TY - JOUR
T1 - Predicting anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients
AU - van den Brekel, Lieke
AU - van der Baan, Frederieke H
AU - Zweers, Danielle
AU - Koldenhof, José J
AU - Vos, J Bernard H
AU - de Graeff, Alexander
AU - Witteveen, Petronella O
AU - Teunissen, Saskia C C M
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
PY - 2020/9
Y1 - 2020/9
N2 - Context: Anxiety in patients with cancer is highly prevalent; yet it remains underestimated and inadequately assessed. Little is known about predictors for anxiety in hospitalized patients with cancer. Insight in predictors should improve recognition and enable a targeted approach. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and predictors for anxiety in hospitalized patients with cancer at different stages of disease. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of patients with cancer admitted to the Utrecht University Medical Center in 2015–2018 was conducted. The Utrecht Symptom Diary, an adapted Dutch version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, was used to assess symptom burden on a numeric rating scale (0 = no symptom and 10 = worst possible symptom). Scores ≥4 were considered clinically relevant. All patients completed the Utrecht Symptom Diary as part of routine care. The first questionnaire after admission was selected. Using multivariable linear regression, the predictive value of potential predictors on anxiety was analyzed. Results: In total, 2144 patients were included, of which 22% reported clinically relevant anxiety. The prevalence of anxiety was highest (36%) in patients receiving symptom-directed palliation only. In the total group, female gender, younger age, depressed mood, sleeping problems, dyspnea, and cancer of the head and neck were predictive of anxiety. Throughout all stages of disease, depressed mood was consistently the strongest predictor. Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of anxiety in hospitalized patients with cancer. It is recommended to explore anxiety in hospitalized patients with cancer, in particular when they experience depressed mood. Structural use of a symptom diary during hospitalization facilitates the recognition of anxiety and concurrent symptoms.
AB - Context: Anxiety in patients with cancer is highly prevalent; yet it remains underestimated and inadequately assessed. Little is known about predictors for anxiety in hospitalized patients with cancer. Insight in predictors should improve recognition and enable a targeted approach. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and predictors for anxiety in hospitalized patients with cancer at different stages of disease. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of patients with cancer admitted to the Utrecht University Medical Center in 2015–2018 was conducted. The Utrecht Symptom Diary, an adapted Dutch version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, was used to assess symptom burden on a numeric rating scale (0 = no symptom and 10 = worst possible symptom). Scores ≥4 were considered clinically relevant. All patients completed the Utrecht Symptom Diary as part of routine care. The first questionnaire after admission was selected. Using multivariable linear regression, the predictive value of potential predictors on anxiety was analyzed. Results: In total, 2144 patients were included, of which 22% reported clinically relevant anxiety. The prevalence of anxiety was highest (36%) in patients receiving symptom-directed palliation only. In the total group, female gender, younger age, depressed mood, sleeping problems, dyspnea, and cancer of the head and neck were predictive of anxiety. Throughout all stages of disease, depressed mood was consistently the strongest predictor. Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of anxiety in hospitalized patients with cancer. It is recommended to explore anxiety in hospitalized patients with cancer, in particular when they experience depressed mood. Structural use of a symptom diary during hospitalization facilitates the recognition of anxiety and concurrent symptoms.
KW - Anxiety
KW - cancer
KW - depressive symptoms
KW - hospice care
KW - hospital care
KW - palliative care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85084704768&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.005
DO - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 32305577
SN - 0885-3924
VL - 60
SP - 522-530.e1
JO - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
JF - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
IS - 3
ER -