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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 10/2011

Open Access 01-10-2011 | Original Article

Development of the Psychosocial Distress Questionnaire—Breast Cancer (PDQ-BC): a breast cancer-specific screening instrument for psychosocial problems

Authors: Mirjam P. J. Bogaarts, Brenda L. Den Oudsten, Jan A. Roukema, Johanna M. G. H. Van Riel, Laurens V. Beerepoot, Jolanda De Vries

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 10/2011

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to develop a short, easy-to-use, and acceptable psychosocial screening instrument specific for breast cancer patients.

Methods

Before the start of adjuvant chemotherapy, 164 (98.8%) women completed the Psychosocial Distress Questionnaire-Breast Cancer (PDQ-BC) as part of routine care. The PDQ-BC consists of questions about psychological risk factors (i.e., trait anxiety and (lack of) social support), psychosocial problems (i.e., state anxiety and depressive symptoms), social problems, physical problems, body image, financial problems, sexual problems, clinical factors (type of surgery, adjuvant treatment other than chemotherapy and psychiatric morbidity), and demographic factors (marital status, age, and age of children).

Results

On average, patients indicated that they needed 5 min to complete the PDQ-BC. All subscales were significantly correlated with each other, except the correlations of social support with physical problems and body image. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the internal structure of the PDQ-BC (comparative fit index = 0.95 (χ 2(24) = 43.3), p = 0.009; non-normed fit index = 0.91; root mean square error of approximation = 0.073). The internal consistency (Cronbach’s alphas) of the subscales trait anxiety, state anxiety, depressive symptoms, body image, social problems, and physical problems were 0.88, 0.85, 0.86, 0.79, 0.42, and 0.69, respectively.

Conclusion

The PDQ-BC is an easy-to-complete, acceptable, non-burdensome, and short screening instrument for routine use in breast cancer patient care. This instrument facilitates a greater awareness of the concerns and needs for breast cancer patients care during treatment with chemotherapy and the follow-up. It is linked to a good referral system to guide allocation to the different levels of psychosocial care providers.
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Metadata
Title
Development of the Psychosocial Distress Questionnaire—Breast Cancer (PDQ-BC): a breast cancer-specific screening instrument for psychosocial problems
Authors
Mirjam P. J. Bogaarts
Brenda L. Den Oudsten
Jan A. Roukema
Johanna M. G. H. Van Riel
Laurens V. Beerepoot
Jolanda De Vries
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 10/2011
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0968-9

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