TY - JOUR
T1 - Postvaccine Era COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Distress in Palliative Care Patients With Advanced Cancer
AU - Shih, Kaoswi K.
AU - Arechiga, Adrienne B.
AU - Chen, Xi
AU - Urbauer, Diana L.
AU - De Moraes, Aline Rozman
AU - Rodriguez, Ashley J.
AU - Thomas, Lisa
AU - Stanton, Penny A.
AU - Bruera, Eduardo
AU - Hui, David
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023
PY - 2023/10
Y1 - 2023/10
N2 - 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 postvaccine 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: A total of 200 patients completed the survey. Of 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 postvaccine era. Our findings highlight potential opportunities to support patients.
AB - 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 postvaccine 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: A total of 200 patients completed the survey. Of 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 postvaccine era. Our findings highlight potential opportunities to support patients.
KW - COVID-19
KW - distress
KW - palliative care
KW - pandemic
KW - social isolation
KW - spiritual
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.06.028
DO - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.06.028
M3 - Article
C2 - 37394198
AN - SCOPUS:85165058757
SN - 0885-3924
VL - 66
SP - 328-337.e2
JO - Journal of pain and symptom management
JF - Journal of pain and symptom management
IS - 4
ER -