often started late in patients with life-threatening conditions, particularly in patients with advanced cancer. However, with the emergence of the early palliative care (EPC) paradigm, their quality of life (QoL) may be better. Although several previous meta-analyses support the effectiveness of EPC in increasing QoL, essential issues related to the optimisation of EPC interventions are still needed. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to determine the effectiveness of EPC on the QoL of patients with advanced cancer. PubMed, ProQuest, MEDLINE through EBSCOhost and Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov (register website) were searched for RCTs published before May 2022. Data synthesis used the Review Manager 5.4 to generate pooled estimates of effect size. A total of 12 empirical trials met the eligibility criteria and were included in this study. The results showed that EPC intervention had a significant effect (standard mean difference = 0.16, 95% confidence interval: 0.04, 0.28, Z = 2.68, P < 0.05). However, the secondary outcomes showed including mood (mean difference = −0.90, 95% CI: −2.32, 0.51, P > 0.05) and symptom controls (MD = −1.49, 95% CI: −3.81, 0.81, P > 0.05) had no significant effect. EPC is effective in improving the QoL of patients with advanced cancer. However, other outcomes still need to be reviewed, because the review of QoL is not enough to generalise the benchmarks for the effectiveness and optimisation of EPC interventions. Another notable aspect is to consider the most effective and efficient duration for starting and ending EPC interventions.
Keywords
Early palliative care
Quality of life
Mood
Symptoms
Advanced cancer
Meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION
In standard cancer care, palliative care is generally initiated when it is proven that disease-modifying treatment is not working, no treatment is available, or death is anticipated.[1,2] Meanwhile, early palliative care (EPC) starts much earlier in the course of the disease and is closer to the diagnosis of incurable cancer.[3]
As a new paradigm, EPC reduces the limitations of wider access to palliative care for patients with progressive and incurable cancer.[4] Patients with cancer who are newly diagnosed with advanced cancer on receiving initiation of palliative care will gain increased understanding of their prognosis.[5-7]
Some studies show that EPC is recommended, because it can affect the quality of life (QoL) compared to standard cancer care among patients with advanced cancer specifically for patients with solid tumours.[8-10] EPC is possible to affect the psychological, physical symptoms, proper relationships, effective communication and support in decision-making. However, the timing of EPC interventions continues to be debated and there is a lack of evidence needed for patients to introduce this approach by adjusting the individual situation to achieve patient expectations and a better QoL.[4]
The previous studies revealed a significant increase in QoL after receiving EPC. One recent study included symptoms, while another included symptom intensity as an outcome with non-significant results, but the results are inconclusive due to the low sample size, did not discuss the impact of EPC on QoL in general and did not involve recent studies.[3,11] Accordingly, a new study is needed to strengthen the evidence, whether the application of EPC is effective in improving the main outcome which is the QoL of patients with advanced cancer.
METHODS
Reporting standard
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses was used to conduct and guide the current review.
Search strategies
A comprehensive literature search in the electronic database of PubMed, ProQuest, MEDLINE through EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov (register website) was conducted in May 2022. The literature search was performed using keywords, subject headings (MeSH terms) and Boolean operators based on the PICO approach. Populations (‘advanced cancer’ OR ‘metastatic cancer’ OR ‘metastatic neoplasms’), intervention (‘early palliative care’), comparator (‘standard oncology care’) and outcome (‘quality of life’ OR ‘symptoms’ OR ‘mood’).
Study eligibility
The inclusion criteria were studies that: (a) Focused on adult patients (≥18 years) with advanced cancer/metastatic cancer, (b) randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of EPC in patients with cancer, (c) were originally published in English language and (d) outcomes of interest of patient with quality were QoL, symptom control and psychological issues. Studies that assessed EPC in populations other than patients with cancer, were systematic reviews, protocol studies and observational studies and had an outcome or/and intervention not appropriate were excluded from this study.
Study selection
Initial screening was done by two reviewers who independently screened potential titles and abstracts of relevant studies. The full text of the studies that met the inclusion criteria was retrieved and independently evaluated for inclusion by the three reviewers. Further, discussion was done to overcome any disagreement during study selection.
Data extraction
The three reviewers independently extracted the following information from each trial: first author, years publication, participants characteristic (sample size, age and cancer criteria), intervention characteristic (EPC and standard oncology care), measurement (instruments and time completion) and outcomes.
