Understanding help-seeking behaviour in relation to psychosocial support services among Japanese cancer patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 1175-1181
Author(s):  
Tomoko Matsui ◽  
Kei Hirai ◽  
Yasuyuki Gondo ◽  
Shinichi Sato
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Scale ◽  
Modifiable Factors

Abstract Background There are various psychosocial support services for cancer patients in Japan; however, their utilization rate is lower than in Western countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the actual status of the utilization of such services and the related factors of their use, using the transtheoretical model. Methods We conducted an Internet survey of cancer outpatients. They were asked for information on their demographics, physical status and the usage of and intention to use psychosocial support services, and to answer the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results Data of 712 participants were analyzed; 111 had made use of psychosocial support services (15.6%). Participants who were younger, female, had breast cancer, experience with hormone therapy and did not have a good performance status (Karnofsky Performance Scale) more often used such services when comparing users/experiencers with non-users/inexperienced. Of the inexperienced, 538 were in the Precontemplation stage (89.5%), 62 were in the Contemplation stage (10.3%) and one was in the Preparation stage (0.2%). Approximately 35% of those in the Precontemplation stage would correspond to adjustment disorders or major depression. Conclusions We showed the degree of cancer patients who have used the psychosocial support services and its contents and revealed the factors related to the utilization of such services in Japan. Our study supports previous reports that cancer patients with high levels of distress do not necessarily seek support, and thus future studies should also examine other modifiable factors considering the medical settings.

Absence of major depressive disorder in female cancer patients.

1985 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 1553-1560 ◽  
Author(s):  
S B Lansky ◽  
M A List ◽  
C A Herrmann ◽  
E G Ets-Hokin ◽  
T K DasGupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Scale ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
History Of ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
History Of Depression

This investigation evaluated the prevalence of depression in female patients who had cancer in any of five predesignated sites. Five hundred five women aged 17 to 80 (190 with breast cancer, 143 with gynecologic malignancies, 111 with melanoma, 37 with bowel cancer, and 24 with lymphoma) were randomly screened. Assessment included the Hamilton rating scale for depression, the Zung self-rating depression scale, the Karnofsky performance scale, and a 10-cm visual pain analogue line. The results revealed a mean Hamilton of 10.2 (range, 0 to 41; SD, 7.5), a mean Zung score of 35.3 (range, 11 to 68; SD, 9.6), a Karnofsky median score of 80, and a median pain score of 0. Scores on the Zung scale were highly correlated with those of the Hamilton scale (r = .75). Based on cutoff scores accepted as indicating depression (Hamilton greater than or equal to 20 and Zung greater than or equal to 50), patients were depressed. The depressed subgroup was in significantly more pain, experienced greater physical disability, and was more likely to have had prior episodes of depression as compared to the non-depressed women. The two best predictors of current depression were performance status (Karnofsky) and history of depression. No relationship was found between depression and other demographic variables or disease parameters (diagnosis, time since diagnosis, stage or phase of illness, and current treatment). Our findings indicate that the prevalence of major depression in cancer patients is lower than many previous studies have indicated and falls within the range seen in the general population.

scholarly journals Home Artificial Nutrition in Advanced Cancer

1997 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 597-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loris Pironi ◽  
Enrico Ruggeri ◽  
Stephan Tanneberger ◽  
Stefano Giordani ◽  
Franco Pannuti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enteral Nutrition ◽  
Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Artificial Nutrition ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Score ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
At Home

