Predictors of emotional distress in patients with head and neck cancer
Corresponding Author
Susanne Singer PhD
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorOliver Krauß PhD
Park-Krankenhaus Leipzig-Südost, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorJudith Keszte MSc
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorGregor Siegl BA
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorKirsten Papsdorf MD
Department of Radiation–Oncology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorEttore Severi MSc
Health Protection Agency, South East Regional Office, London, United Kingdom
Search for more papers by this authorJohann Hauss MD
Department of Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorSusanne Briest MD
Department of Gynecology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAndreas Dietz MD
Department of Laryngo-Rhino-Otology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorElmar Brähler PhD
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorRolf-Dieter Kortmann MD
Department of Radiation–Oncology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Susanne Singer PhD
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorOliver Krauß PhD
Park-Krankenhaus Leipzig-Südost, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorJudith Keszte MSc
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorGregor Siegl BA
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorKirsten Papsdorf MD
Department of Radiation–Oncology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorEttore Severi MSc
Health Protection Agency, South East Regional Office, London, United Kingdom
Search for more papers by this authorJohann Hauss MD
Department of Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorSusanne Briest MD
Department of Gynecology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAndreas Dietz MD
Department of Laryngo-Rhino-Otology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorElmar Brähler PhD
Departments of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorRolf-Dieter Kortmann MD
Department of Radiation–Oncology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background
Patients with head and neck cancer are known to be more commonly emotionally distressed than patients with other tumors. This study investigates reasons for this difference.
Methods
Patients in this prospective cohort study included those with head and neck cancer (n = 113) and those with other cancers (n = 1690). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, measuring emotional distress, along with additional questions regarding emotional support wished and provided were administered.
Results
Patients with head and neck tumors were 1.5-fold (at the time of admission), 1.2-fold (before discharge), and 2.7-fold (half a year after admission) more frequently distressed than the other patients with cancer. This association was confounded by perceived social support and sociodemographic factors. Patients with head and neck cancer expressed less frequently the wish for and received less support by psycho-oncologists.
Conclusions
Emotional distress is more common in patients with head and neck tumors; this is largely a result of the psychosocial context the patients live in, especially the amount of social support received. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
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