Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among young adult cancer patients in Japan

This study aimed (1) to examine the prevalence of psychological distress among AYA cancer patients within a year of diagnosis to long-term survivors and (2) to describe socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics associated with psychological distress.METHODS: In a cross-sectional web-based survey, patients who scored 5 or more on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale were assessed for significant psychological distress. Logistic regression examined whether demographics, clinical variables, and social support were associated with psychological distress.RESULTS: A total of 206 young adult cancer patients participated. The median age at the survey was 34.5 years (range: 22-39 years), and 87.4% were female. The prevalence of psychological distress was 55.3%. Psychological distress among patients diagnosed within a year and long-term survivors (≥10 years since diagnosis) was significantly higher than patients 1-4 years since diagnosis. Pain, decrease in income after a cancer diagnosis, experience of negative change in work/school after a cancer diagnosis and poor social support were significantly associated with psychological distress.SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Over half of young adult patients had significant psychological distress in Japan. Our findings potentially contribute to the intervention components for distress management among AYA cancer survivors.PMID:35225198 | DOI:10.1017/S1478951521002054
Source: Palliative and Supportive Care - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Source Type: research