BackgroundBrain tumor patients present high rates of distress, anxiety, and depression, in particular perioperatively. For resection of eloquent located cerebral lesions, awake surgery is the gold standard surgical method for the preservation of speech and motor function, which might be accompanied by increased psychological distress. The aim of the present study was to analyze if patients who are undergoing awake craniotomy suffer from increased prevalence or higher scores in distress, anxiety, or depression.MethodsPatients, who were electively admitted for brain tumor surgery at our neurooncological department, were perioperatively screened regarding distress, anxiety, and quality of life using three established self-assessment instruments (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, distress thermometer, and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30-BN20). Screening results were correlated regarding operation technique (awake vs. general anesthesia). Retrospective statistical analyses for nominal variables were conducted using chi-square test. Metric variables were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, the Mann–Whitney U-test, and independent-samples t-tests.ResultsData from 54 patients (26 male and 28 female) aged 29 to 82 years were available for statistical analyses. A total of 37 patients received primary resection and 17 recurrent tumor resection. Awake surgery was performed in 35 patients. There was no significant difference in awake versus non-awake surgery patients regarding prevalence (of distress (p = 0.465), anxiety (p = 0.223), or depression (p = 0.882). Furthermore, awake surgery had no significant influence on distress thermometer score (p = 0.668), anxiety score (p = 0.682), or depression score (p = 0.630) as well as future uncertainty (p = 0.436) or global health status (p = 0.943). Additionally, analyses revealed that primary or recurrent surgery also did not have any significant influence on the prevalence or scoring of the evaluated items.ConclusionAnalyses of our cohort’s data suggest that planned awake surgery might not have a negative impact on patients concerning the prevalence and severity of manifestation of distress, anxiety, or depression in psychooncological screening. Patients undergoing recurrent surgery tend to demonstrate increased distress, although results were not significant.
Up to 40% of neuro-oncological patients already deal with high levels of distress under conventional circumstances. Due to COVID-19, pandemic hospital visitor rules have been restricted and patients did not receive the same level of supporting caregiver network as before COVID. The aim of the present study was to analyse the impact of the COVID pandemic on the prevalence of distress, anxiety and depression in neuro-oncological patients. Patients admitted for brain tumour surgery were screened regarding distress, anxiety and depression. Furthermore, aspects of patients’ quality of life and clinical data were covered. Retrospectively available data of patients treated pre-pandemic (group A) and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (group B) were statistically analysed using Chi-square tests and independent-sample t-tests, and regression analysis was performed to support statistical findings. Data from 110 patients were available. In all, 48 patients were included pre-COVID-19 and 62 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors found no significant difference between pre-COVID-19 prevalence of distress (p = 0.112), anxiety (p = 0.385) or depression (p = 0.084). Regression analyses additionally did not show any significant influence of COVID-19 on the above analysed parameter. Analyses of our cohort’s data could not underline the negative impact of COVID-19 restrictions, shortcuts of professional and remodelled caregiver support on psycho-oncological outcomes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.