Psychological state and trait correlates of quality of life prior to radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Abstract

129 Background: Improvement in cancer treatment has increased need to focus on survivors’ quality of life (QOL). Survivors often experience psychological stress, with impact on QOL and disease-related mortality. Better understanding the heterogeneity in individuals’ psychological adjustment to cancer diagnosis and treatment may help identify the most valid screening practices and patients most in need of psychosocial support. The specific aim of the current study investigates correlates of psychological state and trait with QOL prior to radiotherapy for localized non-metastatic prostate cancer. We hypothesized 1) positive correlations with QOL and trait Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness, and 2) negative correlations between QOL and state depression/anxiety and trait Neuroticism. Methods: The PHQ-9, GAD-7, and NEO-FFI-3 assessed depressive state, anxiety state, and personality traits, respectively. The FACT-P assessed physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being. Our sample (n=29) had median age of 68 (range 52-79) and education of 16 years (range 10-20). Race/ethnicity: 89% European-American, 4% African-American, 7% Other. Association between constructs was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Higher depression, anxiety, and Neuroticism were negatively associated with physical (p < 0.04), emotional (p < 0.01), and functional (p < 0.02) well-being, and well-being related to prostate cancer-specific concerns (p < 0.01). Trait Agreeableness was associated with emotional (p < 0.01) and functional (p < 0.01) well-being. Extraversion was associated with social (p < 0.05) and functional (p < 0.02) well-being. Openness was associated with functional well-being only (p < 0.03). Contrary to hypothesis, Conscientiousness did not significantly correlate with any measured aspect of QOL. Conclusions: Assessing psychological risk and protective factors prior to radiotherapy may help identify patients in most need of psychosocial supports, informing effective screening protocols and individualized treatment planning. Future directions include prospectively measuring predictive value of baseline risk and protective factors on post-treatment QOL.