Symptoms Other Than Pain in Palliative Care in Portugal

Objective:To study the burden of patients’ symptoms other than pain and their treatment by Portuguese palliative care teams.Methods:Of the 21 Portuguese palliative care teams identified, 10 accepted to participate. Data from all patients observed on the 18th week of 2011 were collected.Results:One hundred and sixty-four patients were included in this study. One hundred and fifty-one patients (92%) had cancer. The patients’ median age was 71 years (16-95) and 84 (51%) were females. The main symptoms were fatigue (116 [85%]) and depression/sadness (107 [65%]). Many different drugs were used for symptom control and other aims. Symptoms and drugs used here are similar to those practiced in other countries.Conclusion:The practice of palliative care in Portugal seems to be similar to those in other countries.