Cuidados paliativos no atendimento público hospitalar: a importância do atendimento de pacientes jovens

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate if the follow-up by the palliative care team during hospitalization is associated with the outcome of hospital discharge or death in young patients with chronic incurable diseases, highlighting the importance of attending this age group. Methods: Data were collected from 92 of the 601 records of the palliative care service of a public university hospital in the city of Belo Horizonte. Patients between 18 and 45 years with an incurable chronic disease were included. Data were divided into two groups - hospitalizations with death and discharge to home. Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Mann-Whitney test were used to evaluate the following parameters: age, gender, primary diagnosis, Palliative Performance Scale at hospitalization and near medical discharge; indication of hospital admission; indication of referral to the palliative care team and hospital admission indicators. Results: Patients aged between 18 and 45 years constituted 15.3% of the total sample, with a mean age of 34 years and predominance of women. Oncologic causes represented 94.6% of the diagnoses. The “control of symptoms” was highlighted in both groups as the main reason for referral to palliative care. In the multivariate analysis only the initial and final Palliative Performance Scale values were significant for the death outcome. Conclusion: The results reinforce the importance of professional preparation for recognition of the possibility of death in young people and valorization of palliative care.