Cancer-related communications and symptom burden in couples coping with advanced lung cancer.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 231-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Milbury ◽  
Gabriel Lopez ◽  
Anne S. Tsao ◽  
Eduardo Bruera

231 Background: Although effective communications regarding symptoms may decrease distress and patients and their spouses, families tend to experience barriers to open communication. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study is to examine the role of cancer-related communications in symptom burden in families coping with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: Couples were approached while waiting for their routine visit at the thoracic center. 25 patients (58% female; 78% white; mean age: 62.7 years; 72% stage III; 2.3 months post diagnosis) and their spouses completed measures of cancer symptoms (ESAS), psychological distress (BSI), and illness communication (CCAT_PF). Results: Dyadic analyses using multi-level modeling revealed that patients generally rated their own symptom burden significantly lower compared to spouses rating patient symptoms (P < .0001). However, this discrepancy in perceptions of symptoms was a function of cancer communication (P < .001) so that the more couples communicate about cancer-related issues (e.g., treatment decision making) the more they agreed regarding symptom burden. Importantly, a discrepancy in symptoms ratings was significantly related to spouses’ depressive symptoms (P < . 01) so that the greater the discrepancy, the greater spouses depression. Lastly, more effective cancer communication was related to lower cancer symptoms in patients (P < .05) as well as depression (P < .01) and anxiety (P < .05) in both patients and spouses. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of effective cancer communication in reducing symptom burden in couples coping with advanced lung cancer. Behavioral interventions that target communication skills taining may improve symptom management in patients and reduce psychological distress in spouses.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽  
Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽  
Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Vo Van ◽  
Toi Phung Lam ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged &lt;18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidia Del Piccolo ◽  
Valeria Donisi ◽  
Ricciarda Raffaelli ◽  
Simone Garzon ◽  
Cinzia Perlini ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess the psychological distress of healthcare providers (HCPs) working in the field of obstetrics during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to identify factors associated with psychological distress at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational level.Design: Cross-sectional survey study.Setting: Four University hospitals in Italy.Participants: HCPs working in obstetrics, including gynecologists, residents in gynecology and obstetrics, and midwives.Methods: The 104-item survey Impatto PSIcologico COVID-19 in Ostetricia (IPSICO) was created by a multidisciplinary expert panel and administered to HCPs in obstetrics in May 2020 via a web-based platform.Main Outcome Measures: Psychological distress assessed by the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) included in the IPSICO survey.Results: The response rate to the IPSICO survey was 88.2% (503/570), and that for GHQ-12 was 84.4% (481/570). Just over half (51.1%; 246/481) of the GHQ-12 respondents reported a clinically significant level of psychological distress (GHQ-12 ≥3). Psychological distress was associated with either individual (i.e., female gender, stressful experience related to COVID-19, exhaustion, and the use of dysfunctional coping strategies), interpersonal (i.e., lower family support, limitations in interactions with colleagues), and organizational (i.e., reduced perception of protection by personal protective equipment, perceived delays on updates and gaps in information on the pandemic) factors in dealing with the pandemic.Conclusions: Results confirm the need for monitoring and assessing the psychological distress for HCPs in obstetrics. Interventions at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational level may relieve the psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and foster resilience skills in facing emotional distress.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9003-9003
Author(s):  
C. S. Cleeland ◽  
T. R. Mendoza ◽  
G. R. Palos ◽  
C. Lu ◽  
L. A. Nazario ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
pp. 104365961989682
Author(s):  
Chris Segrin ◽  
Terry Badger ◽  
Alla Sikorskii

Introduction: Latinas with breast cancer draw on a diverse range of family members for informal care. Latin cultures typically prescribe high levels of support and care for an ill family member that leave caregivers vulnerable to compromised well-being. Method: In this cross-sectional survey study, 258 family caregivers of Latinas with breast cancer completed reports of psychological distress, availability of social support, and acculturation. Results: Mothers who provide care to a daughter with breast cancer experience higher levels of psychological distress and report lower availability of informational support than most other types of family caregivers. Mothers’ lower levels of acculturation may at least partially explain these reductions in well-being. Discussion: This study highlights the diverse range of family and fictive kin who participate in family caregiving for Latina breast cancer survivors. Spousal caregivers may not represent a unique population, whereas mothers as caregivers are indeed distinct for their higher distress levels.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 12122-12122
Author(s):  
Lauren Heuer ◽  
Kathryn Elizabeth Post ◽  
Emily R. Gallagher ◽  
Chardria Trotter ◽  
Madeleine Elyze ◽  
...  

