Psychological distress in a Portuguese sample of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective:Considering the lack of studies exploring the psychological impact of COVID-19 on patients living with and beyond cancer, this study aimed to explore the levels of emotional distress, anxiety, and depression in patients with cancer and survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify psychological risk factors.Methods:Data for this cross-sectional study were collected through an online questionnaire comprised a self-report questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive statistics and linear regression models were used to characterize the sample and identify the determinants of emotional distress, depression, and anxiety. Statistical analyses were performed using R, version 4.1.1.Results:The sample included 940 patients with cancer and survivors, mostly female (87.1%), with a mean age of 49.7 years. More than half of the patients were survivors (55.1%); 56.7% were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 35.0% had other chronic diseases. Most participants believed that they were more likely to be infected with COVID-19 (53.9%) and that they may have more complications if they were infected (76.7%). Approximately half of the participants revealed significant emotional distress (49.3%), 18.1% revealed significant depression, and 29.2% revealed significant anxiety. Female patients, participants with lower education levels, unemployed/lay-off, or in a medical leave with a chronic disease, taking care of someone with a chronic disease, or perceiving a higher risk of being infected with COVID-19 had higher levels of emotional distress, depression, and anxiety.Conclusions:This study provides useful information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of patients with cancer and survivors, showing that an increased number of patients experienced significant emotional distress during the pandemic.

Emotional Distress in Portuguese Cancer Patients: The Use of the Emotion Thermometers (ET) Screening Tool

“…It is also important to acknowledge that part of the data for this study was collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have exacerbated the distress experienced by cancer patients, including those seeking psychological support in a cancer NGO. This is consistent with previous findings, in line with appraisal theory, which postulates that the psychological well-being and distress of cancer patients were greatly affected by how they evaluated and interpreted the threat posed by the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as their perceived capabilities to cope with the unique challenges brought on by the pandemic [57][58][59]. The heightened distress observed in cancer patients during this time may be attributed to the increased perceived threat of contracting the virus and the uncertainties surrounding treatment access and healthcare services, which might have amplified feelings of vulnerability and a reduced sense of control.…”