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. 2024 Jul 1;25(7):2483-2492.
doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.7.2483.

Characterizing the Physical and Psychological Experiences of Newly Diagnosed Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Ateya Megahed Ibrahim  1   2 , Wafaa Farraj Aljohani  3   4 , Ishraga A Mohamed  3   4 , Donia Elsaid Fathi Zaghamir  1   5 , Elhaga Ibrahim Eldesouky Mohamed  6   7 , Nadia Mohamed Ibrahim Wahba  1   8 , Marwa A Shahin  9   10 , Prakash Palanivelu  1 , Arul Vellaiyan  1 , Laila Zeidan Ghazy Mohammed  11   12 , Rasmia Abd El-Sattar Ali  13 , Ghada A Hassan  14
Affiliations

Characterizing the Physical and Psychological Experiences of Newly Diagnosed Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Ateya Megahed Ibrahim et al. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. .

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis, causing significant physical and psychological distress that detrimentally impacts patients' quality of life.

Aim: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the physical and psychological status of newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients.

Methods: A cohort of 138 newly diagnosed patients completed standardized assessments, including the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Distress Thermometer (DT). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results: The ESAS scores revealed high symptom burden, with mean scores of 6.8 for pain, 7.2 for fatigue, and 4.9 for depression. Measures of well-being indicated low scores, with means of 2.3 for physical well-being, 1.5 for social/family well-being, and 1.7 for emotional well-being. Distress levels were also high, with a mean score of 7.6 on the DT.

Conclusion: Newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients experience substantial physical and psychological challenges, including severe symptom burden, distress, depressive symptoms, and cognitive impairment. Holistic care approaches that prioritize symptom management and address psychological distress are essential to improve patient outcomes and enhance overall well-being.

Keywords: Newly diagnosed; Pancreatic cancer; Psychological distress; symptom burden.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared that there was no any conflict of interest.

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