TY  - JOUR
A1  - Heß, Verena
A1  - Meng, Karin
A1  - Schulte, Thomas
A1  - Neuderth, Silke
A1  - Bengel, Jürgen
A1  - Faller, Hermann
A1  - Schuler, Michael
T1  - Decreased mental health, quality of life, and utilization of professional help in cancer patients with unexpressed needs: A longitudinal analysis
T2  - Psycho-Oncology
N2  - Background

Cancer patients' mental health and quality of life can be improved through professional support according to their needs. In previous analyses of the UNSAID study, we showed that a relevant proportion of cancer patients did not express their needs during the admission interview of inpatient rehabilitation. We now examine trajectories of mental health, quality of life, and utilization of professional help in cancer patients with unexpressed needs.

Methods

We enrolled 449 patients with breast, prostate, and colon cancer at beginning (T0) and end (T1) of a 3-week inpatient rehabilitation and 3 (T2) and 9 (T3) months after discharge. We explored depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), emotional functioning (EORTC QLQ-C30), fear of progression (FoP-Q-SF), and global quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) using structuring equation models. Furthermore, we evaluated self-reports about expressing needs and utilization of professional help at follow-up.

Results

Patients with unexpressed needs (24.3%, n = 107) showed decreased mental health compared to other patients (e.g., depression: d T0 = 0.32, d T1-T3 = 0.39). They showed a significant decline in global quality of life at discharge and follow-up (d = 0.28). Furthermore, they had a higher need for support (Cramer's V T2 = 0.10, T3 = 0.15), talked less about their needs (Cramer’s V T2 = 0.18), and made less use of different health care services at follow-up.

Conclusion

Unexpressed needs in cancer patients may be a risk factor for decreased mental health, quality of life, and non-utilization of professional help in the long term. Further research should clarify causal relationships and focus on this specific group of patients to improve cancer care.
KW  - cancer
KW  - longitudinal decrease
KW  - mental health
KW  - psycho-oncology
KW  - quality of life
KW  - unexpressed needs
Y1  - 2022
UR  - https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/25766
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-257662
VL  - 31
IS  - 5
ER  -