title: Risk factors for continuous distress over a 12-month period in newly diagnosed cancer outpatients.
abstract: This analysis examined demographic and medical factors associated with continuous distress in the year following cancer diagnosis. Patients completed the Distress Thermometer, Fatigue and Pain Thermometers, and anxiety and depression measures, at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12 months. A total of 480 patients were grouped into three trajectories for distress, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine risk factors associated with each symptom pattern. Females were more likely to report continuous distress. Predictors of the remaining outcomes included younger age; a diagnosis of head and neck, gastrointestinal, or prostate cancer; and receipt of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. By identifying risk factors for continuous distress, interventions can be implemented more efficiently and targeted to those who are at an elevated risk.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Calgary , Calgary , Canada.
authors.forename: Aganeta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Enns
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: Shannon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Groff
authors.forename: Barry D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Bultz
authors.forename: Tak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Linda E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Carlson
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors