Caregiver and patient distress in young adults with new cancer diagnoses.

Authors

Laura Baum

Laura Van Metre Baum

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Laura Van Metre Baum , Emma Schremp , Scott C. Borinstein , Debra L. Friedman

Organizations

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University Medical Center/Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN

Research Funding

Other
Impact Grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels

Background: A cancer diagnosis is stressful for both patients and caregivers, and there may be interdependence of mental health. Integration of caregivers into support for AYAO patients may improve outcomes. Methods: We enrolled dyads of AYAO patients (age 15-39) and their caregivers within the first month of treatment. Eligible patients were treated with curative intent or expected remission of at least 5 years. We assessed participants at baseline using validated self-reported survey methods, including the COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST), Impacts of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), Adult Self-Report (ASR), NCCN Distress Thermometer and Problem List, and FACT-G and FACT-GP instruments. Results: We enrolled 13 dyads with patient age range 22 to 39 (median 29) years with 60% male patients and 30% male caregivers. Median scores for the NCCN Distress Thermometer were 5.0 for patients (sd 2.9) and caregivers (sd 2.4), with a score of 3 consistent with significant distress. On the Problem List, greater than half of both patients and caregivers reported “yes” to problems with “insurance/financial,”“work/school,”“treatment decisions,”“fears,”“sadness,”“worry,” and “fatigue,” and independently with “family health issues” and “work/school,” respectively. Median patient FACT-G summary score was 78, with median sub-scale scores (27.5 social, 19.5 functional, 17.5 emotional, 15.5 physical). Likewise, median caregiver FACT-GP score was 58 with sub-scale scores (20 physical, 20 functional, 15 social, 10 emotional), with higher scores indicating better quality of life. COST median scores were 12 for patients (sd 9) and caregivers (sd 7), where max score 44 indicates least financial toxicity. IES-R median patient and caregiver scores were 16 (sd 16) and 46 (sd 26), respectively, with scores >24 concerning for PTSS. In contrast, median patient and caregiver ASR depression and anxiety sub-scales were not in the range for concern. Conclusions: Diagnosis is a critical moment of distress for caregivers and patients alike. Effective interventions are needed to alleviate acute suffering and to improve short-term psychological and financial wellbeing for both caregivers and patients. Such outcomes may translate to longer-term benefit. As we continue to accrue dyads, we will follow them over 6 months to assess changes in distress pattern over time and identify the critical time periods for intervention.

Disclaimer

This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org

Abstract Details

Meeting

2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Symptoms and Survivorship

Track

Symptom Science and Palliative Care

Sub Track

Psychosocial and Communication Research

Citation

J Clin Oncol 38: 2020 (suppl; abstr e24165)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.e24165

Abstract #

e24165

Abstract Disclosures

Similar Abstracts

First Author: Melissa P Beauchemin

Abstract

2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program

Mental distress among adolescent and young adult (AYA) and adult cancer survivors.

First Author: Eric Adjei Boakye