Abstract 1495P
Background
Cancer diagnosis is related to fear and is a source of great distress for patients. Anxiety and depression are common in cancer patients and seem to affect quality of life, treatment compliance and even survival. Demoralization, that encompass feelings of despair, loss of meaning and spiritual distress, can occur in patients with cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between demoralization, anxiety, and depression and to examine demographic and clinical factors associated with anxiety and depression.
Methods
A convenience sample of 150 cancer inpatients and outpatients from two oncology centers, with various types of solid tumors, receiving oncology treatment, participated in a prospective cross-sectional observational study. The psychometric tools used were the Greek version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and the Demoralization Scale (DEMORALIZATION SCALE II, DS-II). The study was approved by the ethical committee or related boards of each hospital. Each patient was informed about the aims of the study and gave his/her written consent to participate.
Results
Patients mean age was 62 years (20-85 years) and 89 patients (59.3%) were women. Among patients, 33% had breast, 24% gastrointestinal and 15% lung cancer. A number of 82 patients (54,7%) had metastatic disease. Women showed higher rates of anxiety (p = 0.054). Anxiety was inversely related to age (p = 0.043) and positively correlated with time since diagnosis (p = 0.076). Unmarried patients presented higher rates of depression (p =0.026). Multiple linear regression showed a statistically significant impact of Demoralization on anxiety (p <0.001, R2 = 36.3%) and depression (p <0.001, R2 = 49%).
Conclusions
The results highlight the significant impact of demoralization on anxiety and depression in cancer patients. This emphasizes the need for empathy and apprehension of patients’ feelings by health care providers, to timely recognize feelings of despair and distress.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.