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Background Cancer cachexia (CC) is a debilitating syndrome severely impacting patients’ quality of life and survivorship. We aimed to investigate the health care professionals’ (HCPs’) experiences of dealing with CC. Methods Survey questions entailed definitions and guidelines, importance of CC management, clinician confidence and involvement, screening and assessment, interventions, psychosocial and food aspects. The online survey was disseminated through Australian and New Zealand palliative care, oncology, allied health and nursing organisations. Frequencies were reported using descriptive statistics accounting for response rates. Associations were examined between variables using Fisher’s exact and Pearson’s chi-square tests. Results Over 90% of the respondents (n = 192) were medical doctors or nurses. Over 85% of the respondents were not aware of any guidelines, with 83% considering ≥ 10% weight loss from baseline indicative of CC. CC management was considered important by 77% of HCPs, and 55% indicated that it was part of their clinical role to assess and treat CC. In contrast, 56% of respondents were not confident about managing CC, and 93% believed formal training in CC would benefit their clinical practice. Although formal screening tools were generally not used (79%), 75% of respondents asked patients about specific symptoms. Antiemetics (80%) and nutritional counselling (86%) were most prescribed or recommended interventions, respectively. Conclusion This study underlines the deficiencies in knowledge and training of CC which has implications for patients’ function, well-being and survival. HCP training and a structured approach to CC management is advocated for optimal and continued patient care.

ObjectivesEnd-of-life dreams and visions (ELDVs) have been reported throughout history. We aimed to synthesize the research literature on ELDVs to determine the proportions of patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers reporting ELDVs; ELDV content, timing, and interpretation; and any evidence-based approaches to ELDV-related care.MethodsA systematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD4021282929). CINAHL, Medline, Embase, Emcare, and APA PsycInfo were searched for peer-reviewed English language articles reporting qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods studies that explored reports of ELDVs by patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, or volunteers. Synthesis used both meta-analysis and a narrative approach.ResultsOf 2,045 papers identified by searches, 22 were included, describing 18 studies in a variety of settings. Meta-analyses indicated that 77% (95% confidence intervals [CIs] 69–84%) of patients (n = 119) reported an ELDV compared with 32% (95% CIs 21–44%) of bereaved relatives (n = 2,444) and that 80% (95% CIs 59–94%) of healthcare professionals (n = 171) reported either witnessing or being told of an ELDV in the preceding 5 years. Studies of volunteers reported 34% (95% CIs 20–48%) (n = 45) either witnessing or being told of an ELDV over their entire period of service, with 49% of volunteers (95% CIs 33–64%) (n = 39) reporting events occurring in the preceding year. ELDVs reported by patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers were perceived as being a source of comfort. Healthcare professionals and volunteers expressed a need for further education on how to support patients experiencing ELDVs and their families.Significance of resultsELDVs are experienced by the majority of dying patients and need consideration in delivering holistic end-of-life care. Little if any research has been conducted in acute care facilities.

Objective To examine sociodemographic characteristics and caring experiences associated with being an older rather than younger carer of an adult with a chronic health condition. Methods The population-based cross-sectional South Australian Health Omnibus survey was administered in 2016. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic characteristics and caring experiences associated with being an older (≥65 years) versus younger (Results Of 988 survey respondents who self-identified as carers, 198(20%) were 65 years or over. Characteristics associated with being an older carer included having a partner, having poor physical health, being born outside Australia, have no formal qualification, living in a household of 1–2 people, have an annual household income ≤$60,000, and owning one's home. Carer experiences associated with older carer status included providing ≥40 h of care per week, perceived control over caring, and caring for someone with a neurological condition, whereas caring for someone with a mental illness, reporting poor mental health of their own, and providing personal care were inversely associated. Discussion Interventions directed at older carers should consider the increased likelihood that they may be investing large amounts of time in caring for someone with a neurological condition, and be culturally and linguistically diverse.

