BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care最新文献

{"title":"Caregiver outcomes in nurse-led telephonic versus specialty palliative care for the seriously ill.","authors":"Richelle J Cooper, Oscar de la Rosa, Mara Flannery, Allison Cuthel, Rebecca Liddicoat Yamarik, Keith S Goldfeld, Corita R Grudzen","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2026-006291","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2026-006291","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong> Caregivers of persons living with serious illness suffer from stress, anxiety and depression. We aim to assess caregiver strain, quality of life (QOL) and bereavement of caregivers of patients enrolled in Emergency Medicine Palliative Care Access (EMPallA), a multicentre randomised controlled trial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients and caregivers were recruited between April 2018 and June 2022 in 18 emergency departments in the USA. Caregiver inclusion criteria were 18 years or older, spoke English or Spanish, and were primary caregivers of enrolled patients. We randomised patient-caregiver dyads at the patient level. Caregivers were encouraged to accompany patients in both care models (nurse-led telephonic palliative care or specialty palliative care), although there was no specific caregiver intervention. We performed mixed effects linear regression models to assess change in caregiver strain and QOL at 6 months and bereavement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 323 caregivers, mean age was 56.9 (SD 14.2), 221 (68%) were female and 77 (24%) were Black. The analysis did not reveal any differences in caregiver strain, QOL, and bereavement between the two care models. The estimated difference in average change in strain scores between groups was -1.6 points (95% CI: -3.4 to 0.3), average change in caregiver physical QOL was 0.5 (95% CI: -0.9 to 1.8), average change in caregiver mental health QOL was 1.8 (95% CI: -0.1 to 3.6) and average change in bereavement scores was 1.8 (95% CI: -2.9 to 6.6).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study did not demonstrate that nurse-led telephonic care improved caregiver strain, QOL or bereavement outcomes compared with traditional outpatient palliative care.</p><p><strong>Trial registration number: </strong>NCT03325985.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148982286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Virtual supportive oncology in a multi-speciality cancer network: demographic profiles, rural-urban utilisation patterns and operational performance.","authors":"Arunkumar Krishnan, Beth York","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2026-006472","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2026-006472","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Virtual health has the potential to improve access to supportive oncology and improve operational performance; however, real-world data across multi-speciality cancer programmes are limited. This study evaluated virtual visit utilisation, operational metrics and patient demographics by rurality within a large supportive oncology network.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective analysis of all supportive oncology encounters (January 2021-December 2024) at a 10-site cancer network encompassing palliative medicine, senior oncology, integrative oncology and psycho-oncology. Operational metrics, including cancellation, no-show, same-day and 3-day access, were compared between virtual and onsite visits using two-proportion z-tests (n=45 777). Demographic characteristics (gender, race, age, payer) of unique patients (n=6722; July 2023-December 2024) were compared across rural, suburban and urban categories using χ² tests. We assessed patient satisfaction using National Research Corporation Health surveys.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 45 777 encounters, 14 353 (10.1%) were virtual and palliative medicine comprised 33.6% of these visits. Virtual visits had lower cancellation rates (23.0% vs 38.0%; absolute difference -15.0 percentage points (95% CI -16.3 to -13.7); p<0.001) and higher same-day access (15.0% vs 8.0%; p<0.001) than onsite visits. Urban patients represented 89.7% of virtual users. Significant differences in gender, race, age and payer mix were seen across rurality categories (all p≤0.004): rural patients were more frequently male (39.9% vs 30.9%), White (77.3% vs 63.3%) and Medicare-covered (54.1% vs 46.8%) compared with urban patients. Patient satisfaction was 94.3% \"likely to recommend.\"</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Virtual supportive oncology demonstrated superior operational performance compared with onsite visits and was used primarily by urban patients with high symptom burdens. These findings suggest that convenience and clinical need, rather than geographic distance, drive adoption. Demographic differences across rurality should inform equitable programme development, including targeted outreach to underrepresented non-urban populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148982295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Malnutrition risk in patients with lung cancer and its association with depression, anxiety and stress.","authors":"Sedat Arslan, Büşra Dağci Günal, Hülya Bulut","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2026-006295","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2026-006295","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to examine malnutrition risk and its association with depression, anxiety and stress levels in hospitalised patients with lung cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This correlational study included 456 individuals aged over 18 years who were diagnosed with lung cancer and hospitalised in a chest diseases hospital. Data