Evaluation of trait anxiety as predictors of psychological distress and low HRQL among breast cancer patients.

Abstract

e19568 Background: Cancer patients frequently experience multiple and co-occurring problems due to their illness and therapies. Only few studies have suggested the contribution of specific psychological factors during cancer therapy. We have focused on trait anxiety, which is a general tendency to exhibit anxiety, as an important factor when considering psychological distress in breast cancer patients. Methods: A total of 157 women who visited the outpatient breast cancer clinic between October 2007 and December 2009 participated in this study. All patients that were referred to a medical oncologist were asked to complete five questionnaires (STAI, HADS, EORTC QLQ-C30, BR23, and KKSI) at baseline, three month, and six month follow up. STAI-Trait score were divided into two groups with a median cut off point (41). Then, we performed one-way ANOVA to determine the STAI-Trait scores as independent variables for possible predictors of psychological distress and low HRQOL. Results: Our response rate was 99 percent (156/157 patients). The ANOVA results showed a statistically significant difference in low role functioning, cognitive functioning, emotional functioning, social functioning, future perspective and high fatigue score, which were high STAI-Trait scores when compared to the low STAI-Trait scores (p<. 01). Patients who had a high trait anxiety were found to have a low HRQOL compared to those with a low trait anxiety. Conclusions: In conclusion, out results suggest that patients with a high trait anxiety are at risk of a low HRQOL, and trait anxiety could be used to screen and identify patients at the highest risk of experiencing psychological distress during cancer therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.