Influencing factors of treatment and prognosis perceptions among advanced cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the status and significantly influencing factors of treatment and prognosis perceptions among advanced cancer patients based on patient-reported outcome.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at two tertiary A general hospitals. From June to September 2019, 300 patients were invited and 292 of them participated in this study. Except for 9 invalid questionnaires, 283 pen-paper questionnaires including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, Chinese Version of Prognosis and Treatment Perception Questionnaire, Herth Hope Index, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were well completed. Descriptive analysis, Pearson's correlation test, logistic regression analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were applied for analysis.

Results: One hundred seventy-five (61.8%) advanced cancer patients reported inaccurate treatment perception. Prognosis perception scored 87.9 ± 13.72 indicating a middle level of prognosis perception. Fourteen (4.9%), 138 (48.8%), and 131 (46.3%) patients presented low, middle, and high prognosis perception levels, respectively. In patients, without spouse and religion beliefs, received chemoradiotherapy, diagnosed as cancer equal to or less than 1 year, and higher hope level were inaccurate treatment perception's risk factors. Younger age, longer diagnosis time, higher educational level, less support for medical expenses payment, receiving chemoradiotherapy, and lower hope level but more anxiety and depression symptoms were positive predictors of prognosis perception.

Conclusions: A majority of advanced cancer patients in this study reported inaccurate treatment and middle level of prognosis perception influencing by objective and subjective factors. Clinical interventions could be developed referring these impacting factors originating from patient-reported outcome.