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01-02-2014 | Original Article

Suicide ideation in stomach cancer survivors and possible risk factors

Authors: Ye-Ni Choi, Young-Ae Kim, Young Ho Yun, Sung Kim, Jae-Moon Bae, Young-Woo Kim, Keun Won Ryu, Jun Ho Lee, Jae-Hyung Noh, Tae-Sung Sohn

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 2/2014

Abstract

Purpose

Although the suicide rate of cancer survivors is higher than that of the general population, few studies have examined the potential risk factors. We assessed suicide ideation (SI) and investigated its correlates among survivors of stomach cancer, which is one of the most prevalent cancers in Korea.

Methods

We surveyed 378 stage I–III stomach cancer survivors who had been disease free for at least 1 year. The survey contained demographic questions and quality of life assessments from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and its stomach cancer-specific module, the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Brief Fatigue Inventory, and one question from the Beck Depression Inventory.

Results

We found that 131/378 stomach cancer survivors (34.7 %) experienced SI. Univariate analyses showed that SI was significantly associated with income, comorbidity, smoking, and the following quality of life factors: general health status, emotional functioning, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, dyspnea, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, financial problems, eating restriction, anxiety, dry mouth, trouble belching, hair loss, body image, existential well-being, and social support. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that SI was independently associated with diarrhea (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.84; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.44–5.62), hair loss (aOR 2.77; 95 % CI 1.04–7.36), existential well-being (aOR 6.18; 95 % CI 2.91–13.1), and usual fatigue (aOR 2.29; 95 % CI 1.30–4.06).

Conclusion

Our findings reveal a high prevalence of SI among stomach cancer survivors and identify health-related quality of life issues such as diarrhea, hair loss, existential well-being, and fatigue as important risk factors of SI.

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Title: Suicide ideation in stomach cancer survivors and possible risk factors
Authors: Ye-Ni Choi
Young-Ae Kim
Young Ho Yun
Sung Kim
Jae-Moon Bae
Young-Woo Kim
Keun Won Ryu
Jun Ho Lee
Jae-Hyung Noh
Tae-Sung Sohn
Publication date: 01-02-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 2/2014
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1975-4

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Purpose

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