Acute and chronic cancer-related distress among multiple myeloma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors

null

Jenny Ahlstrom

HealthTree Foundation, Lehi, UT

Jenny Ahlstrom , Thomas H. Molina , Nathan W. Sweeney

Organizations

HealthTree Foundation, Lehi, UT

Research Funding

Other
Private donations

Background: Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are uniquely susceptible to viral and bacterial illnesses. In addition, MM and its treatments lead to immune deficiency, putting patients at a high risk for infection, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The emotional impact of COVID-19 on high-risk groups, such as MM patients, remains unclear. The purpose of this project was to understand psychosocial distress and unmet needs among patients with active MM during the acute and chronic phase of COVID-19 and its impact in the United States. Methods: We utilized the HealthTree Cure Hub (healthtree.org) and invited patients with active MM cancer or precursor conditions to participate in an online CancerSupportSource distress screening questionnaire by the Cancer Support Community. Participants were asked to rate their level of concern (Not at All to Very Seriously) on 12 items assessing physical, psychosocial, and practical needs during the acute and chronic phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. De-identified responses were aggregated and reviewed. Results: 1,079 MM patients analyzed during the acute phase of the pandemic (April 15, 2020, to June 8, 2020) and 246 were analyzed during the chronic phase (January 8, 2021, to February 12, 2021). The percent of patients responding moderately to very seriously concerned are reported here. While eating and nutrition increased 3% from acute (71%) to chronic (74%) phases, physical needs overall decreased 2%. Psychosocial needs (worrying about the future, family concerns, feeling irritable, sad, nervous, or lonely, and relationship concerns) decreased 4% between the two phases, despite the 2% increase in problems with your spouse/partner. Additionally, practical needs (health insurance or money worries) decreased 4% between the acute and chronic phases of the pandemic. Conclusions: Respondents to our survey maintain a concern for eating and nutrition during the acute and chronic phases of the pandemic. Between the three types of needs examined in this survey, physical needs had the smallest change over time. This information can inform patients and medical professionals of the type of distress experienced by patients and help investigators assess the needs of the patient community to enhance patient outcomes.

ConcernsAcuteChronic
Eating and nutrition71%74%
Sleep problems49%48%
Pain and/or physical discomfort46%39%
Worrying about the future and what lies ahead46%42%
Family, children and/or friends44%35%
Feeling too tired to do the things you need or want to do44%41%
Feeling irritable37%32%
Health insurance or money worries32%28%
Feeling sad or depressed30%24%
Feeling nervous or afraid25%22%
Feeling lonely or isolated20%17%
Problems in your relationship with your spouse/partner11%13%

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

2021 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Hematologic Malignancies—Plasma Cell Dyscrasia

Track

Hematologic Malignancies

Sub Track

Multiple Myeloma

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 15; abstr e20025)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.e20025

Abstract #

e20025

Abstract Disclosures

Similar Abstracts

Abstract

2021 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Fear of COVID-19: Effects on mental health in under-resourced patients with cancer.

First Author: Valerie Lawhon

First Author: Mark Liu