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Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Care

Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Care. Revised 2019: Dustin DeMoss, DO , Assistant Professor, Univ. North Texas HSC Anthony Nguyen, DO , John Peter Smith/Univ. North Texas HSC Revised 2013: Ryan Kimmel, MD , Assistant Professor, Univ. of Washington

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Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Care

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  1. Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Care Revised 2019: Dustin DeMoss, DO, Assistant Professor, Univ. North Texas HSC Anthony Nguyen, DO, John Peter Smith/Univ. North Texas HSC Revised 2013: Ryan Kimmel, MD, Assistant Professor, Univ. of Washington Revised 2011: Kristen Brooks, MD, Assistant Professor, UCSF Original version: Bradford D. Bobrin, MD, Medical Director, ACT Program, Division Chief, Psychiatry Consult Service, The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Reading, PA Version of March 15, 2019 APM Resident Education Curriculum

  2. Learning Objectives Review potential psychiatric comorbidities in the palliative care and psych-oncologic patient population Become familiar with diagnostic challenges and modalities commonly used in palliative care and in psycho-oncology Review current evidence based treatment guidelines for those with psychiatric diagnoses in the palliative care and psycho-oncologic patient population Appropriately identify and screen individuals with risk of substance use disorders

  3. Palliative Care and Psychosomatics James L Levenson, M.D., 2005. • Hospice began in France in 1840s • Involves all stages of life-threatening illness • Includes psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural issues • World Health Organization defines palliative care as: • An approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness through the prevention and relief of suffering.

  4. Palliative Care and Psychosomatics James L Levenson, M.D., 2005. • Palliative care: • Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process • Neither hastens nor postpones death • Provides relief from pain and other symptoms • Integrates the psychological and spiritual • Offers support system to help patient live as actively as possible • Helps family cope • Utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to address the needs of the patient and their families • Is applicable early in the course of illness in conjecture with other therapies that are intended to prolong life.

  5. Psychiatry and Palliative CareWorking Together Towards a Common Goal JLSpeiss, 2002; Tan et al., 2005, Fairman 2013 • Palliative care’s goal is to relieve symptoms and suffering and improve the quality of life for the patient and their families. • Palliative informs psychiatry • Assessment and treatment of pain • Bereavement • Anticipatory loss • Psychiatry informs palliative care • Assessment of psychiatric illness and mental status changes • Evaluation of capacity • Psychiatric treatment • Insight into personality structure and communication issues • Conflict resolution • Patient physician relationship • Recognize the formation of an attachment as a consequence of working towards a common goal

  6. Psychiatric Aspects of Cancer Treatment James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, SLB Mueller 2005, Desmarais 2010 • Chemotherapy • Drug interactions • Procarbazine is a weak MAOI • Paroxetine , fluoxetine, duloxetine and bupropion are strong 2D6 inhibitors and may decrease the efficacy of tamoxifen due to enzyme inhibition , thus reducing levels of tamoxifen’s active metabolite (endoxifen). • Venlafaxine likely the safest antidepressant and can help with tamoxifen induced hot flashes • Citalopram and escitalopram are reasonable as well. • Radiation • Increased fatigue, N/V, and anxiety • Bone Marrow Transplant • Depression and anxiety, N/V, fatigue, adjustment d/o, dependence (dependent needs are associated with poorer survival), neurocognitive deficits due to CNS toxicity

  7. Psychiatric Issues Following Cancer Treatment JR Sattin 2009, SLB Muller 2005, Takechi 2003 • 3-55% get depressed following breast cancer treatment • Cognitive problems include disturbed consciousness, cognitive problems, executive problems. In a study of 8,921 women with breast cancer • Women who got surgery and chemo had increased rates of adjustment d/o and fatigue • Mood disorders were similar in chemo and non-chemo groups • No issues with cognitive disorder

  8. Common Psychiatric Issues In the Psycho-oncologic and Palliative Care Population James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, Wyszynski, 2005 • Anxiety • Bereavement and Grief • Depression • Delirium

  9. Depression and Cancer CP van Wilgen 2006, JL Levinson 2005, KM Brintzenhofe 2009 • May lead to poor treatment adherence and possibly decreased survival • Increased rates of depression in cancer patients over the general population • 25% rate overall • Differs for different cancers • Orophargngeal 22-57% • Pancreatic 33-50% • Breast 1.5-46% • Lung 11-44% • Depression appears to be less common in colon cancer, gynecological malignancies and lymphoma

