ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of symptom burden and psychological distress among lung cancer patients in the diagnostic phase, and to explore the chain mediating role of social support and resilience between symptom burden and psychological distress. MethodsThe patients with lung cancer in the diagnostic phase who were treated in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from October 2022 to June 2023 were investigated by a general information questionnaire using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Distress Thermometer. The chain mediating role of social support and resilience between symptom burden and psychological distress was analyzed. ResultsA total of 413 lung cancer patients were enrolled, including 173 males and 240 females, aged (54.69±10.82) years. The detection rate of psychological distress among lung cancer patients in the diagnostic phase was 48.18%, and the average score was (3.84±2.50) points. Psychological distress was positively correlated with symptom burden (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with social support and resilience (P<0.01). The mediating effect of resilience between symptom burden and psychological distress was significant. The chain mediating effect of social support and resilience between symptom burden and psychological distress was also significant. ConclusionLung cancer patients in the diagnostic phase have a high detection rate of psychological distress. Symptom burden can directly impact psychological distress, and can affect psychological distress through the indirect path of resilience as well as the chain mediating path between social support and resilience among lung cancer patients in the diagnostic phase.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the degree of psychological pain for cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment and analyze the contributory factors to provide the theoretical basis for psychological intervention for cancer patients with surgical treatment.MethodsThe clinical data of 455 cancer patients who received surgeries in our hospital from November 2020 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 225 males and 230 females aged 53.80±13.50 years. By applying the method of convenient sampling, a cross-sectional survey was carried out by gathering the general information of the patients and evaluating their mental condition with the distress thermometer. The contributory factors were discussed by logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe score for the psychological pain of the patients was 4.11±2.49 points. The main factors contributing to the psychological pain were physical problems, emotional problems and family matters. The logistic regression analysis showed that the main factors related to the degree of psychological pain were cancer types (P=0.023), religious belief (P=0.046), number of niduses (P=0.016), respiratory status (P=0.004), medical expense (P=0.007), grief (P=0.001) and anxiety (P=0.040).ConclusionNearly half of the patients have been subjected to apparent psychological pain, and emotion and physical problems are the main factors. It is crucial to pay attention to the patients’ mental problems, seek convenient tools for psychological evaluation, and take actions to deal with the psychological problems and physical symptoms.
Psychological distress management can effectively reduce the incidence of psychological distress in female breast cancer patients, improve treatment adherence, and enhance quality of life. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in the management of psychological distress among female breast cancer patients, and the development of practice guidelines tailored to the Chinese clinical context holds significant importance. This guideline addresses 13 key clinical questions related to the psychological distress management of female breast cancer patients and provides 27 recommendations. It aims to establish clinical standards for the standardized management of psychological distress, with the goal of improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for female breast cancer patients.
