Table 4

Predominant and concomitant symptoms on admission to PCU Havelhoehe.

Symptom
All admissions (A)

Subgroup (B)

Subgroup (C)

Significance

All (n = 1467)

† without sed.(n = 468)

† with sed. (n = 80)

p-Values


Predominant
Concomitant
Predominant
Concomitant
Predominant
Concomitant

Pain
29,1%
56,3%
27,1%
54,0%
37,5%
70,0%
n.s.
Gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, constipation & bowel obstruction)
17,4%
71,3%
11,7%*
55,9%
8,8%*
67,5%
*p = 0.014
Dyspnoea
14,6%
31,2%
15,5%
33,1%
22,5%
46,3%
n.s.
Psychological distress (anxiety/depression)
2,4%
34,0%
1,7%
20,9%
5,0%
37,5%
n.s.
Cachexia/fatigue
9,3%
56,3%
17,4%**
65,9%
12,5%
66,3%
**p < 0.001
Cognitive disorder/delirium (drowsiness/agitation)
8,5%
29,1%
11,2%
29,1%
3,8%
13,7%
n.s.
Bleeding
2,4%
3,2%
1,3%
3,8%
0,0%
1,3%
n.s.
Skin (ulceration, oedema)
5,3%
42,5%
3,2%
31,4%
2,5%
35,0%
n.s.
Neurological
8,9%
33,6%
8,7%
27,1%
6,3%
26,3%
n.s.
Others
2,1%
34,2%
2,2%
22,0%
1,1%
14,5%
n.s.

Muller-Busch et al. BMC Palliative Care 2003 2:2   doi:10.1186/1472-684X-2-2