Risk Factors for Continuous Distress Over a 12-Month Period in Newly Diagnosed Cancer Outpatients

Abstract

This analysis examined demographic and medical factors associated with continuous distress in the year following cancer diagnosis. Patients completed the Distress Thermometer, Fatigue and Pain Thermometers, and anxiety and depression measures, at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12 months. A total of 480 patients were grouped into three trajectories for distress, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine risk factors associated with each symptom pattern. Females were more likely to report continuous distress. Predictors of the remaining outcomes included younger age; a diagnosis of head and neck, gastrointestinal, or prostate cancer; and receipt of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. By identifying risk factors for continuous distress, interventions can be implemented more efficiently and targeted to those who are at an elevated risk.

KEYWORDS:

• longitudinal study
• distress trajectories
• risk factors
• psychosocial symptoms

Acknowledgments

Dr. Linda E. Carlson holds the Enbridge Research Chair in Psychosocial Oncology, cofunded by the Canadian Cancer Society Alberta/NWT Division and the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Data used for this study was collected for a project funded by the Research Initiatives Program of the Alberta Cancer Research Institute. Thanks to research assistants who worked on this project: Andrea Williams, Paula Jones, Johan Halland, Jassandre Adamyk, Sacha Bachor, Paula McQuaid, and Agnes Sroczynska.