Quality of life and psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer and pain

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of depression was found to be higher in cancer patients with severe pain. This study aimed to further understanding of the relationship by examining the psychological distress symptoms on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Method: The sample included 125 patients with advanced cancer and pain (82% reported moderate to severe pain, according to VAS) admitted to a palliative setting. The Symptom Distress Checklist (SCL-90) for psychological distress and the WHOQOL-BREF for HRQoL were used. Findings: The patients studied, scored high on certain SCL-90 dimensions such as Depression, Sleep Disturbances and Thoughts of Death. Depression measured by the SCL-90 has strong associations with Physical, Psychological and Environment HRQoL. Statistically significant effects were also detected for Guilt, Obsessive-Compulsive, Paranoid Ideation and Interpersonal Sensitivity symptoms on certain domains of WHOQOL. Results were in all cases not influenced by the pain severity, metastasis, type of cancer, disease duration or any socio-demographic differences among patients. Discussion: These findings suggest that psychiatric manifestations are increased in patients with advanced cancer and pain and that focused psychological interventions could improve patients' HRQoL.