ASSISTÊNCIA NUTRICIONAL NO MANEJO DE SINTOMAS EM PACIENTES HOSPITALIZADOS ELEGÍVEIS A CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS
ASSISTÊNCIA NUTRICIONAL NO MANEJO DE SINTOMAS EM PACIENTES HOSPITALIZADOS ELEGÍVEIS A CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.820811250807
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Palavras-chave: Cuidados paliativos, assistência nutricional, sintomas, qualidade de vida, nutrição hospitalar.
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Keywords: Palliative care, nutritional support, symptoms, quality of life, hospital nutrition.
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Abstract: Detecting symptoms in palliative care patients is extremely important and, once identified, enables multidisciplinary approaches. Recent studies highlight the importance of early identification of physical and emotional signs to improve patients' quality of life. Standardized assessment tools are recommended and have been used to optimize this care. This study aims to identify the most prevalent symptoms in hospitalized patients eligible for palliative care and discuss the role of nutritional assistance in managing these symptoms. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a hospital in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) in twenty patients. The most frequent symptoms were nausea, depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, and general malaise. The study highlighted the importance of nutritionists in the multidisciplinary palliative care team, emphasizing the importance of nutrition as a therapeutic tool capable of alleviating physical and emotional symptoms, in addition to promoting well-being and quality of life. Nutritional assistance is essential for minimizing discomfort, preventing malnutrition, and respecting patients' dietary preferences, contributing significantly to dignity and autonomy at all stages of care, including at the end of life. Late identification of patients eligible for palliative care and the limited availability of specialized services demonstrate the need for greater professional training and expanded provision of this care. These findings reinforce the need for effective integration of nutritional assistance into palliative care protocols, promoting a patient-centered approach.
- Jhéssica Laiane da Luz Rufino
- Renata Borba de Amorim Oliveira