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Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions

Health Care Use in People with AML at End of Life

J Clin Oncol; ePub 2017 Aug 7; Wang, Zeidan, et al

End-of-life care for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is less than optimal, according to a population-based, retrospective cohort study involving more than 13,000 individuals. Participants were ≥66 years of age at diagnosis, and died prior to 2013. Investigators looked at hospice care patterns and use of aggressive treatment. Among the results:

  • Among nearly 5,900 patients in hospice, 47% were enrolled in the last week and 29% in the last 3 days of life.
  • 62% of patients who transferred in and out of hospice care received transfusions outside hospice.
  • Males and nonwhites were less likely to enroll in hospice and more likely to receive chemotherapy or be admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) at the end of life.
  • Older patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy or have ICU admission, and were more likely to enroll in hospice.

Citation:

Wang R, Zeidan A, Halene S, et al. Health care use by older adults with acute myeloid leukemia at the end of life. [Published online ahead of print August 7, 2017]. J Clin Oncol. doi:10.1200/JCO.2017.72.7149.

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