Distress among Prostate Cancer Patients and Spouses is Associated with Hormone Treatment and Participation in Decision-Making

Background The aim of this study was to chart cancer experience and distress shared between prostate cancer (PC) patients and their spouses, focusing on effects of hormone treatment and treatment decision-making. Patients and methods This observational prospective study involved 203 PC patients and 194 spouses surveyed within 5 years from being diagnosed with PC. Fifty percent of the patients had received hormone treatment. Results Younger (<65 years) patients and spouses were significantly more distressed than the older. Patients receiving hormone treatment tended to be more distressed than those not treated (sum of scores, 5.6 vs 4.3, p = 0.017), and the same trend was seen in their spouses (p = 0.08). The spouse experienced difficulties in concentration and decision-making (Chi-squared test, p = 0.012) and somatic symptoms (p = 0.049) more often if the patient suffered the same problems. Use of alcohol/drugs was significantly more common among younger (<65 years) spouses (27.8% vs 7.2%, p < 0.001) and in those with higher level of education (26.1% vs 12.2%, p = 0.015). Conclusions Significant associations were observed in distress variables between prostate cancer patients and spouses, especially among younger patients and when hormone treatment was used. Distress among patients was associated with participation in treatment-decision making, and among spouses with age and educational level.