Predictors of quality of life and resilience in patients with ovarian cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the psychosocial burdens of patients with ovarian cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ovarian cancer patients answered a quantitative survey assessing their resilience (BRS) and quality of life (FACT-G7) as well as clinical (first- vs. ≥ second-line treatment), demographic (age < 65 vs. ≥ 65 years) and COVID-19 pandemic-related psychosocial impairment, i.e. anxiety (GAD7); depression (PHQ2); global physical, mental, and social health (PROMIS items). Analyses of variance were applied to compare psychological impairment between patients on first- vs. ≥ second-line treatment and between patients aged < vs. ≥ 65 years at start of treatment. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate predictors of patients' resilience and quality of life based on demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables.

Most of the 93 patients rated their physical and mental health, and satisfaction with social activities as good. Eighty-seven (91.4%) were somewhat or very concerned about the pandemic. Patients on first-line therapy reported a better quality of life (p = 0.03) and better general health (p = 0.014) than those on at least second-line therapy. Patients < 65 years old reported significantly more concern about the pandemic than older patients (p = 0.008). Predictors of resilience were severity of anxiety (GAD-7) and mental health. Predictors of quality of life were general health, severity of depression (PHQ-2), and type of therapy.

Patients in first line of treatment and younger patients could benefit from support in coping with pandemic-related burdens, meaning that attention should be paid to potential psychological distress, which should be treated alongside the cancer.