Introduction: With better medical care, patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) now live longer but face more complex medical and social needs. This study described the perceptions of DMD patients and their families of disease-specific palliative care services in Singapore.

Materials And Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional study involving DMD patients and their families was carried out. Structured questionnaires were administered to them to collect data on their understanding of palliative care, health services accessed and desired by them and quality of life.

Results: A total of 30 pairs of DMD patients and their caregivers responded. Most patients were >13 years old (70%) and non-ambulant (86%). Most of them and their families (70%) were also not aware of palliative care and support services that were available to them in Singapore. Additionally, they perceived greater financial assistance and better transport services as resources that could better meet their care needs. The presence of scoliosis and need for ventilatory support were associated with lower quality of life in patients.

Conclusion: There is a need to improve awareness and provision of palliative care services for DMD patients in Singapore where discussion of end-of-life care is often considered taboo. Prevention and correction of scoliosis and provision of appropriate ventilatory support may improve quality of life in DMD patients.

Download full-text PDF

Source

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

palliative care
20
dmd patients
20
patients families
12
care
8
duchenne muscular
8
muscular dystrophy
8
patients
8
care services
8
ventilatory support
8
quality life
8

Similar Publications

Aim: Dynamic cancer control is a current health system priority, yet methods for achieving it are lacking. This study aims to review the application of system dynamics modeling (SDM) on cancer control and evaluate the research quality.

Methods: Articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from the inception of the study to November 15th, 2023.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Malignant transformation (MT) of mature cystic teratoma (MCT) has a poor prognosis, especially in advanced cases. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has an inhibitory effect on MT.

Case Summary: Herein, we present a case in which CCRT had a reduction effect preoperatively.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The guide extension-facilitated ostial stenting (GEST) technique uses a guide extension catheter (GEC) to improve stent delivery during primary coronary angioplasty (PCI). GECs are used for stent delivery into the coronary arteries of patients with difficult anatomy due to tortuosity, calcification, or chronic total occlusion (CTO) vessels. Stent and balloon placement has become challenging in patients with increasing lesion complexity due to tortuosity, vessel morphology, length of the lesion, and respiratory movements.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Over the last decade, numerous efforts have been made to combat the opioid crisis globally. The impact of these strategies has not been adequately measured and may differ across populations depending on baseline risk. We compared changes in long-term prescription opioid use following surgery within a national US cohort, between 2017 and 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Families Addressing Cancer Together (FACT), a web-based, individually tailored, psychoeducational intervention for parents with cancer to improve illness-related communication with their minor children.

Methods: Parents with stage I-IV solid tumors who had children ages 3-17 were randomized to 6 weeks of FACT versus waitlist control. Feasibility was assessed by rates of recruitment and retention.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!