Home care versus hospital care in patients with multiple myeloma treated with pamidronate

Long-term bisphosphonate therapy has been shown to offer clinical benefit in the management of multiple myeloma. This study sought to explore the feasibility and potential advantages of monthly home-based intravenous infusions of pamidronate in patients with multiple myeloma. In a prospective crosso...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	International journal of palliative nursing Vol. 10; no. 3; p. 144
Main Authors:	Smith, Alastair G, Soutar, Richard L, Schey, Steven, Andrews, Christopher D, Baister, Elizabeth R, Bilbrough, Carol, Connelly, Marie, Joyce, Ann, Child, J Anthony
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England 01-03-2004
Subjects:	Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use Attitude to Health Cross-Over Studies Diphosphonates - adverse effects Diphosphonates - therapeutic use Feasibility Studies Female Home Infusion Therapy - nursing Home Infusion Therapy - psychology Home Infusion Therapy - standards Hospitalization Humans Male Middle Aged Multiple Myeloma - drug therapy Multiple Myeloma - nursing Multiple Myeloma - psychology Program Evaluation Prospective Studies Quality of Life Surveys and Questionnaires Treatment Outcome United Kingdom
Online Access:	Get more information
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Long-term bisphosphonate therapy has been shown to offer clinical benefit in the management of multiple myeloma. This study sought to explore the feasibility and potential advantages of monthly home-based intravenous infusions of pamidronate in patients with multiple myeloma. In a prospective crossover, multicentre trial, 37 patients were randomly allocated to receive 3 months of treatment with pamidronate given in the home followed by 3 months of treatment with pamidronate given in hospital or vice versa. Results from a patient preference questionnaire indicated most patients preferred treatment at home. Quality-of-life measurement was undertaken using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. The results indicated a small, generally consistent, although not statistically significant, trend in favour of home care treatment. Extra nursing specialist time was required for home therapy. Home therapy with pamidronate in patients with multiple myeloma appeared feasible and safe and was preferred by patients in this study.
ISSN:	1357-6321
DOI:	10.12968/ijpn.2004.10.3.12602