Background: Paracentesis is commonly undertaken in patients with cancer-related ascites. Aim: To systematically investigate the symptomatic benefits and harms experienced by patients with cancer undergoing paracentesis using real-world data in the palliative care setting. Design: Prospective, multisite, observational, consecutive cohort study. Benefits and harms of paracentesis were assessed between 01/07/2018 and 31/02/2021 as part of routine clinical assessments by treating clinicians at four timepoints: (T0) before paracentesis; (T1) once drainage ceased; (T2) 24 h after T1 and (T3) 28 days after T1 or next paracentesis, if sooner. Setting/participants: Data were collected from 11 participating sites across five countries (Australia, England, Hong Kong, Malaysia and New Zealand) on 111 patients undergoing paracentesis via a temporary (73%) or indwelling (21%) catheter: 51% male, median age 69 years, Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Score 50. Results: At T1 ( n = 100), symptoms had improved for most patients (81%), specifically abdominal distension (61%), abdominal pain (49%) and nausea (27%), with two-thirds experiencing improvement in ⩾2 symptoms. In the remaining patients, symptoms were unchanged (7%) or worse (12%). At least one harm occurred in 32% of patients, the most common being an ascitic leak ( n = 14). By T3, 89% of patients had experienced some benefit and 36% some harm, including four patients who experienced serious harm, one of which was a fatal bowel perforation. Conclusion: Most patients obtained rapid benefits from paracentesis. Harms were less frequent and generally mild, but occasionally serious and fatal. Our findings help inform clinician-patient discussions about the potential outcomes of paracentesis in this frail population.

Incarcerated young people (aged 18-24) with a history of problematic substance use are a particularly vulnerable group, with a higher risk of mortality and return to custody compared to their older counterparts. Yet, there is limited research investigating service accessibility for this population. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the characteristics of young people exiting prison on the 'Connections Program' (Connections) and their access to support services. Connections is a transitional program with a remit to link people with problematic substance use exiting prison in New South Wales, Australia, to health and social services in the community. We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach including (1) a retrospective cohort study of young people on Connections (n = 359), utilising self-reported data collected in a routine pre-release questionnaire from January 2008 to February 2015 and (2) a qualitative survey with Connections caseworkers (n = 10). In stage one, descriptive statistics were calculated to produce a profile of sociodemographic and health characteristics of young people with problematic substance use exiting prison. In stage two, qualitative data were thematically analysed to explore the accessibility of services to meet young people's needs from the perspective of caseworkers. The study found young people experienced substantially poorer mental health than the general population, and the vast majority had received treatment for a mental health issue (96.5%). Illicit substance use prior to incarceration was common (91.5%). Caseworkers reported substantial barriers to service accessibility in the community related to intersecting social disadvantage and co-occurring mental distress and substance use. Caseworkers have front-line knowledge of how gaps and barriers in services impact transition from prison and identified longer-term case coordination, inter-agency collaboration and holistic care as vital strategies to support young people in transition from prison to community.

Background: Palliative populations are at risk for dehydration which can cause discomfort, distress and cognitive symptoms. Subcutaneous hydration (‘hypodermoclysis’) has been used as an alternative administration route to the more invasive intravenous route, but research is lacking on its net clinical effects (harms and benefits) for palliative populations, particularly in real world settings. Aim: To quantify prospectively the net clinical effects of hypodermoclysis in palliative patients with advanced disease who required supplementary fluids. Design: Multisite, multinational consecutive cohort study. Setting/participants: Patients receiving hypodermoclysis in an inpatient palliative care setting. Results: Twenty sites contributed data for 99 patients, of which 88 had complete benefits and harms data. The most common primary target symptom for infusion was generalised weakness (18.2%), and the most common non-symptom indication was supplemental hydration (31.8%). Benefits were experienced in 33% of patients in their primary target symptom, and in any symptom in 56.8%. Harms were experienced in 38.7% of patients (42% at Grade 1). Benefits increased with higher performance status, while harms were more frequent in patients with lower performance status (Australia-modified Karnofsky performance status ⩽40). Patients in the terminal phase of their illness experienced the least benefit (15.4% in any indication only) and had more frequent harms (38%). Conclusions: Hypodermoclysis may improve certain symptoms in patients in palliative care but frequency of harms and benefits may differ at certain timepoints in the illness trajectory. Further research is needed to better delineate which patients will derive the most net clinical benefit from hypodermoclysis.