  10. Depression and Cancer Progression and Mortality JR Satin 2009, Sotelo 2014 • Depression found to be a small but significant predictor of mortality • 26% greater mortality with depressive symptoms • 39% greater mortality with MDD • Depression may be independent risk factor for mortality • Depression not associated with cancer progression • Chronic inflammation is associated with stress and may underlie depression symptoms. • Biomarkers for pro-inflammatory cytokines are increased in cancer patients

  11. Assessing Depression in the Terminally Ill James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, Takechi 2003 Diagnosis often relies more on psychological or cognitive symptoms than physical complaints Hopelessness that is pervasive with despair and despondency likely indicates depression Suicidal ideation, even mild or passive, more likely to indicate significant depression

  12. Treatment of Depression in Terminally Ill James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, Wyszynski 2005, Gao 2018, • Prognosis and time frame affect medication choice • SSRIs for person with several months • Low dose stimulants for those with several weeks • Sedatives or narcotic infusions for those with hours to days • Start antidepressants at half the usual starting dose • Methylphenidate 2.5-5mg in morning and noon • Maximum dose is usually less than 30mg/day. • Psychotherapy • Mixture of supportive, CBT and medications. • Newer modalities such as meaning-centered psychotherapy and dignity-conserving care have also been found to be helpful • Music therapy • Shown to reduce pain, decrease anxiety and depression and improve quality of life

  13. Somatic Symptoms and Depression in Cancer Takechi 2003, Van Wilgen 2006 Mueller 2005 • Somatic symptoms of depression in cancer patients • Appetite changes and decreased ability to think coincided with anhedonia • Sleep disturbance and fatigue not significantly associated with non-somatic symptoms • Appetite changes associated with increased severity of depression

  14. Mixed Depression/Anxiety in Cancer Patients KM Brintzenhofe-Szoc 2009 • 8,265 patients with cancer • Mixed symptoms in 12.4% • Depression in 18.3% • Anxiety in 24% • 70% had neither • Mixed symptoms in stomach, pancreatic, head and neck and lung cancers • Lower rates in those with breast cancers • Mixed symptoms in 2/3 of depressed cancer patients

  15. Suicidal Ideation and Cancer James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, Fang 2012 • Passive SI common • Relative risk of suicide was 12.6 within first week of cancer diagnosis • Relative risk is 3.1 within the first year of diagnosis • Risk factors • Regular risk factors for suicide in the general population • Advanced disease and poor prognosis • Delirium • Pain • Physical, social, and/or financial exhaustion • Need for control

  16. Suicide and Suicidal Ideation in Palliative Care James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, Wilson 2015 • 3-20% have pervasive and sincere wish to die. • Risk Factors • All regular risk factors for suicidality are important to consider • Age, race, history of suicide attempts, psychiatric illness, means, etc • Advanced stages of the disease • Hopelessness • Uncontrolled pain • Confusional states (delirium) • Loss of control and sense of helplessness • Fatigue of all forms • Physical • Financial • Social support • Suicidal ideation needs to be addressed, but psychiatric hospitalization may not be indicated in some cases

  17. Desire for Hastened Death James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, Emanuel 2016 • States that allow physician assisted death • Oregon, Washington, Vermont, California, Montana, Colorado, Washington DC, Hawaii • Risks • Depression plays a role in requests for hastened death • Patients with depression were noted to have a 4x higher likelihood of desire for hastened death • Depression and hopelessness are the strongest predictors of desire for hastened death in terminally ill patients • These patients have higher levels of pain and less support • Psychological distress, social factors, spiritual distress and feeling like one is a burden contribute • Management of physical and psychological distress is likely the best treatment • Increasingly legalized but still relatively rare. Primary involves cancer patients. • Main motivations for physician assisted death • Loss of autonomy and dignity, decreased quality of life, Mental distress

