Associated factors with psychological distress in Moroccan breast cancer patients: A cross-sectional study. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berhili, Soufiane; Kadiri, Selma; Bouziane, Amal; Aissa, Abdallah; Marnouche, Elamin; Ogandaga, Etienne; Echchikhi, Yassine; Touil, Asmae; Loughlimi, Hasna; Lahdiri, Ibtissam; El Majjaoui, Sanae; El Kacemi, Hanan; Kebdani, Tayeb; Benjaafar, Noureddine
• Is Part Of: Breast. Volume 31(2017)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Breast cancer -- Psychological distress -- HADS -- Distress thermometer -- Depression -- Anxiety -- Associated factors; Breast -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Breast -- Tumors -- Periodicals; Breast -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2016.10.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-9776

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of psychological distress (PD) in Moroccan breast cancer patients, and to determine clinical and social demographic factors associated with PD. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study where we included all female breast cancer patients that did not have other malignancies. Judgment criteria were based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Distress Thermometer (DT). Threshold values of 15 and 3 were fixed to detect patients on PD by the HADS and the DT, respectively. We analyzed data by calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the reliability of measurements, and by simple and multiple logistic regressions. Results: 446 women were enrolled. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.801, 0.669 and 0.639 respectively for the HADS, HAD-A and HAD-D questionnaires. 120 patients (26.9%) had a HADS global score ≥15. HAD-A and HAD-D sub-scores were ≥11 in 25 (5.6%) and 30 (6.7%) patients respectively. In multivariate analysis, adjusted for the education level, marital status, taking analgesic and/or anxiolytic treatment, and current treatment type; we found that the occurrence of a distant metastasis [OR = 14.427 p < 0.001], lack of social family support [OR = 4.631 p < 0.001], living a difficult emotional [OR = 2533 p = 0.034] and/or financial [OR = 2.09 p = 0.037] situation, and younger (<50 years) age [OR = 2.398 p = 0.002], were independent associated factors with PD as assessed by the HADS. Conclusions: Social family support, emotional and financial difficulties should be investigated in all Moroccan breast cancer patients, especially among younger ones, in order to detect those at risk of PD and offer them appropriate support. Highlights: Associated factors with psychological distress should be investigated in all breast cancer patients. Young age is independently associated with the occurrence of psychological distress. Closer social family support assessment of each breast cancer patient is recommended. Emotional and financial difficulties are frequent in Moroccan patients and are associated with psychological distress.