were collected using an Introductory Information Form, the Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Malnutrition risk was detected in 92.5% of the patients. This high prevalence should be interpreted in light of the clinical characteristics of the sample, which predominantly consisted of patients with advanced-stage and metastatic lung cancer. Factors associated with malnutrition risk included cancer stage, metastasis status, number of meals, skipping meals, age and body mass index. Depression, anxiety and stress were associated with malnutrition risk in bivariate analyses; however, only stress remained independently associated after multivariable adjustment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Malnutrition risk was highly prevalent among hospitalised patients with lung cancer. Psychological symptoms were associated with malnutrition risk in bivariate analyses; however, only stress remained independently associated with malnutrition risk in multivariable analysis. These findings support the integration of nutritional risk screening and psychological assessment in hospitalised patients with lung cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148891084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of cachexia in advanced cancer and its impact on death: a retrospective analysis.","authors":"Michael S Yule, Flora Flinn, Elizabeth Mitchell, Jonathan Grey, Ratish Balagangatharan, Christian Montgomery, Leo R Brown, Duncan J F Brown, Barry J A Laird, Richard J E Skipworth","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2026-006305","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2026-006305","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Cancer cachexia (CC) reduces treatment efficacy, quality of life and survival. However, few contemporary data quantify its prevalence or impact on death. This study assessed cachexia prevalence in advanced cancer using multiple diagnostic frameworks and explored its role in cancer-related mortality.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted of all deaths over 3 years (August 2020 to August 2023) at a specialist palliative care unit. Using clinical, biochemical and CT body composition data, four definitions of CC (Evans <i>et al</i>, Fearon <i>et al</i>, Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) and the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score) were applied. A cachexia-related death was defined as one of global deterioration, infection, thrombo-embolic event or cardiac failure. Paired within-patient analysis compared measurements 30-90 days versus <30 days before death. Only patients with both measurements were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 513 cancer-related deaths over 3 years, with lung (n=122, 23.8%) and colorectal (n=65, 12.7%) cancer most prevalent. 91.9% (n=421/458) of patients, with available data, met at least one definition of CC, with estimates ranging from 67.6% (Fearon, n=171/253) to 91.6% (GLIM, n=262/286) for specific definitions. Cachexia contributed to 69.6% (199/286) of deaths. Paired within-patient analyses showed C-reactive protein increased, while haemoglobin, albumin, body mass index and adipose tissue indices declined (all p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings support the hypothesis that cachexia develops in a large proportion of patients with advanced cancer and contributes to most cancer deaths. Highlighting the potential value of earlier identification and intervention during oncological care. Importantly, these results also highlight the importance of recognising cachexia in palliative care so that symptom management can be optimised accordingly.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148863073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated home-hospital paediatric palliative care versus standard management in deceased patients with cancer: retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Iñigo de Noriega, Ricardo Martino, Raquel Jiménez, Dorleta López de Suso, Blanca Herrero","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2025-005413","DOIUrl":"10.1136/spcare-2025-005413","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To analyse differences in the last month of life (LMoL) of patients with paediatric cancer, classified depending on if they were included in an integrated home-hospital paediatric palliative care (PPC) programme with 24-hour assistance or received standard oncology care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospective cohort study of deceased patients with cancer in HIU Niño Jesús, where the Pediatric Palliative Care Unit of Madrid (PPCUM) is located. Patients were classified based on being attended or not by the PPCUM. General epidemiological and oncological trajectory characteristics and care in LMoL were compared. A logistic regression model for PPCUM referral was established.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>198 patients were included, with 50% of them attended by the PPCUM. In the LMoL, patients attended by the PPCUM used fewer devices, red blood cells and platelet transfusions, surgery, invasive procedures and palliative sedation. They stayed a mean of 16.8 days less at hospital and 8.6 days in the intensive care unit, with 65.7% of them dying at home, while none of the control group did. In the logistic model, relapse/recurrence events as well as having a solid tumour with long diseases trajectories were associated with being attended by the PPCUM. In patients with haematological cancer, longer trajectories were associated with less possibility of receiving PPCUM attention.