Clinical and Sociodemographic Profile of Hospice Patients in Southern Sri Lanka: Retrospective Data

Abstract

Background

Over the past 10 years, palliative care has increased in Sri Lanka due to the rising prevalence of chronic illnesses, especially cancer. Hospice centers like the Institute of Palliative Medicine, Sri Lanka provide end-of-life care to patients with terminal illnesses. A vital component of palliative medicine is hospice care, which provides comfort and dignity to patients with terminal illnesses. However, little is known about the biodemographic and clinical characteristics of hospice patients in Sri Lanka. The main aim of this study was to characterize the clinical and biodemographic profile of patients who were admitted to the Institute of Palliative Medicine, Sri Lanka.

Methods

The records of 265 patients admitted to Institute of Palliative Medicine, Sri Lanka were used in a retrospective descriptive study. Data of patients who received treatment at Institute of Palliative Medicine, Sri Lanka from January 2018 to December 2024 were extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze information on domicile, diagnoses, length of stay, age, gender, marital status, and religion.

Results

The hospice patients’ average age was 59.53 ± 17.23 years. Sixty-eight percent of admissions were female. The vast majority of patients were Buddhists (90%) and married (80%). Seventy percent of the patients were from states other than Matara. Clinically, 72% of all diagnoses were for cancer, with the next most common diagnoses being for hypertension (7%), mental illnesses (6%), and neurological problems (6%). Thirty-five percent stayed for less than 10 days, and a significant percentage (40%) stayed between 11 and 30 days.

Conclusions

The majority of patients are referred late, and cancer is the primary reason for hospice admissions at Institute of Palliative Medicine, Sri Lanka. Patient outcomes and quality of life may be enhanced by bolstering community-based palliative care, raising awareness among medical practitioners, and integrating palliative care early.