Quality assessment
The methodological quality of the included RCTs was assessed by three reviewers independently using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB 2) tool to assess (RoB 2) in randomised trials.[12] We evaluated five domains of bias, including bias due to the randomisation process, bias due to deviations from the intended interventions, bias due to missing outcome data, bias due to measurement of the outcome and bias due to selection of the reported data.
Data synthesis and analysis
The Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4 version was used to perform all analysis (Cochrane Collaboration, http://ims.cochrane.org/revman ). Heterogeneity was assessed using forest plots that used both Q (a significant result that indicates statistical heterogeneity)[13] and I2 (a significant result that indicates methodological heterogeneity) statistics. Values of 25%, 50% and 75% indicate low, moderate and high heterogeneity, respectively.[14] A random-effects model was applied to calculate the pooled results if I2 ≥ 50%; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was used. Forest plot graphics were generated to present the pooled effect. The standard mean difference (SMD) and mean difference (MD), with corresponding 95% confidence interval(CI), were used to calculate the effect size. SMD was calculated, where the same outcome was reported but using different measurement tools. All tests were two-sided and P < 0.05 was statistically significant.
RESULTS
Search process
After searching in the five databases and a trial register website, a total of 1213 articles were retrieved. For these articles, we conducted a duplicate check using reference manager (Endnote) either automatically or manually, preliminary screening (title and abstract) and full-text reading for screening. Finally, there were 12 papers with RCTs design that met the criteria of this meta-analysis. [Figure 1] shows the detailed search process and results.
- Flowchart for study selection according to PRISMA Declaration 2020. PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.
Critical appraisal of quality
[Figure 2] shows the quality assessment of the included studies: 11 trials had low risk and one had some concern in the bias due to the randomisation process, eight trials had low risk and four had some concern in the bias due to deviation from intended intervention, ten trials had low risk and one had some concern in the bias due to missing outcome data, ten trials had low risk, one trials some concern and one had high risk in the bias due to measurement of the outcome. In terms of the bias selection due to selection report results, all included trials were of low risk. Overall, six trials were of low risk, four trials were of some concern and two trials were of high risk (one trial had bias due to the assessment of the outcome that was influenced by knowledge of the intervention received and one trial had bias in missing outcome due to high loss to follow-up rate during the intervention).
- (a and b) Quality assessment of included trials.
Included trials’ characteristics
The essential characteristics of the included trials are shown in [Table 1]. In total, 12 trials assessing the impact of EPC intervention on patients with advanced cancer either solid or haematological cancer. Of the 12 trials, one trial was a cluster-RCTs,[15] two were multicentre-RCT,[16,17] and the others were parallel-RCTs.[18-25] The included trials were published from 2010 to 2022. The number of participants ranged from 120 to 461. EPC interventions were conducted in hospital and outpatient settings, involving oncologists, nurses and family members. All trials evaluated QoL as primary outcomes with several differences of tool measurement.
| Author (year) | Participant characteristic | Intervention | Control | Measurement | Main Outcome | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample size | Age (Mean±SD) | Advanced Cancer criteria | |||||
| Temel et al.[7] | n=350 (I: 175 C:175) | I: 64.03 (10.46) C: 65.64 (11.26) | Incurable lung (NSCLC, small-cell, or mesothelioma) or non-colorectal gastrointestinal | The core intervention of EPC was consultation and follow-up by a palliative care physician and nurse | Usual oncology care | FACT-G scale, PHQ-9; 3) The HADS | QoL, mood |
| Zimmermann et al.[15] | n=461 (I: 228 C: 233) | I: 61.2 (12.0) C: 60.2 (11.3) | Stage III and IV cancer | Consultation and follow-up in the oncology palliative care clinic by palliative care physician and nurse | Control group did not have the same standardised monthly follow-up. | FACIT-Sp, QUAL-E, ESAS | QoL, Quality of life in end of life, Symptoms |
