A prospective multicentre study in Sweden and Norway of mental distress and psychiatric morbidity in head and neck cancer patients.

A Swedish/Norwegian head and neck cancer study was designed to assess prospectively the levels of mental distress and psychiatric morbidity in a heterogeneous sample of newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients. A total of 357 patients were included. The mean age was 63 years, and 72% were males. The patients were asked to answer the HAD scale (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale) six times during 1 year. The number of possible or probable cases of anxiety or depression disorder was calculated according to standardized cut-offs. Approximately one-third of the patients scored as a possible or probable case of a major mood disorder at each measurement point during the study year. There were new cases of anxiety or depression at each time point. The anxiety level was highest at diagnosis, while depression was most common during treatment. Females were more anxious than males at diagnosis, and patients under 65 years of age scored higher than those over 65. Patients with lower performance status and more advanced disease reported higher levels of mental distress and more often scored as a probable or possible cases of psychiatric disorder. Our psychometric analyses supported the two-dimensional structure and stability of the HAD scale. The HAD scale seems to be the method of choice for getting valid information about the probability of mood disorder in head and neck cancer populations. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity found in this study emphasizes the importance of improved diagnosis and treatment.     

Psychological distress and unmet supportive care needs in cancer patients and carers who contact cancer helplines

Cancer information services are a highly accessible source of support for people affected by cancer. To date the nature and extent of distress experienced by such callers and their unmet support needs have not been well described. A cross-sectional survey of 354 cancer patients and 336 carers who reported elevated distress on contact with a cancer information service assessed socio-demographic variables; anxiety, depression and somatization; unmet supportive care needs; cancer-specific distress; presenting problems; post-traumatic growth. Adjustment to cancer was most commonly reported; followed by anxiety. In all, 53.4% of patients and 45.2% of carers reached caseness in anxiety, depression or somatization. Carers had higher distress ratings and intrusive thinking compared to patients; whereas patients had higher somatization. For patients, most unmet supportive care needs were psychological; for carers unmet needs were related to health care services and information related to the person diagnosed with cancer. Being single, unemployed, in treatment, having higher initial distress scores, higher intrusion and avoidance predicted poorer outcomes. Information service frameworks should include distress screening and clear triage and referral processes for psychological care.     

Psychosocial intervention as a component of routine breast cancer care—who participates and does it help?

Women who participated in the hospital psychosocial support groups following breast cancer surgery were compared with non-participants. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the EORTC quality of life questionnaire were used to measure emotional distress and quality of life at the time of diagnosis and after 12 months. The General Life Orientation Test-Revised was used to measure dispositional optimism. Of 165 women, 87% reported that they had been invited to participate, and 66% participated. The salient predictor for participating in support group was optimism (OR 0.89 CI: 95% 0.83-0.98, p=0.01). No significant difference was found between the prevalence of anxiety and depression caseness at the time of diagnosis, but after 12 months, the prevalence of anxiety caseness was significantly lower among the participants than that among the non-participants (19% vs 34%, p=0.04). In conclusion, psychosocial intervention as a component of routine breast cancer care appears to have a long-term clinical beneficial effect on anxiety. For depression and quality of life, the study is inconclusive. Self-selection may prevent patients at risk of adverse outcome to participate in support groups.     

A longitudinal investigation of psychological morbidity in patients with ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer patients may experience psychological disorders due to the aggressive nature of the illness and treatment. We investigated the presence of psychological disorders longitudinally in women with a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer and the factors that predicted development and maintenance of these disorders. Patients were assessed in a prospective longitudinal study at the beginning of chemotherapy treatment, mid-treatment, end of treatment and 3 months follow-up for depression, anxiety, perceived social support, neuroticism and cognitive strategies to control unwanted thoughts. A total of 121 patients were recruited and 85 patients were assessed at all four time points. Three different longitudinal profiles of anxiety and depression caseness were found: non-cases (never cases), occasional cases (cases on at least one but not all four occasions) and stable cases (cases on all four occasions). Most of the women were occasional cases of anxiety (52%, 44), whereas for depression, the majority of women were non-cases (55%, 47). A subset of patients were stable cases of anxiety (22%, 19). Neuroticism and marital status were significant independent predictors of anxiety caseness profile. Neuroticism and use of anti-depressants were independent predictors of depression caseness profile. Social support was not related to psychological morbidity.     

