Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patient-Reported Outcomes of Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors

Bargon, Claudia A.; Batenburg, Marilot C T; Stam, Lilianne E van; Molen, Dieuwke R Mink van der; Dam, Iris E. van; Leij, Femke van der; Baas, Inge O.; Ernst, Miranda F.; Maarse, Wiesje; Vermulst, Nieke; Schoenmaeckers, Ernst J. P.; Dalen, Thijs van; Bijlsma, Rhodé M; Young‐Afat, Danny A.; Doeksen, A.; Verkooijen, Helena M.

doi:10.1093/jncics/pkaa104

Cited by 63 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Second, even though baseline characteristics of responders and non-responders should be comparable, an under-or overestimation of the results due to selective (non-)response could not be ruled out as the reasons for 40% non-response were unknown. Similar survey in oncological setting were reported in literature in studies conducted with the same modality of administration (28).…”

Section: Measurement Of Bssupporting

confidence: 81%

Being a Myeloproliferative Patient in COVID-19 Era: The Mytico Study

et al. 2021

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IntroductionThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting social distancing, determined a reduction in access to care and limitations of individual freedom, with a consequent strong impact on quality of life (QoL), anxiety levels and medical management of onco-hematological people. In particular, in the case of patients with chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), concern about SARS-CoV-2 infection added to the burden of symptoms (BS) which already weights on the QoL of these patients. We designed a cross-sectional survey in order to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on status of anxiety, BS and QoL in MPN patients.MethodsWe analyzed the anxiety levels using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS); BS modifications were studied using the 18 items of the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form [MPN-SAF].Results132 people answered to the survey: 27 (20.4%) patients achieved a moderate to marked anxiety index value: this group described a greater worsening of symptoms than the rest of the cohort (p <0.0001). Women showed a higher level of anxiety than men (p = 0.01). A trend for lower level of anxiety was reported by patients who performed habitual physical activity (p = 0.06). A total of 98 (74.2%) patients described worsening of their symptoms during the quarantine period; 94 (71.2%) patients had postponed appointments or visits: they showed a significant worsening of their BS (p =0.01).ConclusionThis study first showed that the COVID-19 quarantine had a significant negative impact on the level of anxiety and BS in MPN patients. We identified female gender, absence of physical activity, the need for frequent visit to the hospital and the absence of a direct access to healthcare staff as the main factors associated to a higher anxiety index and worst BS.

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Section: Measurement Of Bssupporting

confidence: 81%

Being a Myeloproliferative Patient in COVID-19 Era: The Mytico Study

et al. 2021

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“…A study from Poland has recently analyzed 238 patients with stage III/IV of different types of cancer undergoing chemotherapy by using EORTC QLQ-C30: compared to reference values, the global QoL, and the cognitive and social functioning were significantly lower during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as insomnia, fatigue, and loss of appetite items appeared to be worse [ 11 ]. Similarly, other studies analyzed the psychological status of COVID-19 in specific cancer subpopulations (gynecological and hematological tumors), confirming a deterioration in terms of QoL and an increase of anxiety and distress symptoms [ 28 – 31 ]. Such results may instead not apply to all fields of head and neck oncology: for instance, Falcone et al did not find any significant deterioration in EORTC QLQ-C30 scores of patients with thyroid malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life of head and neck cancer survivors

Gallo

Bruno

Locatello

et al. 2021

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Background Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors are particularly vulnerable to the deleterious consequences of lockdown and social distancing. The psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on this group are still unknown, and we want to explore how their quality of life (QoL) has changed in this unique situation. Materials and methods An online survey, composed of pandemic-specific items, plus the EORTC QLQ-C30, was administered to a cohort of HNC survivors. Using previously published reference values as a control group, we have evaluated the impact of the pandemic on their QoL. We have also explored the differences between those who had received a total laryngectomy (LP, laryngectomized population) vs other HNC patients, in order to assess the role of tracheostomy in this regard. Results One hundred and twenty-one HNC patients completed the survey. The scores of the physical (80.5 vs 85, p = 0.028), role (78 vs 84, p = 0.030), and emotional functioning (76 vs 81, p = 0.041) were significantly different in the two groups, with worse functioning in our patients. Comparing LP with the other HNC patients, social (76.6 vs 88.9, p = 0.008) and physical functioning (75.5 vs 86.1, p = 0.006) were significantly worse in the former group. LP also reported a greater perception that others are afraid to be close to them (1.67 vs 1.32, p = 0.020). No differences were found between LP with and without voice prosthesis. Conclusions Our results show how HNC patients are at high risk for a worsening in QoL because of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

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“…Indeed, loneliness was a top concern among cancer survivors seeking psycho-oncology treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic ( Schellekens and Lee, 2020 ). Among individuals being treated for breast cancer during the pandemic, one in two reported moderate or severe levels of loneliness ( Bargon et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial Impact of Cancer Care Disruptions in Women With Breast Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in cancer care, and preliminary research suggests that these disruptions are associated with increased levels of psychosocial distress among cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to offer a descriptive report of the psychosocial functioning, perceived risk and fear of cancer progression, and COVID-19 pandemic impact and experiences in a unique, high-risk patient cohort: breast cancer survivors whose cancer treatment was delayed and/or changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 women with dual carcinoma in situ, lobular carcinoma in situ, or invasive breast cancer whose cancer surgery was postponed due to the pandemic. As they awaited delayed surgery or shortly after they received delayed surgery, participants completed questionnaires on psychosocial functioning (depression, anxiety, sleep, and quality of life), their perceived risk and fear of cancer progression, patient-provider communication about disruptions in their care, personal impact of the pandemic, worry/threat about COVID-19, and COVID-19 symptoms/diagnoses. Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations were computed among continuous study variables. Independent samples t-tests explored group differences in psychosocial functioning between survivors who were still awaiting delayed surgery and those who had recently received it.Results: Overall, the sample denied that the pandemic seriously negatively impacted their finances or resource access and reported low-to-moderate levels of psychosocial distress and fear about COVID-19. Twenty-six percent had clinically significant levels of fear of cancer progression, with levels comparable to other recent work. About a third were still awaiting delayed cancer surgery and this group reported lower satisfaction with communication from oncology providers but overall did not seem to report more psychosocial difficulties than those who already had surgery.Conclusion: Shortly before or after primary breast cancer surgery that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this sample of survivors appears to be generally managing well psychosocially. However, many psychosocial difficulties (e.g., fear of cancer recurrence/progression) typically have an onset after the completion of treatment, therefore, research should continue to follow this cohort of cancer survivors as the pandemic’s direct impact on their care likely increases their risk for these difficulties later in survivorship.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patient-Reported Outcomes of Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors

Cited by 63 publications

References 45 publications

Being a Myeloproliferative Patient in COVID-19 Era: The Mytico Study

Being a Myeloproliferative Patient in COVID-19 Era: The Mytico Study

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life of head and neck cancer survivors

Psychosocial Impact of Cancer Care Disruptions in Women With Breast Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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