Anxiety Disorders in Cancer Patients: Their Nature, Associations, and Relation to Quality of Life

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 3137-3148 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Stark ◽  
M. Kiely ◽  
A. Smith ◽  
G. Velikova ◽  
A. House ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: We aimed to estimate the prevalence and types of anxiety disorders diagnosed according to standardized criteria in cancer patients, to compare screening tools in detecting them, and to examine their demographic, oncologic, and psychosocial associations. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study of 178 subjects with lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, or plasma cell dyscrasia, we related responses to questionnaires (administered by computer touch-screen) measuring psychological symptoms, quality of life (QOL), and social support to standardized psychiatric interviews and cancer management. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of subjects reported sufficient anxiety for anxiety disorder to be considered. At subsequent diagnostic interview, 18% fulfilled International Classification of Disorders, 10th Revision criteria for anxiety disorder, including 6% of patients who reported low levels of anxiety by questionnaire. When subjects reported anxiety by questionnaire, if disruptive somatic anxiety was present, this increased the probability of diagnosable anxiety disorder from .31 to .7. The most accurate screening questionnaires were the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Female sex and negative aspects of social support were associated with anxiety disorder in multivariate analyses. Anxiety disorder was independently associated with a deficit in QOL, particularly insomnia. CONCLUSION: Anxiety symptoms are common in cancer patients. Screening by questionnaire seems to assess anxiety symptoms adequately but discriminates abnormal anxiety inadequately. To improve this, we may need to use criteria such as disruption from anxiety, as illustrated by the impact of anxiety disorders on QOL. There seem to be few oncologic variables that could target screening for anxiety disorders.

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 104s-104s
Author(s):  
V.S. Mishra ◽  
S. Chandrakala ◽  
D. Saranath

Background: Studies have demonstrated poor quality of life (QOL) among cancer caregivers, but few studies have evaluated QOL and related psychosocial functioning among caregivers for people with hematologic cancer patients. The disease and its associated treatment can have overwhelming consequences for patients and their informal caregivers mostly close family members. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of cancer diagnosis and its treatment in caregivers´ quality of life (QoL) and to observe the association with perceived social support. To compare the chronic myeloid leukemia patients to other leukemia patients caregiver to find differences and understand which aspects of QoL are more impacted. Methods: The current study is on-going study; sample is composed of caregivers of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia patients and acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other patient's caregiver from the Department of Hematology, KEM Hospital, Mumbai India. We are using Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) for measuring quality of life among caregivers of cancer patients and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) for social support. Results: With the small study sample of caregivers of patients mean age 34.78 ± 6.87 with the age range of 27-45 years, 25% of whom were men. Mean QOL score is 78.34 ± 15.53. In regression analysis caregivers education has shown significant t = 5.611, < 0.05. While marital status shown significant value with social support 3.931, 3.872, < 0.01. While CML caregivers had lower scores for the quality of life and less perceived social support. Conclusion: Caregivers of patients with cancer showed increased burden scores and financial issues and less perceived social support. This could be explained by their unique care situation. These caregivers need more attention and additional counseling session for coping with the situation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 456-456
Author(s):  
Kathryn Gessner ◽  
Sean McCabe ◽  
Pauline Filippou ◽  
Hannah McCloskey ◽  
Judy Hamad ◽  
...  

456 Background: Bladder cancer patients’ care is often managed by caregivers, yet caregiving can create a physiologic and emotional burden that compromises the caregivers’ own quality of life (QOL). Our objective was to determine the impact of disease stage on caregiver QOL among a large national cohort of bladder cancer patients. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey of bladder cancer caregivers using the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Patient Survey Network and Inspire platforms to determine caregiver QOL using the CareGiver QOL questionnaire (CarGOQoL). Caregivers were also queried regarding demographic, socioeconomic and clinical characteristics of their loved one. We present descriptive statistics and a multiple linear regression model to identify factors independently associated with QOL domain score. Results: 132 respondents self-identified as caregivers of patients with bladder cancer. Among respondents, 85% were a spouse, 86% were female, and 97% were white. The mean age was 63 years (range 34 to 72 years) and 73% of respondents completed college. The highest cancer stage for patients was non-invasive in 42%, muscle-invasive in 33%, and metastatic in 24%. On bivariable analysis, stage was associated with leisure and social support but was not associated with global QOL, psychologic or physical well-being, burden, relationship with healthcare, administration and finances, coping, self-esteem or private life. However, on multivariable analysis controlling for age, race, years since diagnosis, and comorbidity, stage was significantly associated with Caregiver QOL (p=0.04). Conclusions: Disease stage significantly impacts QOL among bladder cancer caregivers. As the caregiver is increasingly considered as a stakeholder in survivorship efforts, future interventions should consider targeting social support among caregivers of patients with advanced bladder cancer.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Magalhães Vitorino ◽  
Gerson Hiroshi Yoshinari Júnior ◽  
Gabriela Gonzaga ◽  
Isabela Faria Dias ◽  
João Pedro Lambert Pereira ◽  
...  