BACKGROUND Frailty is a clinically recognized syndrome of decreased physiological reserve and a key contributor to suboptimal clinical outcomes in various lung disease groups. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is fast approaching chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as the number one indication for lung transplantation worldwide. Our aim was to assess whether frailty is a predictor of mortality in patients with ILD referred for lung transplantation in an Australian cohort. METHODS Consecutive patients with ILD referred or on the waiting list for lung transplantation from May 2013 to December 2017 underwent frailty assessment using the modified Fried's frailty phenotype. Frailty was defined as a positive response to ≥3 of the following 5 components: weak grip strength, slowed walking speed, poor appetite, physical inactivity, and exhaustion. RESULTS One hundred patients (82 male:18 female; age, 59 ± 7 y; range, 30-70) underwent frailty assessment. Twenty-four of 100 (24%) were assessed as frail. Frailty was associated with anemia, hypoalbuminemia, low creatinine, and the use of supplemental oxygen (all P < 0.05). Frailty was independent of age, gender, measures of pulmonary dysfunction (PaO2, forced vital capacity percentage predicted, total lung capacity, total lung capacity percentage predicted, DLCO, or DLCO percentage predicted), cognitive impairment, or depression. Frailty and DLCO % predicted were independent predictors of increased all-cause mortality: 1-year actuarial survival was 86 ± 4% in the nonfrail group compared with 58 ± 10% for the frail group (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Frailty is common among patients referred for lung transplant with a diagnosis of ILD and is associated with a marked increase in mortality.

Aims To compare the frailty prevalence and predictive performance of six frailty instruments in adults with heart failure and determine the feasibility of study methods. Methods and results Prospective cohort pilot study. Adults aged 18 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The Frailty Phenotype; the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe Frailty Instrument (SHARE-FI); St Vincent’s Frailty instrument; St Vincent’s Frailty instrument plus cognition and mood; The Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of Weight (FRAIL) scale; and the Deficit Accumulation Index (DAI) were compared. Multiple logistic regression was used to develop six frailty instrument models to evaluate the association between each frailty instrument and composite all-cause rehospitalization and mortality at 12 months. One hundred and thirty-one patients were included with a mean age of 54 [± 14(SD)]. Frailty prevalence ranged from 33 to 81%. All instruments except one (the FRAIL scale) appeared to signal an increased odds of rehospitalization and/or mortality, yet these results were non-significant. The six frailty instrument models displayed sensitivity between 88–92% and C-statistic values of 0.71–0.73, suggesting satisfactory discrimination. Conclusion The prevalence of frailty varied across six frailty instruments yet was in the higher range despite a ‘younger’ heart failure cohort. Further research is required to confirm the psychometric properties of these instruments for routine clinical use in an adequately powered and more diverse heart failure cohort.

Background: Real-world effectiveness of interventions in palliative care need to be systematically quantified to inform patient/clinical decisions. Neuropathic pain is prevalent and difficult to palliate. Tricyclic antidepressants have an established role for some neuropathic pain aetiologies, but this is less clear in palliative care. Aim: To describe the real-world use and outcomes from amitriptyline or nortriptyline for neuropathic pain in palliative care. Design: An international, prospective, consecutive cohort post-marketing/phase IV/pharmacovigilance/quality improvement study of palliative care patients with neuropathic pain where the treating clinician had already made the decision to use a tricyclic antidepressant. Data were entered at set times: baseline, and days 7 and 14. Likert scales graded benefits and harms. Setting/participants: Twenty-one sites (inpatient, outpatient, community) participated in six countries between June 2016 and March 2019. Patients had clinician-diagnosed neuropathic pain. Results: One hundred and fifty patients were prescribed amitriptyline (110) or nortriptyline (40) of whom: 85% had cancer; mean age 73.2 years (SD 12.3); mean 0–4 scores for neuropathic pain at baseline were 1.8 (SD 1.0). By day 14, doses of amitriptyline were 57 mg (SD 21) and nortriptyline (48 mg (SD 21). Fifty-two (34.7%) patients had pain improvement by day 14 (amitriptyline (45/110 (43.3%); nortriptyline (7/40 (18.9%)). Thirty-nine (27.7%) had new harms; (amitriptyline 29/104 (27.9%); nortriptyline 10/37 (27.0%); dizziness ( n = 23), dry mouth ( n = 20), constipation ( n = 14), urinary retention ( n = 10)). Benefits without harms occurred (amitriptyline (26/104 (25.0%); nortriptyline (4/37 (10.8%)). Conclusions: Benefits favoured amitriptyline while harms were similar for both medications.

