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Diseases

Inadequate Palliative Care for Non-Oncological Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Patients with chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) often receive substandard palliative care compared to those with cancer, a recent study has shown. The research, conducted in Germany, analyzed claims data from 2016 to 2019 and found that non-oncological patients in community care were less frequently and less adequately cared for. This disparity in care highlights the need for improved palliative care services for patients with non-oncological conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed claims data from 2016 to 2019, involving 4,036 patients with COPD, 40,853 patients with dementia, and 608 patients with ALS.
  • Non-oncological patients in community care were less frequently and less adequately cared for than oncological patients, with a higher utilization of emergency services.
  • Patients with COPD, dementia, and ALS had a higher frequency of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays and emergency service utilization compared to those with cancer.
  • Logistic regression analyses revealed that non-oncological patients were more likely to utilize emergency services, with 40.4% of COPD patients, 28.4% of dementia patients, and 29.0% of ALS patients using emergency services, compared to 24.4% of cancer patients.
  • The study emphasizes the need for improved palliative care services for patients with non-oncological conditions, particularly in community care settings.

Statistics:

  • 4,036 patients with COPD were included in the study.
  • 40,853 patients with dementia were included in the study.
  • 608 patients with ALS were included in the study.
  • 58,315 patients with cancer were included in the study for comparison.
  • 40.4% of COPD patients utilized emergency services, compared to 24.4% of cancer patients.
  • 28.4% of dementia patients utilized emergency services, compared to 24.4% of cancer patients.
  • 29.0% of ALS patients utilized emergency services, compared to 24.4% of cancer patients.
  • Non-oncological patients in community care were less frequently and less adequately cared for, with a higher utilization of emergency services.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Findings on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease from Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena Summarized [Quality of Palliative Care In Nursing Homes and Community Care In Deceased With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Copd), Dementia, ...]. Respiratory Therapeutics Week. October 13, 2025; p 541.
  • Journal of Palliative Care. Quality of Palliative Care In Nursing Homes and Community Care In Deceased With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Copd), Dementia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als), and Cancer: a Retrospective Analysis of Claims Data (2016-2019). 2025.

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