Place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013
Introduction: Many patients with cancer die in an acute hospital bed, which has been frequently identified as the least preferred location, with psychological and financial implications. This study looks at place and cause of death in patients with lung cancer and identifies which factors are associ...
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| Format: | Article |
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Public Library of Science
2016
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42883/ |
| _version_ | 1848796592581115904 |
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| author | O'Dowd, Emma L. McKeever, Tricia M. Baldwin, David R. Hubbard, Richard B. |
| author_facet | O'Dowd, Emma L. McKeever, Tricia M. Baldwin, David R. Hubbard, Richard B. |
| author_sort | O'Dowd, Emma L. |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Introduction: Many patients with cancer die in an acute hospital bed, which has been frequently identified as the least preferred location, with psychological and financial implications. This study looks at place and cause of death in patients with lung cancer and identifies which factors are associated with dying in an acute hospital bed versus at home.
Methods and Findings: We used the National Lung Cancer Audit linked to Hospital Episode Statistics and Office for National Statistics data to determine cause and place of death in those with lung cancer; both overall and by cancer Network. We used multivariate logistic regression to compare features of those who died in an acute hospital versus those who died at home.
Results: Of 143627 patients identified 40% (57678) died in an acute hospital, 29% (41957) died at home and 17% (24108) died in a hospice. Individual factors associated with death in an acute hospital bed compared to home were male sex, increasing age, poor performance status, social deprivation and diagnosis via an emergency route. There was marked variation between cancer Networks in place of death. The proportion of patients dying in an acute hospital ranged from 28% to 48%, with variation most notable in provision of hospice care (9% versus 33%). Cause of death in the majority was lung cancer (86%), with other malignancies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) comprising 9% collectively.
Conclusions: A substantial proportion of patients with lung cancer die in acute hospital beds and this is more likely with increasing age, male sex, social deprivation and in those with poor performance status. There is marked variation between Networks, suggesting a need to improve end-of-life planning in those at greatest risk, and to review the allocation of resources to provide more hospice beds, enhanced community support and ensure equal access. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:50:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-42883 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:50:26Z |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-428832020-05-04T18:06:00Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42883/ Place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013 O'Dowd, Emma L. McKeever, Tricia M. Baldwin, David R. Hubbard, Richard B. Introduction: Many patients with cancer die in an acute hospital bed, which has been frequently identified as the least preferred location, with psychological and financial implications. This study looks at place and cause of death in patients with lung cancer and identifies which factors are associated with dying in an acute hospital bed versus at home. Methods and Findings: We used the National Lung Cancer Audit linked to Hospital Episode Statistics and Office for National Statistics data to determine cause and place of death in those with lung cancer; both overall and by cancer Network. We used multivariate logistic regression to compare features of those who died in an acute hospital versus those who died at home. Results: Of 143627 patients identified 40% (57678) died in an acute hospital, 29% (41957) died at home and 17% (24108) died in a hospice. Individual factors associated with death in an acute hospital bed compared to home were male sex, increasing age, poor performance status, social deprivation and diagnosis via an emergency route. There was marked variation between cancer Networks in place of death. The proportion of patients dying in an acute hospital ranged from 28% to 48%, with variation most notable in provision of hospice care (9% versus 33%). Cause of death in the majority was lung cancer (86%), with other malignancies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) comprising 9% collectively. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of patients with lung cancer die in acute hospital beds and this is more likely with increasing age, male sex, social deprivation and in those with poor performance status. There is marked variation between Networks, suggesting a need to improve end-of-life planning in those at greatest risk, and to review the allocation of resources to provide more hospice beds, enhanced community support and ensure equal access. Public Library of Science 2016-08-23 Article PeerReviewed O'Dowd, Emma L., McKeever, Tricia M., Baldwin, David R. and Hubbard, Richard B. (2016) Place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013. PLoS ONE, 11 (8). e0161399/1-e0161399/15. ISSN 1932-6203 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0161399 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0161399 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0161399 |
| spellingShingle | O'Dowd, Emma L. McKeever, Tricia M. Baldwin, David R. Hubbard, Richard B. Place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013 |
| title | Place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013 |
| title_full | Place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013 |
| title_fullStr | Place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013 |
| title_short | Place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013 |
| title_sort | place of death in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study from 2004-2013 |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42883/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42883/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42883/ |