Article
Fear of progression in patients with new diagnosed brain tumours and their caregivers
Progredienzangst bei Patienten mit neu diagnostizierten Hirntumoren und ihren Angehörigen
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Authors
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Marion Rapp
- Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Department of Neurosurgery, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
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Anna-Maria Kisic
- Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
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Caterina Quente
- Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Department of Neurosurgery, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
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Marcel A. Kamp
- Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Department of Neurosurgery, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
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Michael Sabel
- Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Department of Neurosurgery, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
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Peter Richter
- Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
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Andre Karger
- Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| Published: | June 4, 2021 |
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Outline
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Objective: Despite therapeutic progress resulting in increased survival data, tumor recurrence is unavoidable. Fear of progression (FoP) refers to specific anxiety or concern about the recurrence or progression. Moderate to severe FoP are reported in 49% of patients and affects their QoL. Caregivers are also at risk for psychological distress. But less in known about FoP in brain tumor patients and the impact on their caregivers.
Methods: Since July 2019 consecutively all patients (n = 158) with a new diagnosed brain tumor and their caregivers were asked to participate in a survey. FoP (Progression Anxiety-Questionnaire), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), psychological distress (Distress Thermometer, (DT) was assessed direct (T0), 3 months (T1) and 6 months (T2) postoperatively. Quality of life was assessed using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 and -B20. Psychological burden of patients and caregivers as well as group differences were calculated.
Results: Seventy-one patients and caregivers could be included. Regarding DT, caregivers indicate a significant higher distress level postoperatively (p = .002). This was reflected in the HADS (p < .001). This observation was also reflected in the FoP with significant increased levels of anxiety (p = .028). A significant positive correlation between the patients’ and caregivers’ expression of FoP could be demonstrated (p < .001). Three months later, patients distress level did not change significantly (p = .529), but caregivers show a significant decreased DT level (p = .037). HADS as well as FoP assessment remained stable at T1 for patients and caregivers. Nevertheless, caregivers were significantly more stressed that patients (p = .003).
Conclusion: Our analyses clearly demonstrate higher psychological burden for caregivers and a positive correlation of patients - caregivers levels of FoP, regardless of the survey point. These data underline the importance to offer further psychooncological support not only to the patients but also to the caregivers in the early phase of tumor therapy.
