Healthcare professionals' experiences of providing palliative care for patients with diabetes - a qualitative study.

Background: At present, there are no specific guidelines for the treatment of diabetes in palliative care in Norway. The aim of this study was therefore to explore healthcare professionals' experiences of providing palliative care to individuals with diabetes in specialist as well as primary care settings.

Methods: We interviewed 12 healthcare professionals from two palliative care units in specialist healthcare, one hospice unit in a nursing home, and one dietary care unit providing counselling in the municipality in the eastern part of Norway.

A comparison of the prevalence of dry mouth and other symptoms using two different versions of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System on an inpatient palliative care unit.

Background: Symptom assessment is key to effective symptom management and palliative care for patients with advanced cancer. Symptom prevalence and severity estimates vary widely, possibly dependent on the assessment tool used. Are symptoms specifically asked about or must the patients add them as additional symptoms? This study compared the prevalence and severity of patient-reported symptoms in two different versions of a multi-symptom assessment tool.

Identification and susceptibility testing of oral candidiasis in advanced cancer patients.

Background: Patients with advanced cancer are prone to develop different opportunistic oral infection due to anti-cancer treatment or the malignancies themselves. Studies of oral fungal samples show an increased prevalence of non-Candida albicans species in mixed oral infections with Candida albicans. Non-C.

MASCC/ISOO expert opinion on the management of oral problems in patients with advanced cancer.

Purpose: The Palliative Care Study Group in conjunction with the Oral Care Study Group of the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) formed a sub-group to develop evidence-based guidance on the management of common oral problems in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: This guidance was developed in accordance with the MASCC Guidelines Policy. A search strategy for Medline was developed, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were explored for relevant reviews and trials, respectively.

A mouth rinse based on a tea solution of Salvia officinalis for oral discomfort in palliative cancer care: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Few clinical studies evaluate interventions to reduce oral discomfort among patients in palliative care.

Aim: This study examines the efficacy of a Salvia officinalis (SO) based herbal mouth rinse compared to conventional normal saline (NS) in order to improve oral health.

Design: A block-randomized controlled trial.