Rasch analysis of the dimensional structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) has been used extensively in cancer patients to identify psychological distress. Reports of the factor structure and screening performance of the instrument vary. Rasch models allow an assessment of the structure of a questionnaire by identifying item fit. Removal of misfitting items may improve both the dimensionality and efficacy of screening questionnaires. A Rasch analysis of the HADS-T and subscales was used to explore the factor structure, dimensionality and screening efficacy. A total of 1855 patients completed a touchscreen version of the HADS, including 381 patients who had received a psychiatric interview (SCAN/PSE). These data were analysed using Rasch models, and the screening efficacy at identifying cases of psychological distress and anxiety and depression evaluated. The results demonstrated that the structure of the HADS-T and subscales was unidimensional. Three items from the HADS-T, and one from each of the subscales demonstrated misfit. Screening efficacy for the HADS-T and subscales was modest. However, removal of misfitting items had little impact on screening, demonstrating that items could potentially be omitted, if required. The item range covered a narrow spectrum of psychological distress, predominantly higher levels of distress. Additional items have to be added if screening for moderate to mild distress is to be improved for cancer patients.     

Screening for psychological distress in Japanese cancer patients

BACKGROUND: Psychological distress is frequently observed, however, it is underestimated in cancer patients. The aim of this study is to develop a simple battery for screening for psychological distress, adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder in Japanese cancer patients. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight cancer patients were interviewed by psychiatrists and tested using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a 14-item self-assessment questionnaire. Psychiatric diagnoses were performed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition-revised. RESULTS: Cronbach alpha values of the Japanese version of the scale were 0.77 for the subscale for anxiety and 0.79 for depression. By a receiver operating characteristic analysis, we determined that an optimal cut-off point for screening for adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder was 10/11, which gave high enough sensitivity and specificity (91.5 and 65.4%, respectively). To screen for major depressive disorder alone, 19/20 was an optimal cut-off point with 82.4% sensitivity and 96.3% specificity. The subscales of HADS (anxiety and depression) also had high screening performance. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese version of HADS is a sensitive and specific tool for screening for psychological distress in Japanese cancer patients. This scale can be used for an early detection of patients' psychological distress which may be followed by psychiatric interventions.      

The mediating effects of social support and self-efficacy on the relationship between social distress and emotional distress in head and neck cancer outpatients with facial disfigurement

Objective: Although social support has been recognized as an important factor in the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients, there has been little investigation of the buffering effect of social support on these patients' social distress or of the coping skill of self‐efficacy. The aim of this study was to examine how social support and self‐efficacy mediate the relationship between social distress and emotional distress in head and neck cancer patients. Methods: Two hundred twenty‐five head and neck cancer patients completed our questionnaire (effective response rate, 92.2%). Of these, 129 (57.3%) had facial disfigurement. These participants responded to questions about perception of social distress, social support, self‐efficacy, and emotional distress (depression and anxiety). We used structural equation modeling for statistical analysis. Results: The fit indices of this model were excellent ( χ ² (7) = 9.147, p = 0.242, goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.981, adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI) = 0.922, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.993, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.049). Self‐efficacy strongly buffered the negative influence of social distress on emotional distress. Social support from family members did not have a direct or indirect influence on emotional distress. Social support from friends was related to lower social distress and higher emotional distress. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that self‐efficacy might confound the relationship between social support and emotional distress, and that different sources of social support might play different roles in the mediation of social distress on emotional distress. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Risk Factors for Continuous Distress Over a 12-Month Period in Newly Diagnosed Cancer Outpatients

This analysis examined demographic and medical factors associated with continuous distress in the year following cancer diagnosis. Patients completed the Distress Thermometer, Fatigue and Pain Thermometers, and anxiety and depression measures, at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12 months. A total of 480 patients were grouped into three trajectories for distress, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine risk factors associated with each symptom pattern. Females were more likely to report continuous distress. Predictors of the remaining outcomes included younger age; a diagnosis of head and neck, gastrointestinal, or prostate cancer; and receipt of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. By identifying risk factors for continuous distress, interventions can be implemented more efficiently and targeted to those who are at an elevated risk.     

Psychological distress after cancer cure: a survey of 459 Hodgkin's disease survivors.

