ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Distress has been defined as a multidimensional construct that extends along a continuum, ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness and fears to problems that can become disabling, such as depression, anxiety, panic, social isolation and existential and spiritual crisis. Several studies have pointed out the need to screen for distress in the cancer. Emotional distress has been found as a core indicator of a patient's health and well-being and has installed it as the sixth vital sign. The aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of distress in cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For the present study, a total of 760 patients with cancer in a tertiary cancer centre were assessed using the Distress Inventory for Cancer Version 2 (DIC V2). A multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify the predictors of distress and six subscales. RESULTS: Female patients under the age of 44 years scheduled to undergo surgery or those who had undergone surgery predicted significantly higher levels of overall distress. Composite disease stage other than stage IV metastatic disease and being a daily wage employee predicted significantly lower levels of overall distress. DISCUSSION: Higher distress among women undergoing surgery could imply distress associated with significant cosmetic disfigurement and feeling of loss of womanhood especially in those with breast or cervix cancer. CONCLUSION: The study once again demonstrate gender and age differences in distress and also highlights the importance of knowing that cancer is confined to one organ and has not spread.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/psychology , Neoplasms/surgery , Stress, Psychological/etiology , Adaptation, Psychological , Adult , Age Factors , Analysis of Variance , Female , Humans , India , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Physician-Patient Relations , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Regression Analysis , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Factors , Social Support , Socioeconomic Factors , Stress, Psychological/diagnosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The need for quality over quantity in cancer survival is increasingly being recognised in the developing countries, and the efforts to monitor quality of life (QOL) are increasing. However, the non-availability of a valid and reliable tool in the local language is a common problem. Cross-culturally sensitive tools enable the researchers to compare different patient populations and identify cultural differences and variations. The present study was carried out to translate, validate and test for reliability a reliable QOL tool for the head and neck cancer patient population in a tertiary care hospital in south India. METHODS: The functional assessment of cancer therapy for head and neck cancer (FACT-H&N) was translated into the local language (Malayalam) and tested for reliability in 140 patients of head and neck cancer. RESULTS: The translated tool showed substantial psychometric sensitivity. The Cronbach's alpha for the total FACT-H&N was 0.94. The alpha scores for the five subscales ranged from 0.81-0.92. Significant correlations were observed amongst the total QOL and subscale scores and patient's demographic, disease and treatment variables. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The Malayalam translation of the FACT-H&N questionnaire was developed, tested and validated. It was found to satisfactorily measure QOL in head and neck cancer patients.