Background The rising rates of women in prison is a serious public health issue. Unlike men, women in prison are characterised by significant histories of trauma, poor mental health, and high rates of substance use disorders (SUDs). Recidivism rates of women have also increased exponentially in the last decade, with substance related offences being the most imprisoned offence worldwide. There is a lack of evidence of the effectiveness of post-release programs for women. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesise and evaluate the evidence on post-release programs for women exiting prison with SUDs. Methods We searched eight scientific databases for empirical original research published in English with no date limitation. Studies with an objective to reduce recidivism for adult women (⩾18 years) with a SUD were included. Study quality was assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2) and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tools. Results Of the 1493 articles, twelve (n = 3799 women) met the inclusion criteria. Recidivism was significantly reduced in five (42%) programs and substance-use was significantly reduced in one (8.3%) program. Common attributes among programs that reduced recidivism were: transitional, gender-responsive programs; provision of individualised support; providing substance-related therapy, mental health and trauma treatment services. Methodological and reporting biases were common, which impacted our ability to synthesize results further. Recidivism was inconsistently measured across studies further impacting the ability to compare results across studies. Conclusions Recidivism is a problematic measure of program efficacy because it is inconsistently measured and deficit-focused, unrecognising of women’s gains in the post-release period despite lack of tailored programs and significant health and social disadvantages. The current evidence suggests that women benefit from continuity of care from prison to the community, which incorporated gender-responsive programming and individualised case management that targeted co-morbid mental health and SUDs. Future program design should incorporate these attributes of successful programs identified in this review to better address the unique challenges that women with SUDs face when they transition back into the community.

Background Not being able to work has negative health, social and financial consequences. Persisting breathlessness is prevalent in working-aged people. Is it associated with lower workforce participation? This study, using the South Australian Health Omnibus, aimed to explore associations between paid workforce participation and persisting breathlessness intensity, and economic impacts on income in people of working age. Methods This cross-sectional study conducted face-to-face interviews with a random sample of adults in South Australia (n = 8916). Questions included key demographic data, workforce participation and the presence and intensity of persisting breathlessness. Data from working-aged respondents (20–65 years of age) were standardised to the census for regression analyses. Work was coded to paid full- or part-time work or ‘other’. Persisting breathlessness (more than three of the last six months) used the modified Medical Research Council breathlessness scale (aggregated to 0, 1, 2–4). Opportunity cost valuations compared annual income foregone by persisting breathlessness severity. Results Of people interviewed, 6,608 were working-aged (49.9% male; 67.5% had post-secondary qualifications; 70.9% were in paid full- or part-time work; and 1.7% had mMRC score 2–4). Workforce participation dropped in working aged people with increasing breathlessness: mMRC 0, 70.6%; mMRC 1, 51.7%; mMRC 2–4, 20.3%. In the regression model, people with the most severe breathlessness were much less likely to work (OR 0.14; 95% CI 0.09, 0.22). Annual income foregone by people with persisting breathlessness was AU$10.7 billion (AU$9.1b for full-time and AU$1.6b for part-time work; range AU$5.9b, AU$49.7b). Conclusion Worsening persisting breathlessness is associated with lower workforce participation with direct financial consequences, greatest for older males.

