Predictors of distress and poorer quality of life in High Grade Glioma patients

Georgia K B Halkett; Elizabeth A Lobb; Michelle M Rogers; Thérèse Shaw; Anne P Long; Helen R Wheeler; Anna K Nowak

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2015.01.002

Predictors of distress and poorer quality of life in High Grade Glioma patients

Patient Educ Couns. 2015 Apr;98(4):525-32. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.01.002. Epub 2015 Jan 14.

Authors

Georgia K B Halkett¹, Elizabeth A Lobb², Michelle M Rogers³, Thérèse Shaw⁴, Anne P Long⁵, Helen R Wheeler⁶, Anna K Nowak⁷

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: g.halkett@curtin.edu.au.
² Calvary Health Care Kogarah and Cunningham Centre for Palliative Care, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
³ School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
⁴ Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
⁵ Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
⁶ Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁷ Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

PMID: 25638306
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.01.002

Abstract

Objective: To determine High Grade Glioma (HGG) patients' levels of distress and QOL during combined chemoradiotherapy, explore predictors of distress and QOL and prioritize patients' supportive care needs.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with HGG who were referred for combined chemoradiotherapy were recruited. Participants completed demographics and questionnaires assessing distress, function, and supportive care needs. Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, t-tests and linear and logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results: 116 participants completed the questionnaire. Participants scored lower for QOL in physical, functional and emotional domains than the general Australian population. Poor physical function, lower education levels, loss of employment and financial impact associated with diagnosis were consistently linked with multiple domains of distress, poor QOL and high unmet needs. Having a carer who was their partner predicted lower emotional well-being.

Conclusion: Patients with HGG experience a poor QOL, increased levels of distress and high unmet needs when commencing chemoradiotherapy. Patients who experience a financial impact and those with lower education levels may report higher levels of distress and increased unmet needs.

Practice implications: Poor function, lower education and limited financial resources may help identify those who require additional screening and may benefit from additional information and psychological support at this time.

Keywords: Distress; High Grade Glioma; Quality of life; Questionnaire; Supportive care needs.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Australia
Caregivers / psychology
Chemoradiotherapy
Emotions
Female
Glioma / psychology*
Glioma / therapy
Health Care Surveys
Health Services Accessibility
Health Services Needs and Demand
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Needs Assessment / statistics & numerical data
Neoplasm Staging
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Quality of Life*
Severity of Illness Index
Social Support*
Stress, Psychological / etiology
Stress, Psychological / psychology*
Surveys and Questionnaires