Preventive medication deprescribing in advanced cancer patients approaching end of life

Abstract

Previous reports indicated many patients with advanced cancer and limited life expectancy have ongoing preventive medication prescription (PMP) of uncertain benefit and increased risk. Our review of palliative care oncology admissions found high rates of PMP (69%) at time of first palliative care admission, despite high rates of inpatient deprescription (88%) and death at a median of 16 days (interquartile range 10–45) following admission. Rates of PMPs did not vary by time from last systemic treatment (P = 0.29) or by prior palliative care involvement (P = 0.82). Physicians and the wider multidisciplinary care team may be missing deprescription opportunities for terminally ill patients.