palliative prognostic index

Introduction

Model to predict survival in terminally ill cancer patients

Variables include:

• performance status*
• oral intake
• edema
• dyspnea at rest
• delirium

* performance status is the best predictor of prognosis in patients with advanced cancer

More general terms

• index

Additional terms

• delirium (acute confusional state)
• dyspnea (shortness of breath {SOB})
• edema (swelling, tumefaction, tumescence)