18627 Background: One of the most important role of a end-of-life care is to control physical symptoms of patients and help them to face comfortable end. In terminally ill cancer patients, accurate prediction of survival is necessary for clinical and ethical reasons, especially in helping to avoid harm, discomfort and inappropriate therapies and in planning specific care strategies. The aim of the study was to investigate prognostic factor of death for the patients with terminal cancer. Methods: We enrolled 121 patients with the terminal cancer of Kangnam St. Mary’s Hospital from September 2004 until their death. We observed symptoms shown in dying patients and assess 17 common symptoms shown in terminally ill cancer patients, performance status, pain and analgesic use. The common symptoms were measured in a score of 0-none, 1-mild, 2-moderate, 3-severe or 4-severe by objective criteria. Results: Mean period from enrollment to death was 34.7days. The most important prognostic factor is performance status (KPS), average KPS at enrollment is 52.2% and at last 48hours is 29.8%. Physical symptoms that have significant prognostic importance are weakness, anorexia, dry mouth, dysphagia, dyspnea. VAS and analgesic use dose not impact on the prognosis. But cognitive impairment and delirium are the reliable prognostic factor. Especially weakness, dry mouth, poor oral intake, drowsiness, edema, dyspnea, ascites, icterua gradually worsened with significance. Dying patients showed markedly decreased blood pressure, cyanosis, cold extremity, death rattle, abnormal respiration frequently at 48hours before death. Conclusions: Terminally ill cancer patients have various prognostic factor and the most important factor is performance status. The death predictive symptoms such as markedly decreased pressure, cyanosis, cold extremity, death rattle, abnormal respiration appeared at last 48hours. If we assess the symptoms more carefully, we can predict the more accurate prognosis. The communication about the prognostic information will influence the personal therapeutic decision and specific care planning. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Uric Acid as a Prognostic Factor for Survival Time: A Prospective Cohort Study of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients