A Clinical and cost comparison of cancer and non-cancer patients in palliative care

Objective: As in many parts of the world, palliative healthcare systems were initially established for the care of cancer patients, but expanded in time to cover other patients, as well. The aim of this study was to compare cancer and non-cancer patients receiving palliative care in the city of Canakkale, Turkey, in terms of their clinical and demographic data, treatment times, and costs. Method: All patients hospitalized in Canakkale State Hospital Palliative Care Unit between December 01, 2016 and December 01, 2017 were included in our study. Their demographic data, diagnoses, lengths of stay, mortality rates, and treatment costs were recorded retrospectively. Results: The study included a total of 415 patients, of which 187 (45.1%) were female. Mean age was 76.54 and the range of distribution was 24-100. Mortality developed in 162 (39%) of all patients and 253 (61%) were discharged. A comparison of cancer and non-cancer patients showed that mean age of the former group was significantly lower. Hospital stay and treatment costs of patients hospitalized for diseases other than cancer were found to be significantly higher than those of cancer patients.  Conclusions: Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families. As the costs of healthcare in intensive care units kept increasing, palliative care centers started to spread worldwide. Palliative care service includes cancer patients as well as those suffering from chronic neurological diseases and geriatric patients. Palliative care services are expected to increase and expand gradually as the average life increases. Therefore, it deserves better attention as a discipline.