Abstract |
To investigate prospectively the prevalence of high levels of emotional distress and referral rate to psychosocial care in head and neck cancer ( HNSCC) patients. Fifty-five consecutive newly diagnosed HNSCC patients were asked to complete the hospital anxiety and depression scale ( HADS) and the EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N35 quality of life questionnaires on a touch screen computer-assisted data collection system on their first visit and during follow-up visit. Sociodemographic, clinical, and quality of life parameters were compared to a high level of distress ( HADS score >15). Number of patients with a high level of distress were compared to referral rates to psychosocial care as retrieved from patient hospital files. At time of diagnosis, 18% (10/55) of the patients had a high level of distress (related to tumor stage and site, and global quality of life and social eating) versus 25% (14/55) at follow-up (related to a variety of quality of life parameters). Low levels of distress at baseline or follow-up was noted in 64%; 18% had normal scores at baseline and developed distress at follow-up; 11% had high levels at baseline and returned to normal scores at follow-up, and 7% had persistent distress from baseline to follow-up. No patients were referred to psychosocial care at time of diagnosis. At follow-up visit 21% (3/14) were referred, all patients who developed a high level of distress after initial diagnosis. High level of emotional distress is common and few patients are referred to psychosocial care. Development of a stepped care model (including careful monitoring by using a touch screen computer system) may meet the potentially unmet needs of HNC patients and contribute improving cancer care.
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Authors | Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw, Remco de Bree, Alieke L Keizer, Ton Houffelaar, Pim Cuijpers, Mecheline H van der Linden, C René Leemans |
Journal | Oral oncology
(Oral Oncol)
Vol. 45
Issue 10
Pg. e129-33
(Oct 2009)
ISSN: 1879-0593 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 19362038
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Anxiety Disorders
(diagnosis, epidemiology)
- Data Collection
(methods)
- Depressive Disorder
(diagnosis, epidemiology)
- Female
- Head and Neck Neoplasms
(psychology)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prevalence
- Prospective Studies
- Quality of Life
- Referral and Consultation
(statistics & numerical data)
- Risk Factors
- Social Support
- Stress, Psychological
(diagnosis, epidemiology)
- Surveys and Questionnaires
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