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Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Dr
Andrew
McClave
-
a.mcclave@surrey.ac.uk
Dr
Andrew
McClave
-
chelseaii@surrey.ac.uk
Prof
Andrew
Davies
+44 (0)7786260295
andavies@tcd.ie
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
Patients in the last week of life (cancer, non-malignant disease)
This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.
The use of clinically-assisted hydration (CAH) in the last days of life is very variable and controversial because there is no good quality research to show whether it improves (or worsens) end-of-life care. In some cases there is a clear indication to start/continue CAH, whilst in other cases there is a clear indication to not start/discontinue CAH. However, in most cases there is no indication one way or another.
The research team has just completed a feasibility (provisional) study, which included 200 cancer patients from hospices/hospitals in England and Wales. The results suggest that CAH may delay the onset of delirium, but that CAH can cause side effects in some patients (e.g. fluid retention). A larger study is needed to properly evaluate the role of CAH. Recently, the Palliative and end-of-life care Priority Setting Partnership (involving patients, carers, patient support groups, members of the general public, and healthcare professionals) concluded that CAH was an important area for research.
The aim is to assess whether giving cancer patients in the last days of life clinically-assisted hydration (or CAH) is effective at preventing them from experiencing “terminal agitation”. This is a distressing form of delirium that often occurs at end-of-life causing restlessness, anxiety and confusion in the patient, and which is very upsetting for family members. We will also explore if CAH affects other end-of-life symptoms (e.g. shortness of breath), length of survival and costs.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
2022 Protocol article in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36418131/ (added 24/11/2022)
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
1. Patient is dehydrated (patient eligible for inclusion after correction of dehydration)2. Patient has a relevant Advance Directive to Refuse Treatment (ADRT)3. Clinical indication for CAH4. Clinical contraindication to CAH5. Contraindication to cannulation6. Total parenteral nutrition/enteral feeding in situ7. Patient has had delirium in last 24 h8. Patient has had audible upper airway secretions in last 24 h9. Patient likely to be transferred elsewhere for end-of-life care
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Dr
Andrew
McClave
-
a.mcclave@surrey.ac.uk
Dr
Andrew
McClave
-
chelseaii@surrey.ac.uk
Prof
Andrew
Davies
+44 (0)7786260295
andavies@tcd.ie
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
The study is sponsored by University of Surrey and funded by National Institute for Health Research.
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Or CPMS 53300
You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.