12122 Background: It is unclear whether patients with cancer experience greater distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, we assessed the relationship of the COVID-19 pandemic with quality of life (QOL) and depression symptoms in patients newly diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with advanced lung cancer enrolled in two multisite randomized supportive care trials. We enrolled adult patients within 12 weeks of diagnosis of advanced lung cancer and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status from 0 to 3 across 23 institutions in the United States. At the time of enrollment, participants completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L), which includes four wellbeing subscales (i.e., physical, social, emotional, and functional) as well as lung cancer symptoms, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess their QOL and depression symptoms, respectively. We compared QOL and depression symptoms between participants enrolled prior to COVID-19 (i.e., those enrolled in the following time periods: March 2018 to January 2019 and March 2019 to January 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 to January 2021). We used linear regression models adjusting for age, race, gender, and time since diagnosis of advanced cancer to examine the relationship between the period of enrollment and patients’ QOL and depression symptoms. Results: A total of 860 patients were included in this analysis (665 participants enrolled prior to COVID-19 and 195 participants during COVID-19). The two cohorts did not differ significantly with respect to baseline demographic factors [Mean age 65.4 (SD = 11.4), 51.9% female]. In multivariate regression models, enrollment during COVID-19 was not associated with physical (B = -0.16, SE = 0.52, P = 0.763), social (B = -0.48, SE = 0.39, P = 0.217), emotional (B = -0.16, SE = 0.41, P = 0.693), functional (B = -0.83, SE = 0.55, P = 0.128) wellbeing, or lung cancer symptoms (B = -0.11, SE = 0.44, P = 0.806). Enrollment during COVID-19 was not associated with overall QOL (FACT-L: B = -1.32, SE = 1.69, P = 0.436) or depression symptoms (PHQ-9: B = -0.02, SE = 0.45, P = 0.973). Conclusions: Despite the prevailing belief that COVID-19 has negatively impacted QOL and distress in patients with cancer, we found no differences in QOL or depression symptoms in patients newly diagnosed with advanced lung cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to those diagnosed prior to the pandemic. These findings suggest that factors other than the COVID-19 pandemic, such as patients’ experience with their cancer, contribute to their QOL and depression symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9078-9078
Author(s):  
Mahmut Gumus ◽  
Chieh-I Chen ◽  
Cristina Ivanescu ◽  
Saadettin Kilickap ◽  
Igor Bondarenko ◽  
...  

9078 Background: Cemiplimab, a PD-1 inhibitor, improved survival and progression-free survival vs platinum doublet chemotherapy (chemo) in patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC and PD-ligand(L)1 expression ≥50% in the EMPOWER-Lung 1 Phase 3 study (NCT03088540). Since pts with advanced NSCLC have a high symptom burden that adversely impacts QoL and functioning, these outcomes were evaluated as secondary endpoints in the clinical trial. Methods: Pts with advanced NSCLC with PD-L1 expression ≥50% and ECOG performance status ≤1 were randomized to IV cemiplimab 350 mg Q3W (n=356) or platinum doublet chemo (n=354). At baseline (BL) and day 1 of each treatment cycle (C) to C15, pts were administered the EORTC core questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and its lung cancer specific module (QLQ-LC13) to assess symptoms, functioning, and Global Health Status (GHS)/QoL. In the intent-to-treat population, mixed-effects repeated measures models were used to estimate least squares (LS) mean change from BL on all scales. Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated time to definitive deterioration, defined as worsening ≥10 points from BL observed at all subsequent time points or patient withdrawal after worsening; hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CIs estimated the likelihood of definitive deterioration. Results: BL scores showed moderate to high levels of functioning and low symptom burden. Cemiplimab-treated pts had lower likelihood of definitive deterioration vs chemo on key symptoms of dyspnea, cough, pain in chest, pain in other body parts, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, appetite loss, constipation, and diarrhea vs chemo (all P<.05). Treatment-related symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and alopecia had a lower likelihood of definitive deterioration with cemiplimab vs chemo (both P<.05). Cemiplimab resulted in significantly greater improvements vs chemo on all functioning scales and reduced the likelihood of definitive deterioration as indicated by HR <1 (Table). GHS/QoL improvements with cemiplimab at C2 were maintained to C15; LS mean change (SE) from BL across all timepoints was 7.1 (1.0) for cemiplimab vs 1.7 (1.2) for chemo ( P<.0001). Conclusions: In pts with advanced NSCLC and PD-L1 expression ≥50%, cemiplimab significantly improved GHS/QoL, functioning, and most symptoms vs chemo. Over 1 year of treatment, cemiplimab delayed worsening of key lung cancer symptoms and functioning. Clinical trial information: NCT03088540. [Table: see text]


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-280.e6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike R. Sung ◽  
Milan V. Patel ◽  
Sarvar Djalalov ◽  
Lisa W. Le ◽  
Frances A. Shepherd ◽  
...  

10.2196/24776 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. e24776
Author(s):  
Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽  
Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽  
Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Vo Van ◽  
Toi Phung Lam ◽  
...  

Background The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. Objective This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. Methods We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. Results A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged <18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). Conclusions The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts.


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