| Maltoni et al.[16] | n=207 (I: 107 C: 100) | I: 67 (43–85) C: 66 (31–84) | Metastatic or locally advanced inoperable pancreatic cancer | EPC had an appointment scheduled with a PC specialist who had a predefined checklist of issues to be addressed during the consultation. | The standard arm was not scheduled to meet the PC team. | The FACT-Hep scale, The HADS | QoL, symptoms, mood |
| Franciosi et al.[17] | n=281 (I: 142 C: 139) | I: 68.5 (12) C: 68 (11) | NSCLC, pancreatic, gastric, or biliary tract cancer | The core intervention was consultation and follow-up by the Specialised PC Team | Standard treatments | FACT-G scale | QoL |
| Bakitas et al.[18] | n=207 (I: 104 C: 103) | I: 64.03 (10.28) C: 64.6 (9.59) | Advanced-stage solid tumour or hematologic malignancy | ENABLE a telehealth early PC model | Usual oncology care | FACIT-Pal, CES-D | QoL, mood |
| Chen et al.[19] | n=120 (I: 60 C: 60 | I: 61.42±11.48 C: 64.62±10.50 | Confirmed IIIB/ IV stage metastatic NSCLC | Early palliative care group integrated with standard oncologic care | Standard oncology care | FACT-L scale, The HADS | QoL, psychological state/mood |
| Vanbutsele et al.[20] | n=186 (I: 92 C: 94) | I: 64.5 (57.3-71.0) C: 65.0 (57.0–71.0) | Advanced cancer diagnosis a solid tumour | Systematic early integration of palliative care in oncological care | Usual oncological care | The EORTC QLQ C30 | QoL |
| Vanbutsele et al.[21] | n=358 (I:91 C:94) | 18–54 yo: I (19); C (18) 55–64 yo: I (43); C (46) 65–85 yo: I (29); C (32) | Advanced cancer with life expectancy of 12 months | Consultation with nurses from the PC team within 3 weeks of enrolment and monthly | Standard care without follow-up | The EORTC QLQ C30 | QoL |
| Temel et al.[22] | n=151 (I:77 C:74) | I: 64.98±9.73; C: 64.87±9.41 | Metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer | Comprehensive assessment and assisting with decision making. | Patient only met with the PC team on demand of the patient | FACT-L scale, The LCS | QoL, well-being |
| Patil et al.[23] | n=180 (I: 90 C:90) | I: 47.5 (40–57.3); C: 50 (42.7–57.3) | Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (Stage IV) | The EPC arm followed-up with the palliative care department every month for 3 months | Standard oncologic care | FACT-H&N, The ESAS-r | QoL, symptoms burden |
| Eychmüller et al.[24] | n=150 (I: 74 C: 76) | I: 67.3 (59.0±74.7); C: 67.3 (58.0±74.9) | Diagnosis of a tumour stage not amenable or not responsive to curative treatment | Early palliative care intervention | Usual oncology care | FACT-G; 2 The Palliative Care Outcome Scale | QoL, quality of care |
| Scarpi et al.[25] | n=186 (I: 66 C:65) | I: 70 (36–84); C: 69 (34–89) | Diagnosis of metastatic gastric cancer | Standard care plus systematic EPC | Standard care plus on-demand EPC | The FACT-Ga, TOI | QoL, TOI |
EPC: Early palliative care, QoL: Quality of life, FACT-Ga: Functional assessment of cancer therapy-gastric, FACT-G: Functional assessment of cancer therapy-general, ESAS-r: Edmonton symptom assessment system-revised, FACT-H&N: Functional assessment of cancer therapy for head and neck cancer, LCS: Lung cancer subscale, EORTC QLQ C30: European organisation for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire, HADS: Hospital anxiety and depression scale, FACIT-Pal: Functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-palliative care, PHQ-9: Patient health questionnaire-9, FACT-G scale: Functional assessment of cancer therapy-general, ENABLE: Educate, nurture, advise, before life ends, TOI: Trial outcome index, FACT-L: Functional assessment of cancer therapy-lung, FACT-Hep: Functional assessment of cancer therapy hepatobiliary, FACIT-Sp: Functional assessment of chronic illness therapy – Spiritual well-being, QUAL-E: Quality of life at the end of life scale, ESAS: Edmonton symptom assessment system, FACT-H&N: Functional assessment of cancer therapy for head and neck cancer, CES-D: Centre for epidemiologic studies- depression scale
QoL meta-analysis
All trials evaluated the impact of EPC on QoL patients with advanced cancer. A total of 2364 participants were available for synthesis. For the EPC group compared with the standard care group, the result showed that EPC intervention had a significant effect (SMD = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.28, Z = 2.68, P < 0.05; [Figure 3]). Heterogeneity was considerably moderate (I2 = 52%).
