Dyspnea is one of the most common symptoms that patients encounter at the end of life. In patients with terminal cancer, 70% to 80% experience dyspnea at some time during the last 6 weeks of life, and they commonly experience a significant increase in dyspnea in the last 2 weeks.17,18 In patients with non–cancer terminal diagnoses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure, the severity of dyspnea is highest, but it remains relatively stable until death.18 Dyspnea ranks as one of the most distressing symptoms to the patient and the family, leading to restrictions in quality of life and an increase in anxiety and fear.1
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