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.
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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