a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Radboud University Medical Center , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
b Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University Nijmegen , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2018 Jun;39(2):96-104. doi: 10.1080/0167482X.2017.1296429. Epub 2017 Mar 10.
Demoralization is a relatively neglected issue in which low morale and poor coping result from a stressor such as familial cancer risk. Female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are highly susceptible for developing breast and ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate demoralization in oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and its relation to quality of life.
This cross-sectional study examined 288 oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers using the following standardized self-report measures: Demoralization Scale, EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Cancer Worry Scale.
The mean score on the Demoralization Scale was 17.8 (SD 14.0). A clinically significant level of demoralization, defined as a score ≥30, was found in 45 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (16%). Being highly demoralized was associated with a significantly lower quality of life, and higher levels of physical problems, anxiety and cancer worries. No demographic or clinical factors could predict higher levels of demoralization.
Our findings established that a clear proportion of oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers experience demoralization impacting on their well-being. Further research is needed to explore the natural trajectory of demoralization and the resultant need for support in these women.
意志消沉是一个相对被忽视的问题，其低士气和应对能力差是由压力源引起的，如家族性癌症风险。女性 BRCA1/2 突变携带者极易患上乳腺癌和卵巢癌。本研究旨在评估行卵巢切除术的 BRCA1/2 突变携带者的意志消沉情况及其与生活质量的关系。
本横断面研究使用以下标准化自我报告措施评估了 288 名行卵巢切除术的 BRCA1/2 突变携带者：意志消沉量表、EORTC 生活质量问卷-C30、状态-特质焦虑量表和癌症担忧量表。
意志消沉量表的平均得分为 17.8（SD 14.0）。45 名 BRCA1/2 突变携带者（16%）的意志消沉程度达到临床显著水平，定义为得分≥30。高度意志消沉与生活质量显著降低、身体问题、焦虑和癌症担忧水平升高有关。没有人口统计学或临床因素可以预测更高水平的意志消沉。
我们的研究结果表明，相当一部分行卵巢切除术的 BRCA1/2 突变携带者经历了意志消沉，影响了她们的幸福感。需要进一步研究来探索意志消沉的自然轨迹以及这些女性对支持的需求。
