The Relationship of Obesity to Hospice Use and Expenditures
Authors: John A. Harris, Chithra R. Perumalswami, Kenneth M. Langa, Alexi A. Wright, Jennifer J. Griggs
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2017)

Letters17 October 2017The Relationship of Obesity to Hospice Use and ExpendituresJohn A. Harris, MD, MSc, Chithra R. Perumalswami, MD, MSc, Kenneth M. Langa, MD, PhD, Alexi A. Wright, MD, MPH, and Jennifer J. Griggs, MD, MPHJohn A. Harris, MD, MScFrom University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts., Chithra R. Perumalswami, MD, MScFrom University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts., Kenneth M. Langa, MD, PhDFrom University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts., Alexi A. Wright, MD, MPHFrom University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts., and Jennifer J. Griggs, MD, MPHFrom University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L17-0313 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:We share Dr. Gupta's concerns over access to high-quality, preference-sensitive end-of-life care for patients with obesity. The medical and nursing needs of these patients, especially those with morbid obesity, may require special assistance and equipment that challenge the traditional paradigms and services of home hospice care (1, 2).Dr. Gupta raises important concerns about the availability of special equipment and facilities for these patients, and we agree that the traditional payment system for hospice care does not allow for the prolonged, intensive, home-based health care needs of terminally ill patients with obesity. Administrative data alone are not able ...References1. Gupta D. Moribund obesity as a palliative care diagnosis [Letter]. J Palliat Med. 2009;12:515-6. [PMID: 19508135] doi:10.1089/jpm.2009.0043 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Nwosu AC, Raj J, Hugel H. Palliative care and obesity: are we prepared? [Letter]. J Palliat Med. 2012;15:7-8. [PMID: 22268403] doi:10.1089/jpm.2011.0333 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M16-0749. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoThe Relationship of Obesity to Hospice Use and Expenditures John A. Harris , Elena Byhoff , Chithra R. Perumalswami , Kenneth M. Langa , Alexi A. Wright , and Jennifer J. Griggs The Relationship of Obesity to Hospice Use and Expenditures Deepak Gupta Metrics Cited byCOVID-19 and Obesity: Dangerous Liaisons 17 October 2017Volume 167, Issue 8Page: 605KeywordsDisclosureHealth careHealth care facilitiesMorbid obesityObesityPatientsResearch and reporting methods ePublished: 17 October 2017 Issue Published: 17 October 2017 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2017 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...