Distress in cancer patients: Who are the main groups at risk?

Herschbach, Peter; Britzelmeir, Ingrid; Dinkel, Andreas; Giesler, Jürgen M.; Herkommer, Kathleen; Nest, Alexandra; Pichler, Theresia; Reichelt, Ralf; Tanzer-Kuentzer, Sylvia; Weis, Joachim und Marten-Mittag, Birgitt (2020): Distress in cancer patients: Who are the main groups at risk? In: Psycho-Oncology, Bd. 29, Nr. 4: S. 703-710

Abstract

Objectives: Psychosocial distress is common in cancer patients and survivors and encompasses a broad range of concerns and psychological symptoms. The aim of the current study was to identify subgroups of respondents who experience a specific constellation of distress symptoms. Methods This study uses data from a large data base (n = 21 680) of cancer patients from diverse settings who provided data in the Questionnaire on Distress in Cancer Patients-Short Form (QSC-R10). Cluster analysis was applied to identify subgroups with a distinct constellation of distress symptoms. Results The results showed five distinct clusters: minimally distressed patients (46.6% of the sample), highly distressed patients (12.7%), mainly physically distressed patients (15.2%), mainly psychologically distressed patients (15.6%), and mainly socially distressed patients (9.9%). These groups differed with regard to age, sex, cancer site, treatment setting, and disease progression. Conclusion The results revealed large heterogeneity in the experience of distress. Distress clusters were associated with socio-demographic and clinical variables. These associations might aid a clinician to tailor interventions and to address specific types of distress.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• ISSN: 1057-9249
• Sprache: Englisch