Predictors of Symptoms and Site of Death in Pediatric Palliative Patients With Cancer at End of Life

Abstract

To describe how preferences and treatment influence symptoms at end of life and site of death in pediatric cancer. We included 61 pediatric palliative patients with cancer whose parents previously participated in a study that elicited preferences for aggressive chemotherapy versus supportive care alone and who subsequently died. Main outcomes were severe pain and dyspnea proximal to death and site of death. Choice of aggressive chemotherapy predicted significantly more severe pain (odds ratio [OR] 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-9.6; P = .049). Intravenous chemotherapy 4 weeks before death predicted severe dyspnea (OR 15.8, 95% CI 3.7-67.5; P < .001) and death outside the home (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9; P = .038). Parental choice of aggressive chemotherapy and more aggressive treatment proximal to death predicted more pain, dyspnea, and death in hospital. Strategies to improve quality of life are needed.