Prevalence and related factors of psychological distress among cancer inpatients using routine Distress Thermometer and Chinese Health Questionnaire screening

Abstract

BackgroundClinical practice guidelines suggest routine screening for distress among cancer patients for immediate early psychiatric care. However, previous studies focusing on routine screening for psychological distress among cancer inpatients in Taiwan are scant. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and related factors of psychological distress and mental illness among cancer inpatients in Taiwan.Patients and methodsThis study was conducted as a retrospective chart review in a general hospital in southern Taiwan. Cancer inpatients were regularly screened by nursing staff using the Distress Thermometer and the 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire. Positive screening results on either instrument were followed by a non-commanded referral to psychiatrists for clinical psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.ResultsOf the 810 participants in this study, 179 (22.1%) were recognized as having psychological distress. Younger age (odds ratio [OR] =1.82), having head and neck cancer (OR =2.43), and having not received chemotherapy (OR =1.58) were significantly related to psychological distress. Among the 56 patients (31.3%) with psychological distress who were referred to psychiatrists, the most common mental illness was adjustment disorder (n=22, 39.2%), followed by major depressive disorder (n=13, 23.2%), depressive disorder not otherwise specified (n=6, 10.7%), and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (n=4, 7.1%).ConclusionOur study indicated that cancer inpatients with psychological distress were more likely to be younger in age, have head and neck cancer, and have not received chemotherapy. The most common psychiatric disorder was adjustment disorder. Early detection of psychological distress and prompt psychiatric consultation and management are very important for cancer inpatients.

Mental Distress and Associated Factors Among Hospitalized Medical Surgical Adult Inpatients in Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Cross-sectional Study

“…In this study marital status of being married was an important factor; which was statistically associated with mental distress with almost2.7 times more positively associated with distress than being unmarried. This result of the study was similarly consistent to the study reported from Korea, Gondar University hospital, Ethiopia respectively (10,31). The reason that being married marital status more likely to develop mental distress were might be due to holding more responsibility to their home, family and child care, imbalance of demand and supply of resources to their family during being paired and poor communication and socialization relationship with in the family and other socioeconomically factors might be the possible difference.…”

“…The prevalence of this study was relatively higher than the studies reported from Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, United Kingdome, Northeast Brazil, South Brazil, Uganda and Nigeria hospitalized patients were 25.5%, 34.8%, 44.1%, 8.1%, 27.1%, 33.7%, 22.5% and 22% respectively (22-29) and similarly higher than the studies reported from Vietnam, Jazan Province of Saudi Arabia, Southern Taiwan, Hawassa, Ethiopia, Amanuel mental health hospital, Ethiopia, Menlike II hospital, Ethiopia were 5.4%, 20.6%,38%, 22.1%, 27.1% and 23.2% respectively (5,(30)(31)(32)(33)(34). This variation might be resulted from change in methodological difference, study population; which were data taken from chronic medical surgical and trauma inpatients including intensive care unit inpatients, difference in screening and diagnostic questionnaire tool used; some researchers used like Kessler scale, Burden Assessment Scale, Hospital Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale to measure mental distress and other sociodemographic and environmental factors may increase the prevalence of mental distress on this study.…”

Mental Health Literacy in Cancer Outpatients in Singapore

“…A Taiwanese study reported that 22% of patients with cancer suffered from psychological distress, including adjustment disorder (39%), major depressive disorder (33.9%), and anxiety disorder (7%). 1 The prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with cancer has been reported to be 20% to 38%. 2,3 In Singapore, the prevalence of major depressive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder among patients with cancer have been reported to be 16.8% and 9.5%, respectively-10 times higher than the corresponding rates among the general population.…”

Factors associated with suicidal ideation risk in head and neck cancer: A longitudinal study

“…Studies on suicidal ideation in patients with cancer have consistently reported a relationship among male patients, head and neck cancer (HNC), and depression, Head and neck cancer patients receive treatments, either surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, with heavy side effects and functional loss. Several suicide studies based on head and neck cancer patients have confirmed the association between suicide and emotional distress .…”

“…Screening and referral for depression, distress, mental illness, and mental health problems to psychiatrists is rapidly becoming the standard of care . Several screening tools have been proposed for psychosocial assessment using different questionnaires in clinical scenarios . However, most traditional assessment tools take a large amount of time to complete.…”