Relationship between uncertainty and emotions in advanced lung cancer patients after initial therapy

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated the relationship between uncertainty and emotions in advanced lung cancer patients after initial therapy. Methods: Fourteen advanced lung cancer patients participated in this study. A survey was conducted using the Universal Uncertainty in Illness Scale (UUIS) and the Profile of Mood States-Brief Form (POMS-Brief Form), Japanese Version. Results: The total UUIS score of each participant ranged from 42 to 109, with a mean ±SD of 70.7±20.9. The T-scores for the 6 factors of the POMS-BriefFormwere 50.2±11.9 (mean SD) for tension-anxiety (T-A); 49.6±12.2 for depression-dejection (D); 40.4±4.9 for anger-hostility (A-H); 41.8±9.3 for vigor (V); 44.2±5.8 for fatigue (F); and 52.7±15.2 for confusion (C). In terms of the correlation between the total UUIS score and the respective T-scores of the six POMS-Brief Form factors, a strong correlation was seen between total UUIS score and D (r=0.735, p=0.003). A substantial correlation was also seen between total UUIS score and T-A (r=0.694, p=0.006). Conclusions: In advanced lung cancer patients after initial therapy, uncertainty had an effect on emotions.