5591 - Worse Patient- Physician Relationship Is Associated With More Fear Of Cancer Recurrence (Deimos Study): A Study Of The Palliative Care Working Committee Of The Turkish Oncology Group (TOG)

Background

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is an important psychological trauma that has been associated with reduction in the quality of life, disruptions in the level of adjustment, emotional distress and anxiety. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the impact of patient–physician relationship on FCR.

Methods

The study was designed as a multicenter survey study. The cancer survivors who were under remission, were evaluated with structured questionnaires. Patient–physician relationship (PPR) scale in which higher scores indicate better relationship and FCR inventory were used.

Results

Between January-April 2019, 1580 patients were evaluated. The median age was 57.0(19-88) and 66% were female. There was high level of FCR scores in 51% of participants. There was a negative correlation between PPR and FCR scores (r= -0.134, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis; young age (OR = 1.46 CI(95%) 1.1-1.8, p = 0.002), female gender (OR = 1.93 CI(95%) 1.5-2.4, p < 0.001), history of non-routine imaging (OR = 1.8 CI(95%) 1.4-2.4, p < 0.001) and worse PPR (OR = 1.31 CI(95%) 1.07-1.6, p = 0.009) were associated with high levels of FCR.Table: 1617PD

The multivariate analysis of factors associated with high FCR scores

Conclusions

It is the first data showing the adverse impact of worse PPR on FCR. The strategies to improve the PPR should be practiced. In addition, the cancer survivors who are under the risk of FCR, should be evaluated and managed.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Ali Alkan.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.