ImportanceChronic breathlessness is common in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Regular, low-dose, extended-release morphine may relieve breathlessness, but evidence about its efficacy and dosing is needed.ObjectiveTo determine the effect of different doses of extended-release morphine on worst breathlessness in people with COPD after 1 week of treatment.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsMulticenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial including people with COPD and chronic breathlessness (defined as a modified Medical Research Council score of 3 to 4) conducted at 20 centers in Australia. People were enrolled between September 1, 2016, and November 20, 2019, and followed up through December 26, 2019.InterventionsPeople were randomized 1:1:1 to 8 mg/d or 16 mg/d of oral extended-release morphine or placebo during week 1. At the start of weeks 2 and 3, people were randomized 1:1 to 8 mg/d of extended-release morphine, which was added to the prior week’s dose, or placebo.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was change in the intensity of worst breathlessness on a numerical rating scale (score range, 0 [none] to 10 [being worst or most intense]) using the mean score at baseline (from days −3 to −1) to the mean score after week 1 of treatment (from days 5 to 7) in the 8 mg/d and 16 mg/d of extended-release morphine groups vs the placebo group. Secondary outcomes included change in daily step count measured using an actigraphy device from baseline (day −1) to the mean step count from week 3 (from days 19 to 21).ResultsAmong the 160 people randomized, 156 were included in the primary analyses (median age, 72 years [IQR, 67 to 78 years]; 48% were women) and 138 (88%) completed treatment at week 1 (48 in the 8 mg/d of morphine group, 43 in the 16 mg/d of morphine group, and 47 in the placebo group). The change in the intensity of worst breathlessness at week 1 was not significantly different between the 8 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, −0.3 [95% CI, −0.9 to 0.4]) or between the 16 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, −0.3 [95%, CI, −1.0 to 0.4]). At week 3, the secondary outcome of change in mean daily step count was not significantly different between the 8 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, −1453 [95% CI, −3310 to 405]), between the 16 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, −1312 [95% CI, −3220 to 596]), between the 24 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, −692 [95% CI, −2553 to 1170]), or between the 32 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, −1924 [95% CI, −47 699 to 921]).Conclusions and RelevanceAmong people with COPD and severe chronic breathlessness, daily low-dose, extended-release morphine did not significantly reduce the intensity of worst breathlessness after 1 week of treatment. These findings do not support the use of these doses of extended-release morphine to relieve breathlessness.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02720822

ObjectivesTo describe the contemporary real-world use of cyclizine for nausea or vomiting, and the associated benefits and harms.MethodsThis was a prospective, consecutive case series of routine clinical use of cyclizine for nausea or vomiting in palliative care conducted across 19 sites in Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand and the UK. Clinical outcomes were graded using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events at baseline and 72 hours after initiation of cyclizine. Ad hoc safety reporting continued for 2 weeks.ResultsData were collected from 101 patients between May 2018 and December 2020. Cyclizine was mostly used in combination with another antiemetic. Overall, 79 patients benefited and 32 experienced harm (56 had benefit without harm; 9 had harm without benefit). The most common harms were constipation (13%), somnolence (9%) and confusion (7%), adding to the already high rates of these symptoms at baseline. For the four patients with serious harms (grade ≥3), these were exacerbations of existing symptoms. Nine patients stopped cyclizine at 72 hours and a further 20 patients within 2 weeks. The most common reasons for stopping were lack of benefit and symptom resolution; none stopped because of harms.ConclusionsWhen used as described in a palliative care setting, cyclizine benefits about three-quarters of patients, with about one-third experiencing tolerable harms.

Given the importance of supporting cancer patients to quit smoking, we sought to ascertain cancer care clinicians' beliefs and practices regarding providing smoking cessation brief interventions.We used a cross-sectional sequential explanatory mixed method design, including a survey of multidisciplinary cancer care clinicians and semistructured interviews.One hundred and sixty-five cancer care clinicians completed the survey and 21 participated in interviews. Over half of survey respondents (53%) said they do not regularly undertake smoking cessation brief interventions and 40% rarely or never advise quitting. Nonmetropolitan clinicians were more likely to discuss medication options and refer to the Quitline. Physicians were more likely to do brief interventions with patients and radiation therapists were least likely. Barriers were lack of training and experience, lack of knowledge of the Quitline referral process, lack of role clarity, lack of resources and systems, and perceived psychological ramifications of cancer for patients.There is a need to upskill cancer clinicians and improve systems to provide smoking cessation brief interventions as part of routine clinical practice. All cancer care clinicians should complete brief intervention smoking cessation training relevant to the cancer context, including making referrals to Quitline, and be supported by systems to record and follow-up care.

© 2019 The Authors Objective: To describe the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of Aboriginal mothers in prison. Methods: Cross-sectional survey, including a Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (5-item version) administered to Aboriginal women who self-identified as mothers. Results: Seventy-seven Aboriginal mothers in New South Wales (NSW) and 84 in Western Australia (WA) participated in the study. Eighty-three per cent (n=59) of mothers in NSW were in prison for drug-related offences, 64.8% (n=46) of mothers in WA were in prison for offences committed under the influence of alcohol. Sixty-eight per cent (n=52) of mothers in NSW and 35% (n=28) of mothers in WA reported mental health problems. Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) component scores of SF-12 varied for mothers in NSW and WA. Mothers in NSW experienced poorer health and functioning than mothers in WA (NSW: PCS 49.5, MCS 40.6; WA: PCS 54.4, MCS 48.3) and high levels of psychological distress (NSW: 13.1; WA 10.1). Conclusions: Aboriginal mothers in prison have significant health needs associated with physical and mental health, and psychological distress. Implications for public health: Adoption of social and emotional wellbeing as an explanatory framework for culturally secure healthcare in prison is essential to improving health outcomes of Aboriginal mothers in prison in Australia.

Background Most health service utilisation studies are of people with specific diagnoses or demographic characteristics, and rarely of specific chronic symptoms. The aim of this study was to establish whether population-level health service utilisation increases in people with chronic breathlessness. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was carried out of the South Australian Health Omnibus Survey 2017, a multi-stage, clustered area, systematic sampling survey of adults where questions are administered face-to-face in respondents’ homes. Self-report of health service utilisation in the previous 3 months (medical consultations, emergency department, hospital admission), chronic breathlessness (severity, duration, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) breathlessness scale) and demographic data were used to predict self-reported health service utilisation. Results A total of 2898 people were included (49.0% male; median age 48.0 years (IQR 32.0–63.0); 64.1% educated beyond school; 55.4% in work; 73.5% had outpatient contact; 6.3% had a hospital admission in the previous 3 months). Chronic breathlessness (mMRC ≥1) was reported by 8.8% of respondents. In bivariable analyses, people with greater contact with health services were older, and a higher proportion were overweight/obese and had more severe chronic breathlessness. In multivariable analyses, chronic breathlessness and older age were positively associated with outpatient care and inpatient care, and people with chronic breathlessness were hospitalised for longer (incidence rate ratio 2.5; 95% CI 1.4–4.5). Conclusion There is a significant association between worse chronic breathlessness and increased health service utilisation. There is a need for greater understanding of factors that initiate contact with health services., Worsening self-reported severity of chronic breathlessness is strongly associated with increases in general practice and emergency department use and inpatient admissions, after controlling for age, sex, level of education, rurality and body mass index https://bit.ly/3sa9knG

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) in people with advanced life-limiting illnesses can have significant impact on the quality-of-life of those affected. The management of MDD in the palliative care setting can be challenging as typical antidepressants may not work in time nor be tolerated due to coexisting organ dysfunctions, symptom burden and frailty. Parenteral ketamine was found to exhibit effective and rapid-onset antidepressant effect even against treatment-resistant depression in the psychiatric population. However, there is currently neither feasibility study nor available prospective study available to inform of the safety, tolerability and efficacy of such for MDD in the palliative setting.Methods and analysisThis is an open-labelled, single arm, phase II pilot feasibility study involving adult patients with advanced life-limiting illnesses and MDD across four palliative care services in Australia. It has an individual dose-titration design (0.1–0.4 mg/kg) with weekly treatments of subcutaneous ketamine infusion over 2 hours. The primary outcome is feasibility. The secondary outcomes are related to the safety, tolerability and antidepressant efficacy of ketamine, participants’ satisfaction in relation to the trial process and the reasons for not completing the study at various stages. The feasibility data will be reported using descriptive statistics. Meanwhile, side effects, tolerability and efficacy data will be analysed using change of assessment scores from baseline.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was acquired (South Western Sydney Local Health District: HREC/18/LPOOL/466). The results of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences.Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry Number: ACTRN12618001586202; Pre-results.

The study aimed to determine whether the addition of cognitive impairment, depression, or both, to the assessment of physical frailty (PF) is associated with the risk of lung transplant (LTX) waitlist mortality.Since March 2013, all patients referred for LTX evaluation underwent PF assessment. Cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and depression assessed using the Depression in Medical Illness questionnaire. We assessed the association of 4 composite frailty measures: PF ≥3 of 5 = frail, cognitive frailty (CogF ≥3 of 6 = frail), depressive frailty (DepF ≥3 of 6 = frail), and combined frailty (ComF ≥3 of 7 = frail) with waitlist mortality.The prevalence of PF was 78 (22%), CogF 100 (28%), DepF 105 (29%), and ComF 124 (34%). Waitlist survival in the non-PF group was 94% ± 2% versus 71% ± 7% in the PF group (P 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that PF (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 4.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.06-11.56), mild cognitive impairment (adjusted HR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.05-8.78), and hypoalbuminemia (adjusted HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.97) were independent predictors of waitlist mortality. There was no significant difference in the area under the curve of the 4 frailty measures.The addition of cognitive function and depression variables to the PF assessment increased the number of patients classified as frail. However, the addition of these variables does not strengthen the association with LTX waitlist mortality compared with the PF measure.

