Bakhsh Abdulaziz, Abudari Gassan, Alhaidar Saud, Shamsy Saad, Alqahtani Ahlam, Haddadi Rania, Almsaud Maiadh, Callaghan Steven, Ahmad Fawad
Oncology Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, SAU.
Oncology Nursing, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, SAU.
Cureus. 2024 Aug 5;16(8):e66219. doi: 10.7759/cureus.66219. eCollection 2024 Aug.
Patients with advanced cancer often suffer from significant psychological distress, anxiety, and depression, which can profoundly influence their quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of these psychological factors in advanced cancer patients. Additionally, it sought to identify related psychosocial, practical, emotional, and physical problems and their association with the psychological factors. Furthermore, this study provides interventions and strategies to help mitigate the psychological burden experienced by these patients.
A cross-sectional survey involving 180 patients with advanced cancer was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Participants were assessed using the Distress Thermometer (DT) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests for categorical variables, and multivariate regression to explore the factors associated with distress, anxiety, and depression.
The prevalence of distress, anxiety, and depression among patients was 40.6%, 46.1%, and 52.2%, respectively. Patients who experienced 'changes in urination' which is an item in DT had a 2.86 times higher risk of developing distress. Patients experiencing sadness (item in DT) and fatigue (item in DT) were at a 3.91 and 2.29 times higher risk of developing anxiety, respectively. Practical problems, such as childcare and treatment decisions, emotional problems, and physical problems, such as appearance, bathing/dressing, and eating difficulties, were significantly associated with distress. There was no significant association between patients' demographics and psychological factors.
The findings underscore the complex interplay of psychosocial, practical, emotional, and physical problems faced by advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care. These patients exhibit a high percentage of distress, anxiety, and depression. Addressing these multifaceted problems through targeted psychological and social interventions can significantly enhance the overall care and quality of life for this vulnerable population. This study advocates routine psychological screenings and tailored interventions to mitigate the psychological burden in this group.
晚期癌症患者常遭受严重的心理困扰、焦虑和抑郁，这会深刻影响他们的生活质量。本研究旨在评估这些心理因素在晚期癌症患者中的患病率和严重程度。此外，它试图识别相关的心理社会、实际、情感和身体问题及其与心理因素的关联。此外，本研究提供了干预措施和策略，以帮助减轻这些患者所经历的心理负担。
在沙特阿拉伯的一家三级医院对180名晚期癌症患者进行了横断面调查。使用苦恼温度计（DT）和医院焦虑抑郁量表（HADS）对参与者进行评估。数据分析包括描述性统计、分类变量的卡方检验以及多变量回归，以探索与苦恼、焦虑和抑郁相关的因素。
患者中苦恼、焦虑和抑郁的患病率分别为40.6%、46.1%和52.2%。经历“排尿变化”（DT中的一项）的患者出现苦恼的风险高2.86倍。经历悲伤（DT中的一项）和疲劳（DT中的一项）的患者出现焦虑的风险分别高3.91倍和2.29倍。实际问题，如儿童照料和治疗决策，情感问题，以及身体问题，如外貌、洗澡/穿衣和进食困难，与苦恼显著相关。患者的人口统计学特征与心理因素之间没有显著关联。
研究结果强调了接受姑息治疗的晚期癌症患者所面临的心理社会、实际、情感和身体问题之间的复杂相互作用。这些患者中苦恼、焦虑和抑郁的比例很高。通过有针对性的心理和社会干预来解决这些多方面的问题，可以显著提高对这一弱势群体的整体护理和生活质量。本研究提倡进行常规心理筛查和量身定制的干预措施，以减轻该群体的心理负担。
