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Distress experienced by lung cancer patients and their family caregivers in the first year of their cancer journey

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Title: Distress experienced by lung cancer patients and their family caregivers in the first year of their cancer journey
Authors: Michèle Aubin, Lucie Vézina, René Verreault, Sébastien Simard, Éveline Hudon, Jean-François Desbiens, Lise Fillion, Serge Dumont, André Tourigny, Serge Daneault
Source: Palliative and Supportive Care. 20:15-21
Publisher Information: Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2021.
Publication Year: 2021
Subject Terms: Lung Neoplasms, Depression, Oncologie, distress, proche aidant, Anxiety, 3. Good health, lung cancer, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Psychologie, Caregivers, Surveys and Questionnaires, détresse, Cancer supportive care, cohort study, Quality of Life, Humans, patient, cancer du poumon, Prospective Studies, étude de cohorte, Stress, Psychological, family caregiver, soins
Description: ObjectivesDiagnosis of cancer is emotionally threatening not only for patients but also for their family caregivers (FC) who witness and share much of the illness experience. This study compares distress experienced by lung cancer patients and their FC during the year following the diagnosis.MethodsA prospective cohort study of 206 patients recently diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer (participation rate 79.5%) and 131 FC (participation rate 63.6%) was conducted in an ambulatory oncology clinic in Quebec City (Canada). They completed validated questionnaires regarding their personal and psychological characteristics (Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale—HADS), in the first months after the diagnosis of lung cancer and after 6 and 12 months. Univariate, bivariate, and linear mixed models were conducted to compare patient and FC distress.ResultsAt baseline, 7.8% of patients reported distress (HADS total score >15) and their mean distress score was 7.0 ± 4.9 (range 0–42). In contrast, 33.6% of FC presented significant distress and their mean distress score was 12.0 ± 7.2 (P < 0.0001). Proportions of patients and FC with distress remained relatively stable at 6 and 12 months, and at every time point, FC reported higher levels of distress compared to their relative with cancer (P < 0.0001). Comparable trends were found when looking at the mean scores of distress, anxiety, and depression throughout the study.Significance of resultsBeing diagnosed with lung cancer and going through its different phases seems to affect more FC than patients. The psychological impact of such diagnosis appears early after the diagnosis and does not significantly change over time. These findings reinforce the importance for oncology teams, to include FC in their systematic distress screening program, in order to help them cope with their own feelings and be able to play their role in patient support and care throughout the cancer journey.
Document Type: Article
Language: English
ISSN: 1478-9523
1478-9515
DOI: 10.1017/s1478951521000377
Access URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33899723
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33899723/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33899723
https://europepmc.org/article/MED/33899723
Rights: Cambridge Core User Agreement
Accession Number: edsair.doi.dedup.....6ab15d78823bf69f09e8d0f1768d2f2e
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
Abstract:ObjectivesDiagnosis of cancer is emotionally threatening not only for patients but also for their family caregivers (FC) who witness and share much of the illness experience. This study compares distress experienced by lung cancer patients and their FC during the year following the diagnosis.MethodsA prospective cohort study of 206 patients recently diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer (participation rate 79.5%) and 131 FC (participation rate 63.6%) was conducted in an ambulatory oncology clinic in Quebec City (Canada). They completed validated questionnaires regarding their personal and psychological characteristics (Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale—HADS), in the first months after the diagnosis of lung cancer and after 6 and 12 months. Univariate, bivariate, and linear mixed models were conducted to compare patient and FC distress.ResultsAt baseline, 7.8% of patients reported distress (HADS total score >15) and their mean distress score was 7.0 ± 4.9 (range 0–42). In contrast, 33.6% of FC presented significant distress and their mean distress score was 12.0 ± 7.2 (P < 0.0001). Proportions of patients and FC with distress remained relatively stable at 6 and 12 months, and at every time point, FC reported higher levels of distress compared to their relative with cancer (P < 0.0001). Comparable trends were found when looking at the mean scores of distress, anxiety, and depression throughout the study.Significance of resultsBeing diagnosed with lung cancer and going through its different phases seems to affect more FC than patients. The psychological impact of such diagnosis appears early after the diagnosis and does not significantly change over time. These findings reinforce the importance for oncology teams, to include FC in their systematic distress screening program, in order to help them cope with their own feelings and be able to play their role in patient support and care throughout the cancer journey.
ISSN:14789523
14789515
DOI:10.1017/s1478951521000377