Edmonton symptom assessment system for outpatient symptom monitoring of sickle cell disease

Gabriel Lopez, Darla K. Liles, Charles L. Knupp

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: Although the extension of palliative care methodology to sickle cell disease (SCD) care has been proposed, there is no current standard for symptom assessment. Our goalwas to assess the feasibility of integrating the Edmonton SymptomAssessment System(ESAS) into the outpatient management of SCD. Methods: Seventy-five adult patients presenting for outpatient visits at a comprehensive SCD center were enrolled. Patients completed the ESAS(self-report of 10 symptoms during the last 24 hours) and a survey regarding their opinion of the ESAS at enrollment and follow-up. Results: Pain (P = 0.0272) was the only symptom score that changed significantly between the initial and follow-up visits. In patients with a self-reported pain crisis, pain (P < 0.0001), fatigue (P = 0.0025), depression (P = 0.0458), nausea (P = 0.0384), and symptom distress scores (P = 0.0019) were significantly higher than for patients without a pain crisis. On the initial visit, 92% of all patients agreed or strongly agreed that the ESAS was easy to complete; 83% were satisfied or very satisfied with the ESAS as a way to report symptoms. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the ESAS is well received and can be successfully included as part of the longitudinal symptom management strategy for SCD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)768-772
Number of pages5
JournalSouthern Medical Journal
Volume107
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

Keywords

  • Edmonton symptom assessment system
  • Palliative care
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Symptom burden

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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