  18. Depression and Cancer SM Thekadi 2015 • SSRI remains the first line treatment • Possibility of inflammation as a cofactor or even etiological reason for depression. SSRIs found to have anti-inflammatory properties on microglia. • SSRIs may even have anti tumor effect. There have been in vitro studies that show SSRIs having apoptotic effects in hepatocellular carcinoma cells • Concurrent depression and cancer related symptoms • Mirtazapine: Helps with insomnia, nausea and anorexia. • Bupropion : Helps with fatigue, poor concentration, or nicotine dependence • Venlafaxine, Duloxetine or low dose TCA: Helps with neuropathic pain • Venlafaxine and SSRI: Helps alleviate hot flashes from hormone therapy

  19. Depression in Palliative Care James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, Mitchell 2011 • Prevalence 13-20% • Loss of meaning and lower spiritual well-being lead to higher levels of depressive symptoms • Pain and functional status also factors in increased rates of depression • Underlying medical conditions may also contribute to depressive symptoms • CNS lesions, metabolic-endocrine complications and paraneoplastic syndromes • Treatment of medical conditions may also induce depressive symptoms • Whole brain radiation, corticosteroids, vincristine, vinblastine, asparaginase, intrathecal methotrexate, interferon, amphotericin

  20. Demoralization vs. Depression Slide adapted from Mitch Levy, Univ of Washington Demoralization • Characterized by “various degrees of helplessness, confusion and subjective incompetence” to adversity. • Shorter duration than depression • Reactive to family and supports • Specific to stressors • “How would you be coping if this went away?”

  21. Demoralization • Kissane, 2000 • Diagnostic Criteria • 1. Patient experiences emotional distress such as hopelessness and losing life’s purpose • 2. A general attitude of helplessness, failure pessimism, and lack of worthwhile future • 3. Reduced coping to respond differently • 4. Social isolation and lack of social support • 5. Persistence of the above for >2 weeks • 6. Features of major depression are not superseded as primary disorder.

  22. Treatment Targets for Brief Psychotherapy for Demoralization: Resilience• Coherence• Communion • Hope• Agency• Purpose• Courage• Gratitude Griffith and Gaby,, Psychosomatics, 2005 Existential Postures of Vulnerability and Resilience Vulnerability • Confusion• Isolation• Despair • Helplessness• Meaninglessness • Cowardice• Resentment

  23. Overall Psychological Treatment Goals James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, JL Speiss, 2002, LW Roberts 2004 • Help patients maintain control of their lives • Assist in developing healthy coping strategies • Help control • Anger • Denial • Panic • Despair • Fears of rejection and abandonment • Help establish self-respect by assisting with resolution of guilt, shame and self-blame • Help with communication and the maintenance of support systems

  24. Overall Psychological Treatment Goals James L Levenson, M.D., 2005 Help maintain interpersonal relationships Help develop strategies to deal with real and anticipated crises Help identify and address “unfinished business” Work with patient to explore meaning of death Help manage depression and anxiety or other psychiatric symptoms that may result from psychological issues or effects of treatment

  25. Dignity Conserving Treatment Chochinov, H, 2007 • Dignity therapy • Treatment is based on strong association with undermined dignity and: • Depression • Anxiety • Desire for death • Hopelessness • Feeling of being a burden on others • Overall poorer quality of life • Some studies even suggest that psychosocial and existential issues may be of greater concern than pain and physical symptoms

  26. Dignity Conserving Treatment Chochinov, H, 2007 • Dignity therapy • Primary themes of dignity: • Generativity • Life has stood for something • Continuity of self • Maintain one’s essence is intact • Role preservation • Being able to maintain a sense of identification with roles previously held • Maintenance of pride • Ability to sustain positive self-regard

  27. Dignity Conserving Treatment Chochinov, H, 2007 • Dignity therapy • Primary themes of dignity (cont.): • Hopefulness • Ability to find and maintain a sense of meaning or purpose • Aftermath concerns • Worries or fears concerning the burden death will impose on others • Care tenor • Attitude and manner with which others interact with the patient either promotes or diminishes dignity • Many of these are also essential to a patient maintaining a sense of control and integrity in any setting

  28. Dignity Conserving Treatment Chochinov, H, 2007; Bennington-Davis, M, 2005 • Dignity therapy (provider): • Treatment of the provider consists of an A, B, C, D approach to teaching interactions • The hope is to allow care givers, institutions, and families a way to better interact with patients to achieve the desired effect • Our thoughts about an interaction with a patient shape the interaction itself • Engagement Model

  29. Dignity Conserving Treatment Chochinov, H, 2007 • Dignity therapy (provider): • A—Attitudes • How would I feel in this situation? • What leads me to think that way? • Am I aware of how I might be affecting the patient?

