Relationships among financial distress, emotional symptoms, and overall distress in insured cancer patients.

Abstract

6540 Background: Cancer care can be a financial burden, even among those with insurance. Overall Distress (OvDis) in cancer patients (pts) may be caused by many factors including Emotional Symptoms (EmSx). We examined the degree to which Financial Distress (FinDis) affected both OvDis and EmSx. Methods: We surveyed pts from medical oncology clinics about demographics, clinical information and the InCharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale (range 1-10, lower scores indicating greater FinDis). Overall distress (OvDis) was measured using the NCCN distress thermometer (DT) (range 0-10, higher scores worse). As part of the DT, pts also responded to a list of symptoms including EmSx(i.e. depression, anxiety). We used linear regression and ANOVA to investigate potential pathways linking FinDis, EmSx and OvDis. Accrual is ongoing. Results: Of 60 pts recruited, median age was 64 years (34-85), 53% were male, 32% were working, 28% had self reported annual income >$100,000, 100% were insured, 69% had pri...