BackgroundThe study aimed to determine whether the addition of cognitive impairment, depression, or both, to the assessment of physical frailty (PF) is associated with the risk of lung transplant (LTX) waitlist mortality.MethodsSince March 2013, all patients referred for LTX evaluation underwent PF assessment. Cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and depression assessed using the Depression in Medical Illness questionnaire. We assessed the association of 4 composite frailty measures: PF ≥3 of 5 = frail, cognitive frailty (CogF ≥ 3 of 6 = frail), depressive frailty (DepF ≥ 3 of 6 = frail), and combined frailty (ComF ≥ 3 of 7 = frail) with waitlist mortality.ResultsThe prevalence of PF was 78 (22%), CogF 100 (28%), DepF 105 (29%), and ComF 124 (34%). Waitlist survival in the non-PF group was 94% ± 2% versus 71% ± 7% in the PF group (p < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that PF (Adjusted HR, 4.88; 95% CI, 2.06 - 11.56), mild cognitive impairment (Adjusted HR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.05 - 8.78) and hypoalbuminemia (Adjusted HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82 - 0.97) were independent predictors of waitlist mortality. There was no significant difference in the area under the curve of the 4 frailty measures.ConclusionsThe addition of cognitive function and depression variables to the PF assessment increased the number of patients classified as frail. However, the addition of these variables, does not strengthen the association with LTX waitlist mortality compared to the PF measure.

Background. Frailty contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in patients referred for and undergoing lung transplantation (LTX). The study aim was to determine if frailty is reversible after LTX in those classified as frail at LTX evaluation. Methods. Consecutive LTX recipients were included. All patients underwent modified physical frailty assessment during LTX evaluation. For patients assessed as frail, frailty was reassessed on completion of the post-LTX rehabilitation program. Frailty was defined by the presence of ≥ 3 domains of the modified Fried Frailty Phenotype (mFFP). Results. We performed 166 lung transplants (frail patients, n = 27, 16%). Eighteen of the 27 frail patients have undergone frailty reassessment. Eight frail patients died, and one interstate recipient did not return for reassessment. In the 18 (66%) patients reassessed, there was an overall reduction in their frailty score post-LTX ((3.4 ± 0.6 to 1.0 ± 0.7), p<0.001) with 17/18 (94%) no longer classified as frail. Improvements were seen in the following frailty domains: exhaustion, mobility, appetite, and activity. Handgrip strength did not improve posttransplant. Conclusions. Physical frailty was largely reversible following LTX, underscoring the importance of considering frailty a dynamic, not a fixed, entity. Further work is needed to identify those patients whose frailty is modifiable and establish specific interventions to improve frailty.