  30. Dignity Conserving Treatment Chochinov, H, 2007 • Dignity therapy (provider): • B—Behaviors • Treat contact with patients as you would any important intervention • Always ask permission to do something • Act in a professional and respectful way at all times • Examples • Knock on the patient’s door • Use the patient’s proper name and title unless given permission to do otherwise

  31. Dignity Conserving Treatment Chochinov, H, 2007 • Dignity therapy (provider): • C—Compassion • Very difficult to “train” • Medical Humanities in school • Considering the personal stories • D—Dialogue • “What should I now about you as a person to help me take the best care of you that I can?” • “Who else (or what) will be affected by what’s happening?”

  32. Promoting Resilience Slide adapted from Mitch Levy, Univ of Washington • Assess for prior strengths and life challenges. –What have you overcome previously like this? –What has helped in the past? –How do you cope with adversity? • Engage the family and members of the treatment team.

  33. Anxiety in Palliative Care James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, Wyszynski, 2005, LW Roberts 2004, Spencer 2010, Mitchell 2011 Ranges from 6.8-13.2% and is most often comorbid with depression Prevalence increases with advanced disease and decline in physical status Includes fears of clinical course, treatment outcomes, death, social stigma, and/or physical symptoms (such as dyspnea or pain) Women, more physical impairment and younger patients with advanced cancer were more likely to develop anxiety disorders A trusting physician-patient relationship is critical to minimize patient shame, humiliation, and power imbalance

  34. Causes of Anxiety in Palliative Care James L Levenson, M.D., 2005,Wyszynski 2005 • Preexisting anxiety disorder • Anxiety symptoms can be caused by various untreated medical complications • Hypoxia • Pain • Medication side effects • Substance withdrawal • Pulmonary embolism (PE) • Electrolyte imbalance, • Dehydration • Fear of isolation and separation of death

  35. Anxiety Treatment in Palliative Care James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, Salt 2017 • Benzodiazepines • Multiple routes of administration (PO, IV, IM or PR) • Neuroleptics may be safest when there is a concern of respiratory depression • Multiple routes of administration (PO, IV, or IM) • Supportive psychotherapy, guided imagery, and hypnosis • SSRIs of limited value in patient when life expectancy is only a few days to weeks • There is lack of evidence for effectiveness of drug therapy in this patient population

  36. Anxiety and Cancer MH Antoni 2006, JL Levenson 2005, Cardoso 2015 • Common at start of treatment, recurrence, progression or at follow-up visits • 30% of patients had clinical anxiety after diagnosis of cancer • 3-10% PTSD in patients with breast cancer • Multiple potential medical etiologies of anxiety symptoms • Nausea • Akathisia • PE • Pain

  37. Anxiety and Cancer SM Thekadi 2015 • Treatment • SSRI remains the primary approach to generalized anxiety and prevention of panic attacks • Short term use of Benzodiazepines are well tolerated, safe and effective drugs for anxiety. • Anterograde amnestic properties help to lessen the negative impact of cancer treatment experiences. • Short acting BZD may be used for procedure related anxiety, anticipatory anxiety, or specific phobias • Non-BZD drugs reduce risk of abuse or dependence • Gabapentin, beta blockers, Buspirone and Hydroxyzine found to be helpful for anxiety.

  38. Mania in Cancer JL Levinson, 2005 Recurrence of pre-existing illness Steroids Infection Diencephalic tumors

  39. Mood Stabilizers SM Thekadi 2015 • Help with impulsivity, irritability and temper dysregulation. • Also treat neuropathic pain, hot flashes and seizure prophylaxis • Lithium: rarely started in the cancer context • Risk of dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, renal dysfunction, and drug interactions. • Valproic acid and Carbamazepine: helpful for mood stabilization. Carry risks of hematological suppression and hepatotoxicity

  40. Mood Stabilizers SM Thekadi 2015 • Gabapentin or Pregabalin: • Helps manage hot flashes, neuropathic pain and postherpetic neurolgia • Has anxiolytic and sedative effects • No Cyp450 interaction. Cleared renally. • Oxcarbazepine: Recent open label study showed it may be helpful in prevention of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.

