Palliative Care Support Improves Quality of Life of Patients with Advanced Interstitial Lung Disease

Background: Fibrotic interstitial lung disease associates with a considerable symptom burden, deterioration of quality of life, and mortality; thus, Palliative Care is an alternative for symptoms control. The aim was to analyze its effect in the quality of life.MethodsObservational, prospective study that included patients referred to Palliative Care. Demographic data, baseline functional capacity, symptoms intensity, and quality of life were registered through unidimensional and multidimensional scales before the intervention and then at 30- and 90- days ups. The primary outcome was to analyze the score change through an analysis of variance.ResultsFourteen patients were included with a median age of 63 years (Interquartile Range 54–71), 85% were women. Baseline evaluation confirmed a moderate functional impairment (Karnofsky 65, Interquartile Range 50–70) and deterioration of quality of life (Saint George´s Respiratory Questionnaire-I, 91 points, Interquartile Range 84–96). Frequent baseline symptoms documented by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System were cough, dyspnea, tiredness, anxiety/depression, and pain. After 90 days of Palliative Care, a significant improvement was observed both in symptoms control and quality of life, based on a 20-point decrease in Saint George´s Respiratory Questionnaire-I (p = 0.008).ConclusionsThe Palliative Care intervention improves symptoms control, and the quality of life patients perceive.