Background: Chronic breathlessness is a prevalent disabling syndrome affecting many people for years. Identifying the impact of chronic breathlessness on people's activities in the general population is pivotal for designing symptom management strategies. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between chronic breathlessness and activities respondents identify can no longer be undertaken (“activities forgone”). Design: This population-based cross-sectional online survey used a market research company's database of 30,000 registrants for each sex, generating the planned sample size—3000 adults reflecting Australia's 2016 Census by sex, age group, state of residence, and rurality. Setting/Subjects: The population of focus (n = 583) reported a modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) breathlessness scale ≥1 and experienced this breathlessness for ≥3 months. Measurements: Activities forgone were categorized by mMRC using coding derived from the Dyspnea Management Questionnaire domains. Activities were classified as “higher/lower intensity” using Human Energy Expenditure scale. Results: Respondents were male 50.3%; median age 50.0 (IQR 29.0); with 66% living in metropolitan areas; reporting 1749 activities forgone. For people with mMRC 1 (n = 533), 35% had not given up any activity, decreasing to 9% for mMRC 2 (n = 38) and 3% for mMRC 3–4 (n = 12). Intense sport (e.g., jogging and bike riding) was the top activity forgone: 42% (mMRC 1), 32% (mMRC 2), and 36% (mMRC 3–4). For respondents with mMRC 3–4, the next most prevalent activities forgone were “sexual activities” (14%), “lower intensity sports” (11%), and “other activities” (11%). Conclusions: People progressively reduce a wide range of activities because of their chronic breathlessness.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease with significant impact on quality of life and presents many challenges to those diagnosed with the condition, due to a seemingly complex daily regimen of self‐care which includes medications, monitoring of weight and symptoms, identification of signs of deterioration and follow‐up and interaction with multiple healthcare services. Education is vital for understanding the importance of this regimen, and adhering to it. Traditionally, education has been provided to people with heart failure in a face‐to‐face manner, either in a community or a hospital setting, using paper‐based materials or video/DVD presentations. In an age of rapidly‐evolving technology and uptake of smartphones and tablet devices, mHealth‐based technology (defined by the World Health Organization as mobile and wireless technologies to achieve health objectives) is an innovative way to provide health education which has the benefit of being able to reach people who are unable or unwilling to access traditional heart failure education programmes and services. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review and quantify the potential benefits and harms of mHealth‐delivered education for people with heart failure. SEARCH METHODS: We performed an extensive search of bibliographic databases and registries (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, IEEE Xplore, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) Search Portal), using terms to identify HF, education and mHealth. We searched all databases from their inception to October 2019 and imposed no restriction on language of publication. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included studies if they were conducted as a randomised controlled trial (RCT), involving adults (≥ 18 years) with a diagnosis of HF. We included trials comparing mHealth‐delivered education such as internet and web‐based education programmes for use on smartphones and tablets (including apps) and other mobile devices, SMS messages and social media‐delivered education programmes, versus usual HF care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed risks of bias, and extracted data from all included studies. We calculated the mean difference (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous data and the odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous data with a 95% confidence interval (CI). We assessed heterogeneity using the I(2) statistic and assessed the quality of evidence using GRADE criteria. MAIN RESULTS: We include five RCTs (971 participants) of mHealth‐delivered education interventions for people with HF in this review. The number of trial participants ranged from 28 to 512 participants. Mean age of participants ranged from 60 years to 75 years, and 63% of participants across the studies were men. Studies originated from Australia, China, Iran, Sweden, and The Netherlands. Most studies included participants with symptomatic HF, NYHA Class II ‐ III. Three studies addressed HF knowledge, revealing that the use of mHealth‐delivered education programmes showed no evidence of a difference in HF knowledge compared to usual care (MD 0.10, 95% CI −0.2 to 0.40, P = 0.51, I(2) = 0%; 3 studies, 411 participants; low‐quality evidence). One study assessing self‐efficacy reported that both study groups had high levels of self‐efficacy at baseline and uncertainty in the evidence for the intervention (MD 0.60, 95% CI −0.57 to 1.77; P = 0.31; 1 study, 29 participants; very low‐quality evidence).Three studies evaluated HF self‐care using different scales. We did not pool the studies due to the heterogenous nature of the outcome measures, and the evidence is uncertain. None of the studies reported adverse events. Four studies examined health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). There was uncertainty in the evidence for the use of mHealth‐delivered education on HRQoL (MD −0.10, 95% CI −2.35 to 2.15; P = 0.93, I(2) = 61%; 4 studies, 942 participants; very low‐quality evidence). Three studies reported on HF‐related hospitalisation. The use of mHealth‐delivered education may result in little to no difference in HF‐related hospitalisation (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.06; P = 0.10, I(2) = 0%; 3 studies, 894 participants; low‐quality evidence). We downgraded the quality of the studies due to limitations in study design and execution, heterogeneity, wide confidence intervals and fewer than 500 participants in the analysis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found that the use of mHealth‐delivered educational interventions for people with HF shows no evidence of a difference in HF knowledge; uncertainty in the evidence for self‐efficacy, self‐care and health‐related quality of life; and may result in little to no difference in HF‐related hospitalisations. The identification of studies currently underway and those awaiting classification indicate that this is an area of research from which further evidence will emerge in the short and longer term.