Symptoms, psychological distress, and supportive care needs in lung cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the level of symptoms, psychological distress, and supportive care needs and factors related to five unmet need domains in lung cancer patients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 152 lung cancer patients at a medical center in Taiwan assessed their symptoms, psychological distress, and unmet supportive needs in five major care domains. Logistic regression was applied to examine the related factors of unmet supportive care needs.


RESULTS
In general, patients had mild-to-moderate levels of symptoms and high prevalence of psychological distress. Regardless of their treatment status, they reported high levels of supportive care needs. The top three need domains were: (1) health system and information, (2) psychological, and (3) patient care and support. Levels of symptoms, anxiety, and depression were the most significant factors in unmet supportive care needs.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of symptoms and psychological distress on unmet supportive care needs is substantial. Therefore, a systematic assessment of patients' distress and care needs is important for clinical lung cancer care. Further intervention consisting of symptom management, continuing counseling, and preparation for transition from active treatment to the follow-up stages are essential in improving quality of care.
Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yu-Chien
YC
Liao
Wei-Yu
WY
Liao
Shiow-Ching
SC
Shun
Chong-Jen
CJ
Yu
Pan-Chyr
PC
Yang
Yeur-Hur
YH
Lai
D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D013624:Taiwan