Background Although mental distress and quality of life (QoL) impairments because of the pandemic have increased worldwide, the way that each community has been affected has varied. Aims This study evaluated the impact of social distancing imposed by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on Brazilians’ mental health and QoL. Method In this cross-sectional community-based online survey, data from 1156 community-dwelling adults were gathered between 11 May and 3 June 2020. We examined independent correlates of depression, anxiety and QoL, including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, optimism/pessimism and spiritual/religious coping. Dependent variables were assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms, the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale for anxiety symptoms, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF for QoL. Correlates of depressive and anxiety disorder were estimated using logistic regression. Results There were high levels of depressive symptoms (41.9%) and anxiety symptoms (29.0%) in participants. Negative spiritual/religious coping was positively correlated with depressive disorder (odds ratio (OR) = 2.14 95% CI 1.63–2.80; P < 0.001) and with anxiety disorder (OR = 2.46 95% CI 1.90–3.18; P < 0.001), and associated with worse social and environmental QoL (P < 0.001). Healthcare professionals were less likely to have depressive symptoms (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.93; P < 0.001). Participants with friend/family with COVID-19 scored lower on psychological and environmental QoL (P < 0.05). Participants with a longer duration of social isolation were less likely to experience anxiety disorder (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–0.99; P = 0.004). Conclusions We found high levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms and low levels of QoL in Brazil, which has become a pandemic epicentre. Several characteristics were associated with negative mental health symptoms in this study. This information may contribute to local health policies in dealing with the mental health consequences of COVID-19.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
Ľudmila Majerníková ◽  
Andrea Obročníková

AbstractAim. The goal of the study was focused on examining the impact of meaningfulness of life on the quality of life in cancer patients.Methods. The selection of respondents was deliberate. The study involved together one hundred cancer patients undergoing anticancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) in cancer care centers in the Prešov and Košice regions. We used two standardized World Health Organisation questionnaires WHOQOL-BREF 26 and The Life Meaningfulness Scale (LMS).Results. The results show statistical significance (p <.001) between LMS dimensions and total score of LMS, a positive correlation (p <.001) was found between the dimensions of the LMS and factors - religiosity, social support, older age, female gender. A higher sense of life our sample was observable in the population of women with cancer, in patients with a higher level of social support and in religious patients. A positive correlation was recorded in terms of the meaning of life impact on the quality of life in relation to overall score LMS and in relation to Domain 2 Survival as well as Domain 3 Social relationships (p <.05) and Q2 Satisfaction with health (p <.001).Conclusions. The study indicates the presence of relationship between the quality of life and the meaning of life in cancer patients. The results could form the basis for implementing strategies in oncological nursing practice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542199490
Author(s):  
Iván Ruiz-Rodríguez ◽  
Isabel Hombrados-Mendieta ◽  
Anabel Melguizo-Garín ◽  
Mª José Martos-Méndez

Introduction: The aim of the present study is to carry out a multidimensional analysis of the relationship of social support with quality of life and the stress perceived by cancer patients. Methods: The participants were 200 patients with cancer. Data was gathered on sociodemographic characteristics, health, quality of life, social support and perceived stress. Results: Frequency of and satisfaction with different sources and types of support are related positively with improvement of quality of life and negatively with perceived stress. The emotional support from the partner and the emotional and informational support from the family are significant predictors of quality of life. Emotional support from the family reduces patients’ perceived stress. Satisfaction with emotional support from the partner and with the informational support from friends and family increases quality of life. Satisfaction with emotional support from the family and with informational support from friends decreases patients’ perceived stress. Instrumental support and support provided by health professionals are not good predictors of quality of life and perceived stress. Satisfaction with the support received is more significantly related with quality of life and stress than the frequency with which the sources provide support. Conclusions: These results have important practical implications to improve cancer patients’ quality of life and reduce their perceived stress through social support. Designing intervention strategies to improve satisfaction with the support provided to patients by their closest networks results in a global benefit for the patient’s quality of life.