To assess the levels of psychological distress and identify predictors of anxiety/depression caseness after cancer cure, a national population of 557 Hodgkin''s disease (HD) survivors was surveyed. The respondents [204 women, 255 men, mean age 44 years (SD = 12)] returned a mailed questionnaire including The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Disease and treatment variables were based on the hospital records. A total of 27% had caseness scores (anxiety, 14.5%; depression, 4%; anxiety and depression, 8.5%). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, anxiety caseness was predicted by low educational status [OR (odds ratio) = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.02-4.22], observational period 7 years or longer (7-10 years: OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.26-7.47), combined irradiation and chemotherapy treatment (OR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.17-6.54) and psychiatric symptoms before HD (OR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.40-4.65) or during treatment (OR = 3.51, 95% CI = 2.08-5.90). Depression caseness was predicted by age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.00-1.06) and psychiatric symptoms before HD (OR = 5.1, 95% CI = 2.55-10.31) Anxiety cases are more prevalent than in the general Norwegian population, and were found to be most common 7-10 years after treatment. The most intensive treatment was associated with increased risk for anxiety caseness. The subjects experienced distress during treatment precedes difficulties in long-term adjustment. Focusing on these predictors during treatment and follow-up controls may improve long-term outcome.     

Prevalence, predictive factors, and screening for psychologic distress in patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND: High levels of distress are a concern regarding patients with head and neck cancer. Early detection of and intervention for such distress are needed to predict patients' adaptation to treatment or rehabilitation, but few studies have investigated the detection of their distress in a patient population of significant size. METHODS: The authors examined 107 consecutive patients with head and neck cancer to assess their psychologic distress (adjustment disorders or major depression) or other psychiatric problems by structured psychiatric interview before the initial cancer treatment. They also evaluated predictive factors for psychologic distress and assessed the ability of a self-rating questionnaire (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) to screen for distress. RESULTS: Of 107 subjects, 18 (16.8%) had an adjustment disorder or major depression. Thirty-six (33.6%), 7 (6. 5%), and 35 (32.7%) met criteria for alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and nicotine dependence, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that having advanced stage cancer (odds ratio, 5. 77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-39.7; P = 0.03) and living alone (odds ratio, 4.83; 95% CI, 1.04-22.2; P = 0.04) were significantly associated with having psychologic distress. The optimal cutoff point for the HADS screening for psychologic distress was 15. This cutoff point gave 72.2% sensitivity and 81.4% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Head and neck cancer patients who have advanced disease or live alone should be assessed so that psychologic distress can be detected and intervention made. HADS is a useful clinical instrument to screen for their distress.     

Predicting delayed anxiety and depression in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of predicting anxiety and depression 6 months after a cancer diagnosis on the basis of measures of anxiety, depression, coping and subjective distress associated with the diagnosis and to explore the possibility of identifying individual patients with high levels of delayed anxiety and depression associated with the diagnosis. A consecutive series of 159 patients with gastrointestinal cancer were interviewed in connection with the diagnosis, 3 months (non-cured patients only) and 6 months later. The interviews utilized structured questionnaires assessing anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale], coping [Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) scale] and subjective distress [Impact of Event (IES) scale]. Patient anxiety and depression close to the diagnosis were found to explain approximately 35% of the variance in anxiety and depression that was found 6 months later. The addition of coping and subjective distress measures did little to improve that prediction. A model using (standardized) cut-off scores of moderate to high anxiety, depression (HAD) and intrusive thoughts (IES subscale) close to the diagnosis to identify patients at risk for delayed anxiety and depression achieved a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 98%. Levels of anxiety and depression at diagnosis predicted a similar status 6 months later. The results also indicated that the HAD scale in combination with the IES intrusion subscale may be used as a tool for detecting patients at risk of delayed anxiety and depression.     

Psychologic distress and head and neck cancer: part 1--review of the literature

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) experience a variety of psychiatric symptoms and disorders, possibly at rates greater than those seen in patients with other types of cancer. This paper reviews the literature on psychologic distress in HNC patients and will also focus on symptoms and diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse--conditions requiring the involvement of healthcare professionals. An awareness of the type of issues experienced by HNC patients is vital for accurate assessment and effective intervention.     