Attitudes to home artificial nutrition (HAN) in cancer vary greatly from country to country. A 6-year prospective survey of the practice of HAN in advanced cancer patients applied by a hospital-at-home programme in an Italian health district was performed to estimate the utilization rate, to evaluate efficacy in preventing death from cachexia, maintaining patients at home without burdens and distress and improving patients' performance status, and to obtain information about costs. Patients were eligible for HAN when all the following were present: hypophagia; life expectancy 6 weeks or more, suitable patient and family circumstances; and verbal informed consent. From July 1990 to June 1996, 587 patients were evaluated; 164 were selected for HAN (135 enteral and 29 parenteral) and were followed until 31 December 1996. The incidence of HAN per million inhabitants was 18.4 in the first year of activity and 33.2–36.9 in subsequent years, being 4–10 times greater than rates reported by the Italian HAN registers. On 31 December 1996, 158 patients had died because of the disease and 6 were on treatment. Mean survival was 17.2 weeks for those on enteral nutrition and 12.2 weeks for those on parenteral nutrition. Prediction of survival was 72% accurate. 95 patients had undergone 155 readmissions to hospital, where they spent 15–23% of their survival time. Burdens due to HAN were well accepted by 124 patients, an annoyance or scarcely tolerable in the remainder. The frequency of major complications of parenteral nutrition was 0.67 per year for catheter sepsis and 0.16 per year for deep vein thrombosis. Karnofsky performance score increased in only 13 patients and body weight increased in 43. The fixed direct costs per patient-day (in European Currency Units) were 14.2 for the nutrition team, 18.2 for enteral nutrition and 61 for parenteral nutrition. The results indicate that definite entry criteria and local surveys are required for the correct use of HAN in advanced cancer patients, that HAN can be applied without causing additional burdens and distress, and that its costs are not higher than hospital costs.

Association of KRAS gene mutations with depression in older metastatic colorectal cancer patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 2019-2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Zhou ◽  
Xiaohui Gu ◽  
Feng Wen ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Wen Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Poor Survival ◽  
Probable Depression

ABSTRACTBackground:Cancer patients with depression or anxiety have poor survival, and the interaction between mental and physical problems in older patients may exacerbate this problem. K-ras oncogene (KRAS) mutation may play a role in the development of psychosocial distress and may be associated with poor survival of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. This study investigated the association between KRAS gene mutations and psychosocial morbidity to explore the possible cancer/psychosis relationship in older mCRC patients.Methods:In this study, 62 newly diagnosed mCRC patients were recruited and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Demographic data were also collected, and clinicopathological data were retrieved from medical records. KRAS mutations were assessed via PCR analysis of tissue specimens from the patients.Results:The results showed that 28 of the 62 participants (45.2%) had positive screens for possible depression, and 45 of the 62 participants (72.6%) had positive screens for anxiety. The KRAS mutation rate was 40.3% (25/62), and 19 of the 25 patients with KRAS mutations (76.0%) had probable depression, whereas only 24.3% of the patients with wild-type KRAS were probably depressed (p < 0.05). The KRAS mutation was associated with higher HADS depression scores, independent of gender and performance status (p < 0.05), but not with higher HADS anxiety or total scores.Conclusions:KRAS mutations were associated with depression severity and higher rates of probable depression in older mCRC patients. Depression should be assessed and treated as early as possible in older mCRC patients with the KRAS mutation. Further studies are needed to verify our current findings using a larger sample size.

Survival Prediction in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients by Clinical Estimates, Laboratory Tests, and Self-Rated Anxiety and Depression

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 3313-3320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Gripp ◽  
Sibylle Moeller ◽  
Edwin Bölke ◽  
Gerd Schmitt ◽  
Christiane Matuschek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Tumor Board ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Survival Prediction

Purpose To study how survival of palliative cancer patients relates to subjective prediction of survival, objective prognostic factors (PFs), and individual psychological coping. Patients and Methods Survival was estimated according to three categories (< 1 month, 1 to 6 months, and > 6 months) by two physicians (A and B) and the institutional tumor board (C) for 216 patients recently referred for palliative radiotherapy. After 6 months, the accuracy of these estimates was assessed. The prognostic relevance of clinical symptoms, performance status, laboratory tests, and self-reported emotional distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) was investigated. Results In 61%, 55%, and 63% of the patients, prognoses were correctly estimated by A, B, and C, respectively. κ statistic showed fair agreement of the estimates, which proved to be overly optimistic. Accuracy of the three estimates did not improve with increasing professional experience. In particular, the survival of 96%, 71%, and 87% of patients who died in less than 1 month was overestimated by A, B, and C, respectively. On univariate analysis, 11 of 27 parameters significantly affected survival, namely performance status, primary cancer, fatigue, dyspnea, use of strong analgesics, brain metastases, leukocytosis, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), depression, and anxiety. On multivariate analysis, colorectal and breast cancer had a favorable prognosis, whereas brain metastases, Karnofsky performance status less than 50%, strong analgesics, dyspnea, LDH, and leukocytosis were associated with a poor prognosis. Conclusion This study revealed that physicians' survival estimates were unreliable, especially in the case of patients near death. Self-reported emotional distress and objective PFs may improve the accuracy of survival estimates.

Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Use of Support Services by Cancer Patients at Sydney Hospitals

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 785-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane Pascoe ◽  
Sarah Edelman ◽  
Antony Kidman
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Systematic Screening ◽  
Clinically Significant

Objective: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression within a cross section of cancer patients in the Sydney region, and to assess the use of and degree of satisfaction with available support services. Method: A survey was conducted at oncology outpatient departments of four Sydney hospitals. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a questionnaire seeking information on their use of patient support services, as well as demographic and clinical information. Results: A total of 504 valid questionnaires were returned. Using a cut-off score of 11 on the HADS, the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety and depression was 11.5% and 7.1% respectively; 17% of patients had received individual counselling while 6.5% had attended support groups. The majority of patients who had attended counselling or support groups reported them to have been ‘extremely’ or ‘reasonably’ helpful (86% and 83% respectively). Of the patients who were experiencing clinically significant anxiety or depression, 75% had not received any counselling or psychological treatment. The main factors which predicted clinically significant anxiety or depression were: restricted activity levels, advanced disease, a non-English-speaking background and being female. Conclusions: While the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety or depression detected by the HADS was reasonably low, a substantial number of possible cases were identified. The majority of affected patients were not accessing counselling or psychological treatment. Systematic screening of oncology patients at hospital entry might enable more immediate identification of clinically affected patients, who could then be referred for further testing or psychological treatment.

Advanced Cancer Patients’ Perceptions of Dignity

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sotiria Kostopoulou ◽  
Efi Parpa ◽  
Eleni Tsilika ◽  
Stylianos Katsaragakis ◽  
Irene Papazoglou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Role Identity ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
And Performance

Purpose: The present study assesses the relationship between patient dignity in advanced cancer and the following variables: psychological distress, preparatory grief, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: The sample consisted of 120 patients with advanced cancer. The self-administered questionnaires were as follows: the Preparatory Grief in Advanced Cancer Patients (PGAC), the Patient Dignity Inventory–Greek (PDI-Gr), the Greek Schedule for Attitudes toward Hastened Death (G-SAHD), and the Greek version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (G-HADS). Results: Moderate to strong statistically significant correlations were found between the 4 subscales of PDI-Gr (psychological distress, body image and role identity, self-esteem, and social support) with G-HADS, G-SAHD, and PGAC ( P < .005), while physical distress and dependency was moderately correlated with depression. Multifactorial analyses showed that preparatory grief, depression, and age influenced psychological distress, while preparatory grief, depression, and performance status influenced body image and role identity. Conclusions: Preparatory grief, psychological distress, and physical symptoms had significant associations with perceptions of dignity among patients with advanced cancer. Clinicians should assess and attend to dignity-distressing factors in the care of patients with advanced cancer.

