OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the frequency of psychiatric morbidity and to assess the quality of life of women with advanced breast cancer. METHODS: The 227 women in the sample were recruited in Melbourne, Australia, and were interviewed (prior to intervention) for a randomized controlled trial of supportive-expressive group therapy. The main outcome measures were DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses plus quality of life data based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 (core) and QLQ-BR23 (breast module) instruments. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of the women (97/227) had a psychiatric disorder; 35.7% (81) of these had depression or anxiety or both. Specific diagnoses were minor depression in 58 women (25.6%), major depression in 16 (7%), anxiety disorder in 14 (6.2%), and phobic disorder in 9 (4%). Seventeen (7.5%) women had more than one disorder. In terms of quality of life, one-third felt less attractive, one-quarter were dissatisfied with their body image, and, in most, sexual interest had waned. Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes affected less than one-third, whereas symptoms of lymphedema were experienced by 26 (11.5%). SIGNIFICANCE: Women with advanced breast cancer have high rates of psychiatric and psychological disturbance. Quality of life is substantially affected. Clinicians need to be vigilant in monitoring psychological adjustment as part of a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach.
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the frequency of psychiatric morbidity and to assess the quality of life of women with advanced breast cancer. METHODS: The 227 women in the sample were recruited in Melbourne, Australia, and were interviewed (prior to intervention) for a randomized controlled trial of supportive-expressive group therapy. The main outcome measures were DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses plus quality of life data based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 (core) and QLQ-BR23 (breast module) instruments. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of the women (97/227) had a psychiatric disorder; 35.7% (81) of these had depression or anxiety or both. Specific diagnoses were minor depression in 58 women (25.6%), major depression in 16 (7%), anxiety disorder in 14 (6.2%), and phobic disorder in 9 (4%). Seventeen (7.5%) women had more than one disorder. In terms of quality of life, one-third felt less attractive, one-quarter were dissatisfied with their body image, and, in most, sexual interest had waned. Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes affected less than one-third, whereas symptoms of lymphedema were experienced by 26 (11.5%). SIGNIFICANCE: Women with advanced breast cancer have high rates of psychiatric and psychological disturbance. Quality of life is substantially affected. Clinicians need to be vigilant in monitoring psychological adjustment as part of a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach.
Authors: Jeffrey D Robinson; Donald R Hoover; Maria K Venetis; Thomas J Kearney; Richard L Street Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2012-12-10 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Kathryn I Pollak; Robert Arnold; Stewart C Alexander; Amy S Jeffreys; Maren K Olsen; Amy P Abernethy; Keri L Rodriguez; James A Tulsky Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2009-10-18 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Catherine E Mosher; Courtney Johnson; Maura Dickler; Larry Norton; Mary Jane Massie; Katherine DuHamel Journal: Breast J Date: 2013-03-26 Impact factor: 2.431
Authors: C E Mosher; S Daily; D Tometich; M S Matthias; S D Outcalt; A Hirsh; S A Johns; K Rand; B Schneider; L Mina; A M Storniolo; E Newton; K Miller Journal: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) Date: 2016-07-27 Impact factor: 2.520
Authors: Silke Steinbach; Walter Hundt; Thomas Zahnert; Sabina Berktold; Christina Böhner; Nina Gottschalk; Moritz Hamann; Monika Kriner; Petra Heinrich; Barbara Schmalfeldt; Nadia Harbeck Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2009-06-03 Impact factor: 3.603