  41. Psychosis and cancer SM Thekadi 2015 Primary psychosis Delirium Psychosis due to medical condition Medication induced psychosis

  42. Antipsychotics SM Thekadi 2015 • Side effects of select antipsychotics can help target symptoms common to cancer patients. Symptoms include anxiety, nausea, hiccups, loss of appetite, and insomnia. • Haloperidol continues to be gold standard for delirium • New RTC shows that lorazepam + haloperidol provides superior control to agitated delirium in advanced cancer patients • Aripiprazole may uniquely be activating for hypoactive delirium • Recent meta-analysis showed a 50% reduction in postoperative delirium for elderly patient given prophylactic antipsychotics

  43. Antipsychotics SM Thekadi 2015 Antipsychotics may be preferred to BZD for acute anxiety. Less risk of AMS and respiratory depression. Low dose quetiapine or olanzapine may be used for insomnia when sedative hypnotics are deemed too risky. Haloperidol and chlorpromazine may be used for intractable hiccups Haloperidol and olanzapine may help with nausea Olanzapine is efficacious for chemo induced nausea and vomiting Olanzapine and quetiapine helpful for weight loss and anorexia.

  44. Bereavement and Grief • Bereavement: Situation in which someone who is close dies • Grief : Natural response to bereavement • Feelings: Some may experience shock, sadness, anger, anxiety, disbelief, panic, numbness,. • Physical: Insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and pain. • Behaviors: Substance use, less attention to self care, impulsive or harmful behaviors • Stages of Grief: • Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.

  45. Bereavement and Grief James L Levenson, M.D., 2005, LW Roberts 2004 • Anticipatory Grief • Draws family closer • Acute Grief • Numbness  Distress  Disorganization  Reorganization Recovery and progression • Complicated Grief • Complicated by depression, anxiety, and substance use • Chronic Grief • Social withdrawal and isolation along with a fantasy of reunion may lead to suicidal ideation • Traumatic Grief • Often complicated by the inability to communicate “good-bye”

  46. Delirium in Palliative Care JL Levinson 2005, Y. Alici 2009 • Prevalence of 62-88% especially in the last weeks of life • Rates of cognitive impairment rise just prior to death in up to 62% in cancer patients • Terminal delirium has a 88% prevalence before death • In one study 54% recalled their delirium after recovery • The biggest risk factor for distress during episodes of delirium are the presence of delusions • Delirium may not be reversible in the last 24-48h of life (terminal delirium)

  47. Delirium in Palliative Care Y. Alici 2009 • There are 2 subtypes of Delirium to consider • Hyperactive – Easier and more commonly diagnosed type. Characterized by restlessness, agitation, hypervigilance, hallucinations and delusions. • Hypoactive – More difficult to diagnose. Characterized by psychomotor retardation, lethargy, and reduced awareness of surrounding. Often misdiagnosed as depression or severe fatigue. • In a hospice setting 29% of 100 acute admissions were found to have delirium, of these 86% of them had hypoactive delirium. • Hypoactive subtype has a higher risk of mortality compared to hyperactive subtype.

  48. Delirium (continued) JL Levinson 2005 • Variable rates of resolution • One study showed a 68% improvement rate despite 31% mortality in 30 days • Another study a cause was found in 43% and 1/3 improved • Another study showed that 50% of episodes of delirium in the last week of life were reversible • Potential causes of delirium in the terminally ill often include… • Dehydration • Psychoactive or opioid medications • Hypoxia • Other metabolic derangements

  49. Substance misuse/use disorders in Oncology and Palliative Care Opiates are frequently used in these populations. Screenings for substance misuse and or use disorders are infrequent (less than half according to a recent survey; Tan 2015). Even fewer palliative care clinics have policies regarding the issue of substance misuse despite the staff reporting to have received training in managing substance misuse or use disorders.

  50. Substance misuse/use disorders in Oncology and Palliative Care • Passik and Portenoy 1998 have developed guidelines for the management of patients with aberrant drug taking in terminal and oncologic patients. • Primary goals in these guidelines are harm reduction and patient compliance • Some of their recommendations include • Consideration of a written contract between the team and patient • Inclusion of spot urine toxicology screens to assess compliance • Set expectations regarding attendance at the clinic • Management of medication supplies

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