title: Patient Preferences for Management of Cystic Neoplasms of the Pancreas: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine how patient anxiety, knowledge, and cancer worry influence preferences for management of pancreatic cysts.
  
  
  
  We performed a prospective, cross-sectional study using a disease-specific survey instrument. We included patients older than 18 years who were diagnosed with a pancreatic cyst. A telephone survey instrument was developed to assess baseline anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), knowledge regarding pancreatic cysts, cancer worry, and patient preferences using a standard gamble.
  
  
  
  Of the 100 studied participants (median age, 65 years; 72% women), median Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score was 4 (normal range). In terms of knowledge, 96% of the patients were not aware of their specific cyst type, and 58% were unaware of the possibility of any cyst-related malignancy. Overall, 8% of respondents had some degree of cancer worry. Respondents were more willing to undergo magnetic resonance imaging surveillance compared with endoscopic ultrasound or surgery. Knowledge of cyst type was a significant predictor of willingness to undergo invasive testing.
  
  
  
  There is a significant gap in patient knowledge with respect to pancreatic cysts. Greater emphasis on patient education can help patients make informed decisions regarding cyst management.
authors.affiliation: From the Center for Pancreatic Care, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Dhruv
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Karl K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: Bechien U
authors.initials: BU
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires