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Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 3/2016

Open Access 01-08-2016 | Epidemiology

Predictors of enduring clinical distress in women with breast cancer

Authors: Deborah N. N. Lo-Fo-Wong, Hanneke C. J. M. de Haes, Neil K. Aaronson, Doris L. van Abbema, Mathilda D. den Boer, Marjan van Hezewijk, Marcelle Immink, Ad A. Kaptein, Marian B. E. Menke-Pluijmers, Anna K. L. Reyners, Nicola S. Russell, Manon Schriek, Sieta Sijtsema, Geertjan van Tienhoven, Mirjam A. G. Sprangers

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

To date, little is known about enduring clinical distress as measured with the commonly used distress thermometer. We therefore used the distress thermometer to examine: (a) the prevalence of enduring clinical distress, distress-related problems, and subsequent wish for referral of women with breast cancer, and (b) sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial predictors of enduring clinical distress. The study had a multicenter, prospective, observational design. Patients with primary breast cancer completed a questionnaire at 6 and 15 months postdiagnosis. Medical data were retrieved from chart reviews. Enduring clinical distress was defined as heightened distress levels over time. The prevalence of enduring clinical distress, problems, and wish for referral was examined with descriptive analyses. Associations between predictors and enduring clinical distress were examined with multivariate analyses. One hundred sixty-four of 746 patients (22 %) reported having enduring clinical distress at 6 and 15 months postdiagnosis. Of these, 10 % wanted to be referred for care. Fatigue was the most frequently reported problem by patients with and without clinical distress, at both time points. Lack of muscle strength (OR = 1.82, 95 % CI 1.12–2.98), experience of a low level of life satisfaction (OR = 0.77, 95 % CI 0.67–0.89), more frequent cancer worry (OR = 1.40, 95 % CI 1.05–1.89), and neuroticism (OR = 1.09, 95 % CI 1.00–1.18) were predictors of enduring clinical distress. In conclusion, one in five women with breast cancer develops enduring clinical distress. Oncologists, nurse practitioners, and cancer nurses are advised to use single-item questions about distress and distress-related problems to ensure timely detection of high-risk patients. Providers should also routinely assess fatigue and its causes, as fatigue is the most frequently reported distress-related problem over time.
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Metadata
Title
Predictors of enduring clinical distress in women with breast cancer
Authors
Deborah N. N. Lo-Fo-Wong
Hanneke C. J. M. de Haes
Neil K. Aaronson
Doris L. van Abbema
Mathilda D. den Boer
Marjan van Hezewijk
Marcelle Immink
Ad A. Kaptein
Marian B. E. Menke-Pluijmers
Anna K. L. Reyners
Nicola S. Russell
Manon Schriek
Sieta Sijtsema
Geertjan van Tienhoven
Mirjam A. G. Sprangers
Publication date
01-08-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-016-3896-7

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