Author(s):  
Hester.R. Trompetter ◽  
Cynthia S. Bonhof ◽  
Lonneke V. van de Poll-Franse ◽  
Gerard Vreugdenhil ◽  
Floortje Mols

Abstract Purpose Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy ((CI)PN) becomes chronic in 30% of cancer patients. Knowledge of predictors of chronic (CI)PN and related impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is lacking. We examined the role of optimism in chronic (CI)PN severity and associated HRQoL in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients up to two years after diagnosis. Methods CRC patients from a prospective cohort study participated, with sensory peripheral neuropathy (SPN) 1 year after diagnosis (n = 142). Multivariable regression analyses examined the cross-sectional association between optimism (measured by the LOT-R) and SPN severity/HRQoL (measured by the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 and QLQ-C30), as well as the prospective association in a subsample that completed measures 2 years after diagnosis and still experienced SPN (n = 86). Results At 1-year follow-up, higher optimism was associated with better global HRQoL, and better physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning (all p < .01). Optimism at year one was also prospectively associated with better global HRQoL (p < .05), and emotional and cognitive functioning at 2-year follow-up (both p < .01). Optimism was not related to self-reported SPN severity. Significant associations were retained when controlling for demographic/clinical variables, and became non-significant after controlling for depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions Optimism and depressive and anxiety symptoms are associated with HRQoL in CRC patients with chronic (CI)PN. Future research may illuminate the mechanisms that these factors share, like the use of (non)adaptive coping styles such as avoidance and acceptance that may inform the design of targeted interventions to help patients to adapt to chronic (CI)PN.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522199844
Author(s):  
Abdullah M Alhammad ◽  
Nora Alkhudair ◽  
Rawan Alzaidi ◽  
Latifa S Almosabhi ◽  
Mohammad H Aljawadi

Introduction Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is a serious complication of cancer treatment that compromises patients’ quality of life and treatment adherence, which necessitates regular assessment. Therefore, there is a need to assess patient-reported nausea and vomiting using a validated scale among Arabic speaking cancer patient population. The objective of this study was to translate and validate the Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLIE) instrument in Arabic, a patient-reported outcome measure designed to assess the influence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting on patients’ quality of life. Methods Linguistic validation of an Arabic-language version was performed. The instrument was administered to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in a tertiary hospital's cancer center in Saudi Arabia. Results One-hundred cancer patients who received chemotherapy were enrolled. The participants’ mean age was 53.3 ± 14.9 years, and 50% were female. Half of the participants had a history of nausea and vomiting with previous chemotherapy. The Cronbach coefficient alpha for the FLIE was 0.9606 and 0.9736 for nausea and vomiting domains, respectively, which indicated an excellent reliability for the Arabic FLIE. The mean FLIE score was 110.9 ± 23.5, indicating no or minimal impact on daily life (NIDL). Conclusions The Arabic FLIE is a valid and reliable tool among the Arabic-speaking cancer population. Thus, the Arabic version of the FLIE will be a useful tool to assess the quality of life among Arabic speaking patients receiving chemotherapy. Additionally, the translated instrument will be a useful tool for future research studies to explore new antiemetic treatments among cancer patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Um-e-Kalsoom ◽  
Sabiha Khan ◽  
Israr Ahmad

Abstract Background Hemodialysis may have serious psychological impact upon patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases. The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of hemodialysis on the wellbeing of individuals with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Result A sample consists of (N = 100) CKD patients referred from neurology ward of Leady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Data was collected from both male (50%) and female (50%) in 2017. Participants were divided into two groups on the basis of pre-set criteria. In group I, individuals with 4–5 stage of CKD referred first time for dialysis treatment were recruited. Group II comprised of CKD patients with 1–3 stage. Demographic data sheet, Pakistan Anxiety and Depression, WHO Quality of Life scale, and Perceived Social support scale (PSS) were used to test the hypotheses. Paired sample t test was use to see the difference between pre- and post-analysis of depression, anxiety, QOL, and PSS in group I (experimental group). Results suggests significant difference on depression (p > .001), anxiety (p > .001), and QOL (p > .001), while no significant difference was reported on perceived social support (p <.673). Findings also indicate no significant difference between group I and group II on QOL depression, anxiety, and PSS. Conclusion The findings concluded that patients under hemodialysis treatment suffered from depression, anxiety, and poor quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Apostolidis

Abstract The speaker will present the perspective of the cancer patients, and the challenges they encounter across the spectrum of care and what measures they consider relevant in terms of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and, indeed, to raise awareness of the impact of AMR on rendering cancer treatments ineffective. She will elaborate on survivorship, and on the impact of AMR on the quality of life of patients, their carers, and families. Emphasis will be given on the implications of modern therapies, such as immunotherapy, representing a unique challenge in terms of better understanding the effect on overall health of patients, with the effect they have the immune system, further weakening the patient and leaving him/her exposed to infections potentially of higher risk than cancer itself.


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