Predictive Factors for Psychological Distress in Patients with Lung Cancer Who Underwent Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Lobectomy

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#This study sought to identify potential predictors of psychological distress among patients with lung cancer who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. @*Methods@#Seventy patients with lung cancer were recruited. Patients’ data were collected between February and November 2021 using Distress Thermometer (DT) scale and problem lists. Patients were categorized into mild (DT score < 4 points) and moderate/severe (DT score) groups at six months postoperatively. Data analysis was performed with descriptive statistics, χ²-test, independent t-test, and logistic regression. @*Results@#Of the 70 participants, 40 (57.1%) displayed elevated distress, as indicated by DT score of ≥ 4, six months after VATS lobectomy. Depression (p=.008), nervousness (p=.002), sadness (p=.035), getting around (p=.016), and sexual problems (p=.019) were more frequent in the moderate/severe group. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age < 65 years (odds ratio (OR)=4.41) and nervousness (OR=5.52) were predictive factors for high postoperative psychological distress. @*Conclusion@#More than half of patients with lung cancer had moderate/severe distress at six months after VATS lobectomy. Further research is needed to reduce symptoms or manifestations of distress such as nervousness in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer, especially among patients who are under 65 years of age.