Predicting Survival with the Palliative Performance Scale in a Minority-Serving Hospice and Palliative Care Program

Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) scores have shown potential for prognosticating survival in Caucasian samples, but have not been studied for prognostic value in cancer patients from minority groups. Using data obtained from a retrospective chart audit of 492 cancer patients admitted over an 18-month period to a minority-serving home-based hospice and palliative care program, we examined the relationship between PPS scores and length of survival (survival days). Patients with PPS scores of 10% to 30% had fewer survival days than those with scores of 40% and those with scores of 50% to 100% (median = 6, 19, and 34 days, respectively; F = 25.02, P < 0.001). A PPS score of 40% serves as a reliable inclusion criterion for a study requiring two weeks for completion, whereas 50% to 100% is required for a three-week study. Findings from a predominantly minority sample are similar to those from predominantly Caucasian samples.