头颈部癌患者生存质量及其影响因素研究

[目的]测评头颈部癌患者术后或放化疗后的生存质量及其影响因素。[方法]对116例头颈部癌术后或放化疗后患者进行问卷调查。[结果]患者生存质量的总分为717.45±109.63。Logistic回归分析表明影响患者生存质量的主要因素有：确诊距今时间、疾病种类、疾病分期、治疗方式、并发症、经济状况、焦虑状况、抑郁状况及社会支持。[结论]应采取综合性的干预措施提高患者的生存质量,既要重视生理因素,也要重视心理和社会因素。     

头颈部肿瘤患者生活质量及相关因素分析

目的探讨头颈部肿瘤患者的生活质量及相关影响因素。方法选取108例头颈部肿瘤患者作为研究对象,采用自行拟定头颈部肿瘤患者一般情况问卷调查表、欧洲癌症研究和治疗协作组生活质量核心问卷（EORTC QLQ-C30）、核心量表的头颈部肿瘤特异性问卷（QLQ-H＆N35）,社会支持评定量表、焦虑自评量表（SAS）及Beck抑郁问卷等对患者进行问卷调查。结果 EORTC QLQ-C30调查结果显示,患者躯体功能、角色功能、情感功能、认知功能、社会功能、症状评分均低于健康人（P〈0.05）,生活质量总评分为（68.78±12.45）分,头颈部肿瘤患者生活质量评分明显低于健康人（t=26.06,P〈0.05）。QLQ-H＆N35调查结果显示,患者社会进食困难及社会接触困难两种症状最为明显。对头颈部肿瘤患者生活质量相关因素分析结果显示,临床分期、疾病不良反应、焦虑及抑郁情况为影响生活质量的危险因素（P〈0.05）,而社会支持为保护性因素（P〈0.05）。结论头颈部肿瘤患者生活质量明显下降,主要不良影响因素为肿瘤分期、疾病不良反应、患者焦虑及抑郁情况,有利的影响因素为社会支持。     

An Investigation of the Effect of Attachment on Distress among Partners of Patients with Ovarian Cancer and Their Relationship with the Cancer Care Providers

Caregivers of patients with ovarian cancer experience distress related to caregiving difficulties within cancer care. Attachment insecurity is a well-known protector of distress, particularly as it relates to support from others. Using multivariate analyses, this study sought to determine the contribution of attachment insecurity and experiences with cancer care on symptoms of depression and anxiety, and investigated whether attachment insecurity moderated the relationship between caregiving experiences and distress. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were conducted as part of a larger cross-sectional questionnaire study of distress among partners of patients with ovarian cancer. Participants (n = 82) were predominantly male, white, had household incomes over $100,000 and postsecondary education. Caregiving experiences explained 56% of the variance in depression, and 28% of the variance in anxiety. Specifically, lack of time for social relations as a result of caregiving significantly predicted depression and anxiety. Attachment anxiety correlated with both depression and anxiety, but attachment avoidance did not. Neither attachment anxiety nor attachment avoidance significantly contributed to distress variance, and neither moderated any of the relationships between caregiving experiences and distress outcomes. This study highlights the importance for cancer care to recognize the effect of caregiving responsibilities upon caregivers’ mental health, regardless of vulnerability to distress.     

Psychological Problems among Head and Neck Cancer Patients in Relation to Utilization of Healthcare and Informal Care and Costs in the First Two Years after Diagnosis

Background: To investigate associations between psychological problems and the use of healthcare and informal care and total costs among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Method: Data were used of the NETherlands QUality of Life and Biomedical Cohort study. Anxiety and depression disorder (diagnostic interview), distress, symptoms of anxiety and depression (HADS), and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and cancer worry scale (CWS) were measured at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. Care use and costs (questionnaire) were measured at baseline, 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up. Associations between psychological problems and care use/costs were investigated using logistic and multiple regression analyses. Results: Data of 558 patients were used. Distress, symptoms of anxiety or depression, FCR, and/or anxiety disorder at baseline were significantly associated with higher use of primary care, supportive care, and/or informal care (odds ratios (ORs) between 1.55 and 4.76). Symptoms of anxiety, FCR, and/or depression disorder at 12-month follow-up were significantly associated with use of primary care, supportive care, and/or informal care (ORs between 1.74 and 6.42). Distress, symptoms of anxiety, and FCR at baseline were associated with higher total costs. Discussion: HNC patients with psychological problems make more use of healthcare and informal care and have higher costs. This is not the result of worse clinical outcomes.     

