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A prospective study of psychological distress among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Teo, I; Ng, S; Bundoc, FG; Malhotra, C; Ozdemir, S; Steel, JL; Finkelstein, EA; COMPASS Group
Published in: Cancer Med
April 2023

BACKGROUND: Cancer can impact the psychological well-being of both patients and their informal caregivers. We investigated the joint trajectories of psychological distress among Singaporean advanced cancer patients-caregiver dyads. We also examined predictors of trajectory group membership. METHODS: This study utilised data from 299 patients with advanced solid cancer and their caregivers over 33 months (12 times points). Group-based trajectory modelling was used to examine the joint trajectories of patient anxiety, patient depression, caregiver anxiety and caregiver depression scores using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Four joint trajectory groups were found: (1) Patient-caregiver low distress (27%), (2) patient-caregiver increasing distress (28.5%), (3) patient low- caregiver borderline distress (25%), (4) patient-caregiver high distress (19.5%). Dyads where the patient is below 50 years of age were more likely to be in Group 4. Dyads where caregiver-patient emotional closeness was low were more likely to be in Groups 2 or 4 where dyads reported increasing/high distress. Dyads that reported financial inadequacy were more likely to be in Groups 2, 3 and 4, while dyads with caregivers who were employed were more likely to be in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of patients and caregivers reported anxiety and/or depression that lasted or increased throughout the study duration. We found significant heterogeneity in how dyads experienced psychological distress, suggesting that efforts should consider dyadic differences when providing psychological support. Particular focus should be placed on identifying dyads that are at risk and who require additional support.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Cancer Med

DOI

EISSN

2045-7634

Publication Date

April 2023

Volume

12

Issue

8

Start / End Page

9956 / 9965

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress, Psychological
  • Quality of Life
  • Psychological Distress
  • Prospective Studies
  • Neoplasms
  • Humans
  • Depression
  • Caregivers
  • Anxiety
  • 3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis
 

Citation

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Chicago
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Teo, I., Ng, S., Bundoc, F. G., Malhotra, C., Ozdemir, S., Steel, J. L., … COMPASS Group. (2023). A prospective study of psychological distress among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Cancer Med, 12(8), 9956–9965. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5713
Teo, Irene, Sean Ng, Filipinas Gines Bundoc, Chetna Malhotra, Semra Ozdemir, Jennifer L. Steel, Eric A. Finkelstein, and COMPASS Group. “A prospective study of psychological distress among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.Cancer Med 12, no. 8 (April 2023): 9956–65. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5713.
Teo I, Ng S, Bundoc FG, Malhotra C, Ozdemir S, Steel JL, et al. A prospective study of psychological distress among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Cancer Med. 2023 Apr;12(8):9956–65.
Teo, Irene, et al. “A prospective study of psychological distress among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.Cancer Med, vol. 12, no. 8, Apr. 2023, pp. 9956–65. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/cam4.5713.
Teo I, Ng S, Bundoc FG, Malhotra C, Ozdemir S, Steel JL, Finkelstein EA, COMPASS Group. A prospective study of psychological distress among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Cancer Med. 2023 Apr;12(8):9956–9965.
Journal cover image

Published In

Cancer Med

DOI

EISSN

2045-7634

Publication Date

April 2023

Volume

12

Issue

8

Start / End Page

9956 / 9965

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress, Psychological
  • Quality of Life
  • Psychological Distress
  • Prospective Studies
  • Neoplasms
  • Humans
  • Depression
  • Caregivers
  • Anxiety
  • 3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis