Predictors of Emotional and Physical Symptoms Reported by Cancer Patients

Abstract

This study assessed the association between anxiety/depression (AD) and physical symptoms reported by cancer patients in chemotherapy. Patients were assessed for distress (Distress Thermometer), AD (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), quality of life (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-General) and symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale). The linear regression was used to identify factors associated with AD. Seventy-three patients (65.8% female, 58.9% low educational level and 83.6% advanced stage) were included. Sleep, breathing, pain, fatigue, physical and emotional well-being were predictors of AD. The prevalence of anxiety (20.5%) was lower than that described in the literature and of the depression symptoms (17.8%) was equivalent. The results underscore the importance of a therapeutic plan for targeting these risk factors.