Introduction and Scope of the Problem Questioning which patients with end-stage kidney disease should be offered dialysis dates to the early 1960s, when dialysis was first invented. At that time, ethical considerations pertained to the distribution of limited dialysis-related resources.…
Introduction and Scope of the Problem Some degree of reduced kidney function is common in both the general population and people with have other serious illnesses. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as the presence of either kidney damage or decreased…
Introduction and Scope of the Problem The term head and neck cancer (HNC) encompasses a diverse group of cancers that includes cancers of the skin, oral cavity, larynx, skull base, trachea, jaw, thyroid, and sinuses. Based on data from the…
Introduction and Scope of the Problem Since the evolution of the modern intensive care unit in the 1940s, clinicians have recognized that there is a group of patients that survives the acute phase of their critical illness yet has persistent…
Introduction and Scope of the Problem Heart failure is a chronic and progressive illness frequently associated with multiple comorbidities and is a leading cause of death in the United States. The illness is reaching epidemic numbers: an estimated 6.2 million…
Introduction and Scope of the Problem Neurodegenerative diseases affect adults of all ages and are associated with complex physical and neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive functional impairments, and high levels of personal and caregiver suffering. Although amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis…
Introduction and Scope of the Problem Every year in the United States, approximately 795,000 people experience a stroke, meaning someone has a stroke approximately every 40 seconds. Of all strokes, the majority (87%) are ischemic, with 10% due to intracerebral…
Introduction and Scope of the Problem Worldwide, chronic liver disease (CLD), including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), leads to approximately 2 million deaths annually. The major causes of CLD include viral hepatitis, alcohol-associated liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and…
Introduction and Scope of the Problem Chronic liver disease (CLD) refers to a spectrum of hepatic conditions, including those that lead to reduced liver function, such as cirrhosis, and primary malignancies affecting the hepatobiliary system, most commonly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).…
Introduction and Scope of the Problem A growing body of literature shows that individuals with dementia receive suboptimal palliative care. Symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, and agitation are common, occurring in 40% to 50% of patients with advanced dementia. These…