Abstract
Background/Aim: A recommendation of radiotherapy for patients with malignant gliomas may trigger emotional distress. Frequency and risk factors of this complication were investigated. Patients and Methods: Prevalence of six emotional problems and 11 potential risk factors were evaluated in 103 patients irradiated for grade II-IV gliomas. p-Values <0.0045 were considered significant. Results: Seventy-six patients (74%) had ≥1 emotional problem. Prevalence of specific emotional problems ranged between 23% and 63%. Associations were found between ≥5 physical problems and worry (p=0.0010), fear (p=0.0001), sadness (p=0.0023), depression (p=0.0006), and loss of interest (p=0.0006), and Karnofsky performance score ≤80 and depression (p=0.0002). Trends were found for physical problems and nervousness (p=0.040), age ≥60 years and depression (p=0.043) or loss of interest (p=0.045), grade IV glioma and sadness (p=0.042), and ≥2 involved sites and loss of interest (p=0.022). Conclusion: Three-fourths of glioma patients had pre-radiotherapy emotional distress. Psychological support should be offered very soon, particularly for high-risk patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | In Vivo |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1198-1204 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| ISSN | 0258-851X |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 05.2023 |
Research Areas and Centers
- Research Area: Luebeck Integrated Oncology Network (LION)
- Centers: University Cancer Center Schleswig-Holstein (UCCSH)
DFG Research Classification Scheme
- 2.22-14 Hematology, Oncology
- 2.22-33 Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiobiology
- 1.22-05 Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