放疗前后规范化心理护理干预对头颈部肿瘤患者负性情绪的调节作用

目的:探讨放疗前后规范化心理护理干预对头颈部肿瘤患者负性情绪的调节作用。方法:以2016年3月至2018年3月四川大学华西医院头颈部肿瘤科收治的头颈部肿瘤患者86例为研究对象,其中将2016年3月至2017年3月期间收治的42例患者作为对照组,2017年4月至2018年3月期间收治的44例患者作为研究组。研究组患者在常规护理基础上采用规范化的心理护理干预。比较两组患者入院后24 h、出院前24 h、出院后3个月负性情绪的得分情况。结果:研究组患者出院前24 h心理状态总得分显著降低（P＜0.05）。研究组患者出院后3个月焦虑、抑郁、愤怒、总得分均显著降低（P＜0.05）。结论:有针对性的、规范化的心理护理干预能有效改善头颈部肿瘤患者的负性情绪,这为临床中头颈部肿瘤患者的护理工作提供了新的思路。     

Screening for distress can predict loss of follow-up and treatment in cancer patients: results of development and validation of the Distress Inventory for Cancer Version 2

Introduction: The evidence suggests that in most instances distress from cancer goes unrecognised. There has been substantial work in screening for distress leading to development in practice guidelines recommending screening for distress. There is a need to identify distress early in the continuum, where suitable and timely interventions will benefit the patient. The Distress Inventory for Cancer (DIC) was designed for this. Methods: The present study reports the improved psychometric properties of the second version of the DIC (DIC 2). A standardisation sample of 520 patients was administered the 73‐item draft questionnaire as well as the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT‐G). Additional 240 patients were administered Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) besides the final DIC 2 and FACT‐G. Internal consistency was measured with the Cronbach's alpha. Chi‐square, odds ratio, and binary logistic regression were used to compare the results of three tools and to establish validity. Results: A principal factor analysis of the 73‐item draft questionnaire with varimax rotation in a six‐factor structure resulted in 33 items. Activity of daily living emerged as a single item domain. The FACT‐G scores negatively correlated with DIC 2 scores, while emotional distress of DIC 2 overlapped with anxiety in HADS. DIC 2 significantly predicted patient non‐compliance to treatment and follow‐up. Conclusion: The results show a suitable internal consistency, construct, and convergent/divergent validity of the global distress measure (DIC 2). The DIC 2 also demonstrates a predictive function for future negative clinical behaviour, the knowledge of which may facilitate better intervention triage. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prospective studies on mental status and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer treated by radiation

Factors affecting the quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer were determined in a prospective study. Full psychiatric interviews and self-report questionnaires concerning patients' QOL, pain, anxiety, mood, coping style and personality were administered to 35 patients with Stage I or II head and neck cancer before radiation therapy (week 0), and approximately one month (week 4) and two months (week 8) after starting of radiation. Anxiety, depression and pain were more severe at week 4 than at baseline. Anxiety was less at week 8, but depressive symptoms remained remarkable. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that changes in depressed mood and pain partially accounted for changes in disease-specific QOL. General health QOL related to a premorbid personality of openness and an emotional aspect of a coping style. Therapeutic interventions including psychiatric management of depression and physical management of pain appear to be crucial for preserving QOL during radiation treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.     

A randomized controlled trial of preoperative psychological preparation for mastectomy

The effectiveness of a preoperative psychotherapeutic intervention with breast cancer patients was assessed in a randomized controlled trial: (1) preoperative interview plus a 30-minute preoperative psychotherapeutic intervention; (2) preoperative interview plus a 30-minute chat to control for the effects of attention; (3) preoperative interview only; and (4) routine hospital care control. A clinical psychologist interviewed the patient in hospital the afternoon before surgery. A consultant surgeon trained in listening and counselling skills conducted a 30-minute psychotherapeutic intervention or chat. Psychological measures included anxiety and depression, body image distress, stressful life events, social support, and coping. Patients receiving a preoperative interview had lower body image distress at 3 months and 1 year than controls. Controls also showed significantly less Fighting Spirit in 1-year interviews, and more control patients were cases for both anxiety and depression on Present State Examination criteria at 1 year than patients in the experimental groups. The psychotherapeutic intervention was superior to the chat among patients with severe stressful life events. Patients in the chat condition used their 30 minutes with the surgeon to explore symbolically themes of loss and restitution. In a multivariate model for predicting psychological outcome at 3 months and 1 year, experimental group remained a significant predictor when surgical procedure and age were included in the regression equation. Patients undergoing sector mastectomy had lower body image distress scores than mastectomy patients both at 3 months and 1 year. Psychological morbidity in the sample was high preoperatively (59%) and at 1 year (39%), but detection of morbidity by health professionals was poor. Predictors of caseness at follow-up included caseness preoperatively, severe stressful life events, age, marital status, and social support. Implications of the findings for the care of cancer patients in hospital are discussed.