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. 2020 Apr;29(4):703-710.
doi: 10.1002/pon.5321. Epub 2020 Jan 16.

Distress in cancer patients: Who are the main groups at risk?

Peter Herschbach  1   2 , Ingrid Britzelmeir  3 , Andreas Dinkel  2 , Jürgen M Giesler  4 , Kathleen Herkommer  5 , Alexandra Nest  6 , Theresia Pichler  1 , Ralf Reichelt  7 , Sylvia Tanzer-Küntzer  1 , Joachim Weis  8 , Birgitt Marten-Mittag  2
Affiliations

Distress in cancer patients: Who are the main groups at risk?

Peter Herschbach et al. Psychooncology. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: Psychosocial distress is common in cancer patients and survivors and encompasses a broad range of concerns and psychological symptoms. The aim of the current study was to identify subgroups of respondents who experience a specific constellation of distress symptoms.

Methods: This study uses data from a large data base (n = 21 680) of cancer patients from diverse settings who provided data in the Questionnaire on Distress in Cancer Patients-Short Form (QSC-R10). Cluster analysis was applied to identify subgroups with a distinct constellation of distress symptoms.

Results: The results showed five distinct clusters: minimally distressed patients (46.6% of the sample), highly distressed patients (12.7%), mainly physically distressed patients (15.2%), mainly psychologically distressed patients (15.6%), and mainly socially distressed patients (9.9%). These groups differed with regard to age, sex, cancer site, treatment setting, and disease progression.

Conclusion: The results revealed large heterogeneity in the experience of distress. Distress clusters were associated with socio-demographic and clinical variables. These associations might aid a clinician to tailor interventions and to address specific types of distress.

Keywords: cancer; cluster analysis; distress screening; oncology; psycho-oncology; psychosocial distress.

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References

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