Abstract 1621P
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as the most important international health problem of the last decades. This study explores the psychopathological implications that Covid-19 has caused on cancer patients during the first wave of the pandemic in Spain.
Methods
In this prospective study, we included cancer patients in active treatment from March to June 2020. A 24-question semi-structured questionnaire was designed to measure baseline demographic, clinical and Covid-19 exposure characteristics. Mental health was assessed using the validated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A descriptive and analytical univariate analysis of the variables studied was performed. Results have been compared with baseline emotional distress rates from historical cohorts in cancer patients.
Results
104 cancer patients were included; a 52.8% of emotional distress, 42.3% of anxiety and 58.6% of depression were detected. 51% of patients expressed higher concern about cancer diagnosis vs COVID-19 infection. Tumor type, stage, type of oncologic treatment or rescheduling of cancer therapy were not related with higher levels of psychological symptomatology. Patients with previous consumption of psychotropic drugs and those who adopted additional infection prevention measures because they considered themselves at risk of having a more aggressive COVID-19 disease had higher levels of emotional distress (p=0.008; p=0.003), anxiety (p=0.026; p=0.004) and depression (p=0.013; p=0.008). Emotional distress was higher in patients whose financial status had worsened (p=0.002). Anxiety rates were higher among patients who often used relaxing therapies (p=0.011) and those who were frequently exposed to media (p=0.05). Depression rates were higher among patients with lower educational level (p=0.032), in those whose economic situation had worsened (p=0.003), and those who relied on Religion or Faith (p=0.029).
Conclusions
High rates of emotional distress have been detected during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic among cancer patients in active treatment, however, not higher than expected in this population. The cancer disease itself continues to be the main factor of concern for cancer patients, above and beyond the distress generated by Covid-19 pandemic.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Hospital Universitario De La Princesa, Medical Oncology Department.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.