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The PPC Integrated home-hospital programmes were associated with less invasive interventions and hospital stay. Patients with haematological cancer seem to experience barriers to our intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":"1200-1209"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144274228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Subcutaneous betamethasone: an alternative to out-of-stock dexamethasone.","authors":"Jonathan Hindmarsh, Mark Lee","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2025-005602","DOIUrl":"10.1136/spcare-2025-005602","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dexamethasone is the most widely used corticosteroid in palliative care due to its potent anti-inflammatory action. When oral administration is not feasible, dexamethasone is often administered subcutaneously. During a recent shortage of injectable dexamethasone, we were required to consider alternatives. However, evidence and clinical experience regarding the use of alternative subcutaneous corticosteroids in the palliative population remain limited. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and tolerability of subcutaneously administered betamethasone in the palliative demographic as an alternative to out-of-stock dexamethasone injection. Eight patients received subcutaneous betamethasone for various indications, including intracranial hypertension, liver capsule pain, superior vena cava obstruction, malignant spinal cord compression and subacute bowel obstruction. All patients tolerated the treatment at different doses (range 1-16 mg) for various periods (range 6-27 days) without developing injection-site reactions or severe adverse effects. Improvement in symptom scores and relevant clinical assessments were observed. Subcutaneously administered betamethasone was well tolerated and effective in managing various indications in palliative patients, demonstrating its potential as a viable alternative to dexamethasone during stock shortages. Further prospective studies are required to establish its utility and tolerability in this demographic.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":"1115-1118"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144494646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Palliative rehabilitation and quality of life: systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Katherine Pryde, Ali Lakhani, Leeroy William, Amy Dennett","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2024-004972","DOIUrl":"10.1136/spcare-2024-004972","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Importance: </strong>International guidelines recommend the integration of multidisciplinary rehabilitation into palliative care services but its impact on quality of life across disease types is not well understood.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the effect of multidisciplinary palliative rehabilitation on quality of life and healthcare service outcomes for adults with an advanced, life-limiting illness.</p><p><strong>Data sources: </strong>Electronic databases CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PEDro were searched from the earliest records to February 2024.</p><p><strong>Study selection: </strong>Randomised controlled trials examining the effect of multidisciplinary palliative rehabilitation in adults with an advanced, life-limiting illness and reported quality of life were eligible.</p><p><strong>Data extraction and synthesis: </strong>Study characteristics, quality of life and health service usage data were extracted, and the methodological quality was assessed using PEDro. Meta-analyses using random effects were completed, and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria were applied.</p><p><strong>Main outcomes: </strong>Quality of life and healthcare service outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>27 randomised controlled trials (n=3571) were included. Palliative rehabilitation was associated with small improvements in quality of life (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.40, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.56). These effects were significant across disease types: cancer (SMD 0.22, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.41), heart failure (SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.05) and non-malignant respiratory diagnoses (SMD 0.77, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.24). Meta-analysis found low-certainty evidence, palliative rehabilitation reduced the length of stay by 1.84 readmission days.</p><p><strong>Conclusions and relevance: </strong>Multidisciplinary palliative rehabilitation improves quality of life for adults with an advanced, life-limiting illness and can reduce time spent in hospital without costing more than usual care. Palliative rehabilitation should be incorporated into standard palliative care.</p><p><strong>Prospero registration number: </strong>CRD42022372951.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":"1043-1053"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142458003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vitamin E and heart disease: a thematic systematic review.","authors":"Kimia Sharifi, Sima Rafiei, Maryam Masoumi, Mehrshad Sebti, Saba Rabiee, Saghar Khani, Golnaz Kheradkhah, Ahmad Ghashghaee","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2025-005637","DOIUrl":"10.1136/spcare-2025-005637","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The majority of observational studies approved that regular consumption of vitamin E would decrease the risk of cardiovascular events. However, a great number of randomised trials do not support this idea and dismiss the beneficial effect of vitamin E in reducing heart disease risk factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To test this hypothesis and identify whether vitamin E supplementation can reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases, we organised a systematic review to reach out relevant articles. Insert the authors' criteria for inclusion and exclusion of studies; 58 papers were remained in the review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Some of the studies revealed a significant role of vitamin E in preventing CVD, while almost all of the trials suggested no beneficial impact of vitamin E on cardiovascular outcomes. Thus, there is a need for further studies to be conducted in the field.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It is recommended to critically review the results of randomised trials based on a wide range of different parameters, including the form of vitamin E, the duration and dosage of vitamin E consumption, and the synergetic effects of vitamin E with other antioxidants or medication. The intervention studies also need to be considered in terms of specific clinical settings and be improved through successful study designs.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":"1062-1072"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147343483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Red blood cell transfusions in advanced cancer near the end-of-life: narrative review.","authors":"Daniele Marelli, Michela Romelli, Cristina Cornali, Daniela Martinelli, Andrea Sbrana, Cosimo Chelazzi","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2025-005579","DOIUrl":"10.1136/spcare-2025-005579","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are commonly used to manage anemia-related symptoms, such as fatigue and dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer. Their use in palliative care (PC) remains controversial due to the lack of clear guidelines, potential risks, and ethical considerations.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This narrative review aims to evaluate the role of RBC transfusions in patients with advanced cancer and those at the end of life.</p><p><strong>Methods and data sources: </strong>A comprehensive review of relevant existing literature was performed in various databases, using combinations of relevant keywords. Only studies published in English were considered.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Anemia affects up to 77% of men and 68% of women with advanced cancer in palliative care. RBC transfusions may offer temporary symptomatic relief, but evidence supporting their routine use in palliative cancer patients is inconclusive. Studies report subjective response rates ranging from 31% to 70%. Benefits on fatigue and dyspnea often last <2 weeks and 23-35% of patients die within two weeks after the transfusion, raising concerns about futility. Variability in transfusion practices across different palliative care settings highlights the influence of clinician attitudes, resource availability, and institutional policies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>RBC transfusions in advanced cancer and end-of-life care should be considered on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing patient-centered decision-making and ethical considerations. Though the benefit is often short, they may improve the quality of life for highly selected patients. Risks such as adverse reactions and resource allocation concerns must be considered. Further research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines and standardized assessment tools to evaluate transfusion efficacy in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":"1073-1080"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539866/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145225048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oral health in cancer palliative care: cross-sectional study.","authors":"Adarsh Kudva, Arunangshu Ghoshal, Prachi Mishra, Anupama R John, Tarangini Saran, Sreea Roy, Naveen Salins","doi":"10.1136/spcare-2023-004454","DOIUrl":"10.1136/spcare-2023-004454","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Patients on anticancer therapy attending palliative care services often have oral health problems, but not enough is known in this regard (in India). This cross-sectional study aimed to elucidate this issue.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were 98 patients with metastatic cancer (52 males, 46 females) who attended the palliative care clinic and were assessed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of dental health professionals working alongside the palliative care team, between August 2021 and October 2022. Their demographic and medical details were collected from the charts. Details about oral health were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events for dysphagia and xerostomia, Dental Caries Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, and the WHO Mucositis scale. Quality of life was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Module for Oral Health (EORTC QLQ-OH15).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients had an average age of 58 years, with 46.9% having an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 1, and 61 (64.9%) receiving anticancer treatment along with palliative care. Dental issues were prevalent, with 39.5% classified as DMFT score grade 2. Subgroup analysis showed higher mean DMFT scores in head/neck cancers, particularly in those receiving radiation therapy (2.3) versus without (1.7), and older age (p<0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients with cancer on anticancer treatment attending a palliative care clinic, especially those with head/neck cancers and older age, had poor oral health. Further prospective research with a dentist on the team is warranted to assess its impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":9136,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":"1192-1199"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139519937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}