Psychological distress among cancer patients and its association with physical health factors
Psychological distress among cancer patients and its association with physical health factors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1243/ke3n3215Keywords:
Distress, Physical health, Cancer patients, Psycho-oncology, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology HospitalAbstract
The present study aimed to assess the level of psychological distress among cancer patients using the Distress Thermometer (Distress Thermometer Tool Translations, 2023), and to examine the associations between physical health problems and psychological distress in patients receiving treatment at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital Branch 2. A cross-sectional design was employed with 164 cancer patients under treatment from June to September 2024, using a structured questionnaire. The mean distress score was 4.13 ± 2.82, indicating a moderate level of psychological distress in the study sample. Importantly, the study found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) showing that higher perceived pain intensity was associated with higher levels of psychological distress. Patients who reported changes in sleep habits, persistent insomnia for ≥ 1 week, changes in eating patterns, fatigue and tiredness, numbness or pain in the extremities, or changes or loss in physical functioning also showed higher levels of psychological distress compared with those without these problems.
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