Post-Vaccine Era COVID-19 Pandemic-related Distress in Palliative Care Patients with Advanced Cancer
Ce dossier présente un ensemble d'articles concernant la prise en charge des cancers durant la crise sanitaire liée à la COVID-19
Context: The COVID-19 pandemic represents a source of distress in patients with advanced cancer; however, few studies have examined the extent of pandemic-related distress in the post-vaccine era.
Objectives: We conducted a cross-sectional survey to examine pandemic-related distress among patients seen by palliative care after vaccine availability.
Methods: Patients at our palliative care clinic were surveyed from April 2021 to March 2022 regarding (1) pandemic-related distress level, (2) potential contributors to pandemic-related distress, (3) coping strategies, (4) demographic factors and symptom burden. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified factors associated with pandemic-related distress.
Results: 200 patients completed the survey. 79 (40%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 33%, 46%) reported worse pandemic-related distress. Patients who reported greater distress were more likely to report worse social isolation (67 (86%) vs. 52 (43%)), staying home more often (75 (95%) vs. 95 (79%)), more negative experience staying at home (26 (33%) vs. 11 (9%)), worse stress with child-care duties (14 (19%) vs. 4 (3%)), less seeing family/friends (63 (81%) vs. 72 (60%)), and more difficulty traveling to medical appointments (27 (35%) vs. 20 (17%)). Thirty-seven patients (19%) reported more difficulty getting medical appointments. In multivariable analysis, younger age (odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99; P=0.01), worse isolation status (OR, 6.87; 95% CI, 2.76-17.12; P<0.001), and more negative attitude towards staying home (OR, 4.49; 95% CI, 1.6-12.57; P=0.004) were associated with pandemic-related distress.
Conclusions: Patients with advanced cancer continued to experience pandemic-related distress in the post-vaccine era. Our findings highlight potential opportunities to support patients.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management , article en libre accès, 2023