Functional Impairments in the Mental Health, Depression and Anxiety Related to the Viral Epidemic, and Disruption in Healthcare Service Utilization among Cancer Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

Abstract

Literature is scarce regarding cancer care utilization during the massive outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 in the Republic of Korea. We investigated functional impairments in mental health and their relationships with depression, anxiety regarding the viral epidemic, and disruptions in healthcare service utilization among cancer patients in the COVID-19 pandemic era. Materials and MethodsWe used an online survey with questions related to the disturbances faced by patients with cancer in utilizing healthcare services in the pandemic era. Current mental health status was assessed using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics -6 (SAVE-6) scale, Patient Health Questionnaire -9 (PHQ-9), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Cancer-related Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep scale (C-DBS), and Fear of COVID-19 over Cancer (FCC). ResultsAmong the 221 responders, 95 (43.0%) reported disturbances in utilizing hospital care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression analysis revealed that functional impairment in the mental health of these patients was expected due to disturbances in healthcare service utilization, high levels of depression, anxiety regarding the viral epidemic, fear of COVID over cancer, and low resilience. Mediation analysis showed that patient resilience and cancer-related dysfunctional beliefs about sleep partially mediated the effects of anxiety on functional impairment. ConclusionIn this pandemic era, patients with cancer experience depression, anxiety regarding the viral CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT (CRT) 4 Korean Cancer Association This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.epidemic, and disruptions in healthcare service utilization, which may influence their functional impairments in mental health.

The role of social support and resilience in the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in Spain

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