SUMMARY A simple technique for measuring gastrointestinal transit times using radioopaque pellets of barium-impregnated polythene has been developed and validated. A normal range has been established by studying 25 normal subjects; all passed the first marker within three days and most passed 80 % of the markers within five days.No simple quantitative method for measuring gastrointestinal transit times ig currently available. The quantitative methods used at present tend to be complex or time-consuming; the simple methods give information only about the rate of passage of the first or the final parts, but not the main bulk, of the marker. The quantitative method described here, in which radioopaque pellets are used as markers, has the advantage that the passage of the markers may be simply observed either by taking serial radiographs of the abdomen or of the stools.

This prospective study was designed to assess whether patients with terminal cancer, and their relatives, find that competent home care sufficiently maintains comfort and helps adjustment. A random sample from a home care service with readily available beds comprised 77 adults and their relatives who were able and willing to be interviewed separately each week. They were asked the nature and degree of current problems and regular assessments were made of some qualities of life including mood, attitude to the condition, perceived help and preferred place of care. These patients had 90% of their care at home; 29% died at home but 30% were finally admitted for one to three days and 41% for longer. In the final eight weeks, tolerable physical symptoms were volunteered by a mean of 63% each week and psychological symptoms by 17%. Some distress was felt by 11% of patients; this was usually from pain, depression, dyspnoea, anxiety or weakness, and generally did not persist. Relatives suffered grief, strain or their own ill health. Patients' and relatives' reports generally matched except for the strain on carers. Regular assessments found that 64% of patients thought death certain or probable, and 27% thought it possible. Various proportions coped by optimism, fighting their disease, partial suppression or denial, but 50% reached positive acceptance. Relatives were more aware and accepting. About three-quarters of patients and half the relatives were composed, often enjoying life. Serious depression affected 5% of patients and anxiety 4%, but relatives' manifest depression in the later stages increased to 17% and anxiety to 14%. Many consciously disguised their feelings. Treatment was usually praised but realistic preference for home care fell steadily from 100% to 54% of patients and 45% of relatives. At follow-up most relatives approved of where patients had received care and died.

No abstract

The factors related to admission of patients with terminal cancer who had been referred to a reputable home care service were examined in 415 patients referred in a two-year period and in a prospective study of a randomized one in three sample of the 232 adults still alive one week after referral, who were able to converse and be at home with caring relatives. The reasons given by staff for intermediate admissions were mostly to improve symptom control or provide respite; for final admissions the reasons were symptom control, patients' deteriorated state and relatives needing relief. Independent weekly assessments usually concurred in showing increasing problems or distress preceding final admission, particularly patients' weakness, pain, depression and anxiety, and relatives' fatigue, anxiety or depression. Examination of selected demographic and illness factors indicated that few patients living alone or with unfit relatives stayed at home; breast cancer led to more deaths as an inpatient, whereas stomach cancer favoured deaths at home. The proportion of patients admitted steadily increased as care lengthened. Assessments of psychological factors showed that initial attitudes of denial, conscious fighting of disease, and optimism were linked with increased late admissions; earlier awareness of dying in patients and stoicism in relatives favoured home deaths. A growing preference for inpatient care usually preceded or accompanied admission. Recognition of both immediate and underlying causes of admission can indicate where further treatment or assistance is needed and also improve understanding so that patients and relatives may be suitably supported or helped to adjust.

Awareness and acceptance of dying were assessed weekly by semistructured interviews in a randomized sample of 76 hospice cancer patients and caring relatives. During the final eight weeks of the study, patients' awareness showed only slight increase (about 42% fully certain) while relatives' certainty clearly progressed (from 53% to 81% certain). Depression was linked with greater awareness in relatives but not patients. Patients were more anxious if death seemed probable rather than certain or no more than possible. Acceptance usually increased, with 51% of patients and 69% of relatives becoming nearly/fully accepting. Many individuals diverged from the average progress of awareness and acceptance; 18% of patients and 24% of relatives showed fluctuating or falling acceptance. Patients' and relatives' levels of awareness were positively correlated (r = 0.46), as was acceptance (r = 0.47). Relatives accepted more if patients were over 70 years, weak, unable to concentrate or had a quality of life index (QLI) below five, but patients were more accepting if female and if the QLI was above five. Pain did not increase acceptance. Acceptance was described in terms of death's inevitability, faith and spiritual values, life's diminishing rewards, completing life, final benefits, humour, sharing, etc. Individuals often used more than one concept. Generalizing exact figures from this sample needs caution, but some patterns of progress, possible influential factors and ways of acceptance may apply widely.