Initial validation of a scale to measure purposelessness, understimulation, and boredom in cancer patients: Toward a redefinition of depression in advanced disease

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEVEN D. PASSIK ◽  
ALICE INMAN ◽  
KENNETH KIRSH ◽  
DALE THEOBALD ◽  
PAMELA DICKERSON
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Group Performance ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Good Test ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Boredom Proneness ◽  
Leisure Boredom

Objective: The problem of boredom in people with cancer has received little research attention, and yet clinical experience suggests that it has the potential to profoundly affect quality of life in those patients. We were interested in developing a Purposelessness, Understimulation, and Boredom (PUB) Scale to identify this problem and to begin to differentiate it from depression.Methods: Cancer patients and professionals were interviewed using a semi-structured format to elicit their perceptions of the incidence, causes, scope, and consequences of boredom. From their responses, 45 questions were developed, edited for clarity, and piloted. A total of 100 cancer patients were recruited to participate in the study. Preliminary validation of the PUB using a cross-sectional survey of the measure was conducted. Other instruments used for purposes of convergent and divergent validity included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale–Anemia, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Boredom Proneness Scale, Leisure Boredom Scale, Cancer Behavior Inventory, Systems of Belief Inventory, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale.Results: The average age of the sample was 62.37 years (SD = 13.43) and was comprised of 60 women (60.00%) and 40 men (40.00%). The results of a factor analysis on the 45 initial items (selected on the basis of professional and patient interviews) created a two-factor scale. The eight items from the strongest factor (items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10) seemed to best tap the construct that could be deemed as overt boredom whereas the six items of the second factor (items 36, 38, 39, 42, 44, 45) seemed to tap the construct of boredom related to meaning and spirituality. Total scale internal consistency, when all 14 items were included in the analysis, yielded a coefficient alpha of 0.84 and good test–retest reliability at 2 weeks (r = .80, p < .001). The novel 14-item PUB Scale was significantly correlated to other measures of boredom; the Boredom Proneness Scale (r = −.588, p < .001) and the Leisure Boredom Scale (r = .576, p < .001).Significance of results: The PUB Scale was found to be a statistically viable tool with the ability to detect boredom and differentiate it from depression. In many respects this work is in concert with much of the current research and clinical effort going on in psycho-oncology that defines components of distress that in sum, redefines depression in advanced cancer.

scholarly journals Do spirituality and faith make a difference? Report from the Southern European Psycho-Oncology Study Group

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luzia Travado ◽  
Luigi Grassi ◽  
Francisco Gil ◽  
Cristina Martins ◽  
Cidália Ventura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Few Data ◽  
European Cancer

AbstractObjective:In the last decade, some attention has been given to spirituality and faith and their role in cancer patients' coping. Few data are available about spirituality among cancer patients in Southern European countries, which have a big tradition of spirituality, namely, the Catholic religion. As part of a more general investigation (Southern European Psycho-Oncology Study – SEPOS), the aim of this study was to examine the effect of spirituality in molding psychosocial implications in Southern European cancer patients.Method:A convenience sample of 323 outpatients with a diagnosis of cancer between 6 to 18 months, a good performance status (Karnofsky Performance Status > 80), and no cognitive deficits or central nervous system (CNS) involvement by disease were approached in university and affiliated cancer centers in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland (Italian speaking area). Each patient was evaluated for spirituality (Visual Analog Scale 0-10), psychological morbidity (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale— HADS), coping strategies (Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer — Mini-MAC) and concerns about illness (Cancer Worries Inventory — CWI).Results. The majority of patients (79.3%) referred to being supported by their spirituality/faith throughout their illness. Significant differences were found between the spirituality and non-spirituality groups (p ≤ 0.01) in terms of education, coping styles, and psychological morbidity. Spirituality was significantly correlated with fighting spirit (r = −0.27), fatalism (r = 0.50), and avoidance (r = 0.23) coping styles and negatively correlated with education (r = −0.25), depression (r = −0.22) and HAD total (r = −0.17).Significance of results:Spirituality is frequent among Southern European cancer patients with lower education and seems to play some protective role towards psychological morbidity, specifically depression. Further studies should examine this trend in Southern European cancer patients.

scholarly journals Use of Psychosocial Support Services Among Male Veterans Affairs Colorectal Cancer Patients

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natia S. Hamilton ◽  
George L. Jackson ◽  
David H. Abbott ◽  
Leah L. Zullig ◽  
Dawn Provenzale
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Male Veterans ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Patients
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