- Forest plot for comparing early palliative care versus usual care; outcome: Quality of life.
Mood meta-analysis
The outcome of mood was obtained from two trials and 447 participants were synthesised.[18,19] [Figure 4] indicates that the effect of EPC intervention on mood was not statistically significantly different (MD = −0.90, 95% CI: −2.32, 0.51, P > 0.05) and no heterogeneity was detected (I2 = 0%).
- Forest plot for comparing early palliative care versus usual care; outcome: Mood.
Symptom meta-analysis
The outcome of symptom was obtained from two trials and 507 participants were synthesised.[15,18] [Figure 5] indicates that the effect of EPC on symptoms had no significant effect (MD=−1.49, 95% CI: −3.81, 0.81, P > 0.05) and no heterogeneity was detected (I2 = 0%).
- Forest plot for comparing early palliative care versus usual care; outcome: Symptom.
DISCUSSION
A meta-analysis of these 12 trials determined the effect of EPC interventions on patients with advanced cancer. This study reviewed and synthesised the effects of the EPC on the QoL, symptom control and mood in patients with advanced cancer.
The results revealed that QoL in the EPC group was significantly higher than in the standard cancer care. Compared to usual palliative care, initiating EPC or after diagnosis of advanced cancer is related to improving QoL, satisfaction with care and also improves patient understanding of their disease prognosis.[3,5,26] The results of Shih et al.[11] reveal a significantly higher overall QoL in the intervention group than in the control group at 3 and 6 months after the intervention. QoL in cancers with longer survival is better than those with shorter survival.[11] This varied nature may affect the effectiveness of EPC and maybe other aspects, because, in a previous study, there was evidence that there was no difference between the two study groups after 12 months received EPC.[27]
Whereas, in this study, the EPC did not improve some other outcomes such as symptom control. The most commonly identified symptoms are fatigue, excretory symptoms, urinary incontinence, asthenia, pain, constipation and anxiety which occur in at least half of patients.[28] Although the analysed research has used the same measurement instrument, it is necessary to review the age factor of the respondents. It is known that the mean age of the participants is ≥61 years.
This is in line with the Van Lancker et al.[28] study, which found older palliative cancer patients suffered from various symptoms as the highest prevalence with high symptoms. Others finding states that EPC is beneficial in symptom management of patients with advanced cancer and these findings are based on qualitative studies. Based on patient responses, EPC provides a sense of safety, support and affirmations and triggers structured action such as involving social networks.[29,30] It can lead to more consistent treatment with patient preference. Patients also want to focus on what is still possible, for example, cancer treatment and managing medical complications.[31]
Another finding is that EPC did not improve patients’ mood. The findings from Holmenlund et al.[27] stated that there is moderate evidence that EPC can reduce psychological symptoms. Do Carmo et al.[32] stated that cancer is an incurable chronic disease, which can have an impact on all aspects of life and the patients are expected to show some psychological adjustment. This study found that symptoms of depression and anxiety will gradually improve, regardless of whether EPC is performed or not.
There are some differences contributing to the heterogeneity found in this study. The heterogeneity can be caused by the optimal timing of the EPC intervention for each article, where one article was conducted in several months, but another can be more optimal with a different timing.[15,18] The differences also involved the types of cancer and the use of different measurement instruments.[7,20] The advantage of our study is that the studies which we synthesised were articles published within a period of no more than 12 years. It provides some guarantee concerning the relevance of the data.
Limitations
There were some limitations in our study. We included all types of cancer in our participants, while cancer management can be different depending on the clinical characteristics of participants in included trials. In addition, no analyses were done on the impact of EPC based on the duration of the study, so we are not sure how long this EPC is effective and efficient to be done on patients with cancer and whether it follows their life expectancy or not.
CONCLUSIONS
The existence of this study is solely to strengthen and update the results of the previous studies and convince readers that the results of this study clearly demonstrate that EPC has been proven to be effective as an intervention that improves the QoL of patients with cancer, especially those diagnosed with advanced cancer. However, this study has not sufficiently proven that EPC also positively impacts patients’ mood and symptom control during the intervention, so further research is needed.
Declaration of patient consent
Patient’s consent not required as there are no patients in this study.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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