PURPOSE: In a previous study by the SEPOS group, cancer patients concerns were correlated to psychosocial morbidity (HADS) and maladaptive coping styles (MiniMAC) and negatively to QoL variables. As part of the SEPOS general investigation the aim of the present study is: i) to identify the main concerns in southern European cancer patients and its relation to age, sex, cancer site, type of treatment received, and ii) identify specific concerns with regard to each country. METHODS: A convenience sample of 287 outpatients with a diagnosis of cancer between 6 to 18 months, a good performance status (KPS>80), no cognitive deficits were approached in university or affiliated cancer centres or hospitals in Italy, Portugal and Spain. Each patient was evaluated for concerns about illness (CWI), socio-demographic characteristics and clinical data. RESULTS: Concerns in general were not high in our population. However the most significant ones concern illness, emotional issues and the future. Significant differences were found for CWI-total score only in terms of age, but using descriptive analysis significant differences emerged for specific concerns relatively to all the variables studied and its categories (e.g., 36-45 yrs old are mostly worried with relationship with partner, economical and work-related issues) and for each country (e.g., Portuguese patients were most worried and Italians least). DISCUSSION: A good KPS used as recruitment criterion may have influenced a relatively low rate of concerns in our study. Addressing patients’ specific concerns is an important target in cancer care to meet their needs and develop tailored psychosocial programs. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Project funded by the European Commission Health and Consumer Protection – Commission on Cancer agreement University of Ferrara, Italy SI2.307317.2000CVG2-026.
What Concerns Them Most? Report from the Southern European Psycho-Oncology Study (SEPOS)
GRASSI, Luigi
2006
Abstract
PURPOSE: In a previous study by the SEPOS group, cancer patients concerns were correlated to psychosocial morbidity (HADS) and maladaptive coping styles (MiniMAC) and negatively to QoL variables. As part of the SEPOS general investigation the aim of the present study is: i) to identify the main concerns in southern European cancer patients and its relation to age, sex, cancer site, type of treatment received, and ii) identify specific concerns with regard to each country. METHODS: A convenience sample of 287 outpatients with a diagnosis of cancer between 6 to 18 months, a good performance status (KPS>80), no cognitive deficits were approached in university or affiliated cancer centres or hospitals in Italy, Portugal and Spain. Each patient was evaluated for concerns about illness (CWI), socio-demographic characteristics and clinical data. RESULTS: Concerns in general were not high in our population. However the most significant ones concern illness, emotional issues and the future. Significant differences were found for CWI-total score only in terms of age, but using descriptive analysis significant differences emerged for specific concerns relatively to all the variables studied and its categories (e.g., 36-45 yrs old are mostly worried with relationship with partner, economical and work-related issues) and for each country (e.g., Portuguese patients were most worried and Italians least). DISCUSSION: A good KPS used as recruitment criterion may have influenced a relatively low rate of concerns in our study. Addressing patients’ specific concerns is an important target in cancer care to meet their needs and develop tailored psychosocial programs. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Project funded by the European Commission Health and Consumer Protection – Commission on Cancer agreement University of Ferrara, Italy SI2.307317.2000CVG2-026.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
