Management of Nausea and Vomiting in Palliative Care – Real Life Data From a Palliative Care Unit in Germany

Abstract

Background

Nausea and vomiting significantly impact the quality of life in palliative care. Due to various underlying causes, treatment approaches vary. However, scientific evidence on pharmacotherapeutic management is limited, complicating treatment decisions. Objective is to assess the current antiemetic treatment approach in palliative care in Germany.

Methods

A retrospective observational study (15 months) was conducted, evaluating clinical records of adult patients admitted to palliative care in a German hospital. Symptom burden (Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS®)), suspected aetiology, antiemetics, treatment quality and drug-related problems (DRPs) were evaluated.

Results

We included 330 patients (median age 71 years, 50.9% female), of which 172 (52%) experienced nausea/vomiting in 230 treatment episodes. Symptoms were more prevalent in cancer-patients (P = 0.002) and women (P = 0.002). Main aetiologies were intestinal obstruction (59/230, 25.7%), hypomotility (31/230, 16.1%), and raised intracranial pressure (23/230, 10.0%). Nearly 70% experienced a reduction of symptom burden within the first 3 days, with faster symptom relief and shorter episodes in cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients (median length 3d vs 2d). DRPs were documented in 213/230 episodes (92.6%), indicating high interaction potential of antiemetics (87.4%). Manifest DRPs affected patients due to ineffective treatment (29.0%) or side effects (6.5%).

Conclusions

One-third experienced inadequate symptom control with the current treatment, underscoring the complexity of managing nausea/vomiting in palliative care and the need for a systematic approach. This study emphasizes the importance of evidence-based guidelines and further research into underutilized antiemetics, along with improved medical education in an interdisciplinary team to enhance treatment quality.