Assessment of psychological responses in patients about to receive radiotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
Radiotherapy is considered to be associated with psychological distress. We assessed the mental status, anxiety, and the factors associated with these in cancer patients about to receive radiotherapy.


METHODS
Hospitalized patients about to receive radiotherapy participated. Psychological status was assessed by a psychiatrist, based on interview about the type of anxiety related to cancer or radiotherapy as well as self-rating questionnaires.


RESULTS
Eligible data were collected from 94 patients. The incidence of mental disorders was 20%. The total mood disturbance scores were significantly higher in patients with poor performance status. The most common type of anxiety regarding radiotherapy was acute adverse effect, and the predictors were palliative treatment and living alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Mental disorders, mood disturbance, and anxiety in patients cannot be neglected in radiation oncology practice. Especially careful attention should be paid to patients with these predictive factors.
Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.
Kumiko
K
Karasawa
Naoshi
N
Horikawa
Eri
E
Kawase
Kaori
K
Seki
Mari
M
Kohno
Hirofumi
H
Shinoda
Sachiko
S
Nasu
Hiroyuki
H
Muramatsu
Katsuya
K
Maebayashi
Norio
N
Mitsuhashi
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000523:psychology*