INTRODUCTION: Distress has been defined as a multidimensional construct that extends along a continuum, ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness and fears to problems that can become disabling, such as depression, anxiety, panic, social isolation and existential and spiritual crisis. Several studies have pointed out the need to screen for distress in the cancer. Emotional distress has been found as a core indicator of a patient's health and well-being and has installed it as the sixth vital sign. The aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of distress in cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For the present study, a total of 760 patients with cancer in a tertiary cancer centre were assessed using the Distress Inventory for Cancer Version 2 (DIC V2). A multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify the predictors of distress and six subscales. RESULTS: Female patients under the age of 44 years scheduled to undergo surgery or those who had undergone surgery predicted significantly higher levels of overall distress. Composite disease stage other than stage IV metastatic disease and being a daily wage employee predicted significantly lower levels of overall distress. DISCUSSION: Higher distress among women undergoing surgery could imply distress associated with significant cosmetic disfigurement and feeling of loss of womanhood especially in those with breast or cervix cancer. CONCLUSION: The study once again demonstrate gender and age differences in distress and also highlights the importance of knowing that cancer is confined to one organ and has not spread.
INTRODUCTION: Distress has been defined as a multidimensional construct that extends along a continuum, ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness and fears to problems that can become disabling, such as depression, anxiety, panic, social isolation and existential and spiritual crisis. Several studies have pointed out the need to screen for distress in the cancer. Emotional distress has been found as a core indicator of a patient's health and well-being and has installed it as the sixth vital sign. The aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of distress in cancerpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For the present study, a total of 760 patients with cancer in a tertiary cancer centre were assessed using the Distress Inventory for Cancer Version 2 (DIC V2). A multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify the predictors of distress and six subscales. RESULTS: Female patients under the age of 44 years scheduled to undergo surgery or those who had undergone surgery predicted significantly higher levels of overall distress. Composite disease stage other than stage IV metastatic disease and being a daily wage employee predicted significantly lower levels of overall distress. DISCUSSION: Higher distress among women undergoing surgery could imply distress associated with significant cosmetic disfigurement and feeling of loss of womanhood especially in those with breast or cervix cancer. CONCLUSION: The study once again demonstrate gender and age differences in distress and also highlights the importance of knowing that cancer is confined to one organ and has not spread.
Authors: J E Epping-Jordan; B E Compas; D M Osowiecki; G Oppedisano; C Gerhardt; K Primo; D N Krag Journal: Health Psychol Date: 1999-07 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Allen M Chen; Richard L S Jennelle; Victoria Grady; Adrienne Tovar; Kris Bowen; Patty Simonin; Janice Tracy; Dale McCrudden; Jonathan R Stella; Srinivasan Vijayakumar Journal: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys Date: 2008-05-29 Impact factor: 7.038
Authors: Gary Rodin; Jean A Mackay; Camilla Zimmermann; Carole Mayer; Doris Howell; Mark Katz; Jonathan Sussman; Melissa Brouwers Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2009-03-04 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: L E Carlson; M Angen; J Cullum; E Goodey; J Koopmans; L Lamont; J H MacRae; M Martin; G Pelletier; J Robinson; J S A Simpson; M Speca; L Tillotson; B D Bultz Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2004-06-14 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: Marshall Gold; Laura B Dunn; Bethany Phoenix; Steven M Paul; Deborah Hamolsky; Jon D Levine; Christine Miaskowski Journal: Eur J Oncol Nurs Date: 2015-07-15 Impact factor: 2.398
Authors: Erin L O'Hea; Alexandra Cutillo; Laura Dietzen; Tina Harralson; Grant Grissom; Sharina Person; Edwin D Boudreaux Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2013-02-07 Impact factor: 2.226
Authors: Erin L O'Hea; Brigitte R Monahan; Alexandra Cutillo; Sharina D Person; Grant Grissom; Edwin D Boudreaux Journal: J Health Psychol Date: 2014-09-09