28 research outputs found
Frequency of Sexual Problems and Related Psychosocial Characteristics in Cancer PatientsâFindings From an Epidemiological Multicenter Study in Germany
Background: Multimodal cancer treatments are often associated with sexual problems.
Identifying patients with sexual problems could help further elucidate serious issues with
their sexuality and thus promote or maintain patientsâ sexual health. We aimed to assess
the occurrence of sexual problems in patients across different tumor locations and to
explore associated sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial factors.
Methods: We included 3,677 cancer patients (mean age 58 years, age range 18â
75 years, 51.4% women) from a large epidemiological multicenter study in Germany on
average 13.5 months after cancer diagnosis. The occurrence and frequency of sexual
problems were assessed via a binary item on the problem checklist of the Distress
Thermometer (DT). Controlled associations of these problems with sociodemographic,
medical and psychosocial factors including distress (DT), anxiety (GAD-7), depression
(PHQ-9), quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and social support (SSUK-8) are analyzed
using logistic regression analysis.
Results: We found that 31.8% of patients reported sexual problems, with a significant
higher proportion in men (40.5%) compared to women (23.7%), OR 2.35, 95% CI [1.80â
3.07] and a higher proportion in patients with a partner (35.6%) compared to those
without a partner (3.5%), OR 2.83, 95% CI [2.17â3.70]. Tumor location was associated
with occurrence of sexual problems: patients with cancer, affecting the male genital
organs had the highest chance for sexual problems, OR 2.65, 95% CI [1.18â3.95].
There was no significant difference in the occurrence of sexual problems between age
groups OR 0.99, 95% CI [2.13â3.53] and type of therapy (e.g., operation OR 0.91, 95%
CI [0.72â1.15]). Sexual problems were further associated with elevated levels of anxiety,
OR 1.05, 95% CI [1.02â1.10], less social support, OR 0.93, 95% CI [0.90â0.97] and
lower quality of life in terms of impaired functioning (e.g., social function, OR 0.99, 95%
CI [0.99â1.00]).
Conclusions: Sexual problems are commonly reported by patients. Male patients and
those living with a partner are more likely to report sexual problems. Sexual problems are
associated with different aspects of well-being. The findings imply the practical relevance
to screen for sexual problems among patients and identified groups that should be
particularly monitored
Psychosocial Long-Term Effects of Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Study Protocol of the Longitudinal AYA-LE Long-Term Effects Study
Background: About 3% of new cancer cases affect young adults aged between 15 and
39 years. The young age, the increasing incidence and the relatively good prognosis of
this population lead to the growing importance to investigate the psychosocial long-term
and late effects. The aims of the AYA-LE long-term effects study are: first, to assess
the temporal course and related factors of life satisfaction and psychological distress of
adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors; and second, to examine a specific
topic in each of the yearly surveys in a more differentiated way.
Methods: This study represents a continuation of the longitudinal AYA-LE study. The
existing sample of AYA cancer patients (t1: N = 577; t2: N = 514; aged between 18
and 39 years at diagnosis; all major tumor entities) was extended by four further survey
points (t3: 2018, t4: 2019, t5: 2020, t6: 2021). In addition, a comparison sample of young
adults without cancer was collected. We measured longitudinal data for outcomes such
as quality of life, psychological distress, and fatigue with standardized questionnaires.
Furthermore, each survey point included a different cross-sectional topic (e.g., health
behavior, occupational situation, and compliance).
Discussion: The AYA-LE long-termeffects study will show the long-termconsequences
of cancer in young adulthood. We expect at least complete data of 320 participants to
be available after the sixth survey, which will be completed in 2021. This will provide a
comprehensive and differentiated understanding of the life situation of young adults with
cancer in Germany. The findings of our study enable a continuous improvement of the
psychosocial care and specific survivorship programs for young cancer patients
Health Behavior and Associated Factors in Young Adult Cancer Patients
Objectives: Having cancer in young adulthood increases the risk of adverse long-term
health effects. These risks can be influenced by oneâs health behavior (HB). The aim of
this study is therefore to investigate the presence of health behavior in adolescents and
young adults (AYAs) and to identify associated factors.
Design: Young cancer patients (18â39 years old at time of diagnosis) were surveyed at
baseline and 12 months later via online or as a paper-pencil version.
Methods: A spectrum of indicators for HB was assessed via seven items from the
Questionnaire of Multiple Health Behavior (MHB). Multiple linear regression analyses
were conducted to determine factors associated with patientsâ HB indicators.
Results: Five-hundred and fourteen AYAs (75% women) reported the highest level of
health-conscious behavior for âavoidance of consumption of nicotine,â âfollow medical
recommendations,â and âbeing considerate in road traffic.â Less health-conscious
behavior was reported for âkeeping an appropriate and balanced dietâ and âphysical
activity.â Significant improvements from baseline to the follow-up were observed
for âregularly attending health screeningâ (Hedgesâ g = 0.44). The analyzed factors
explained up to 10% of the HB indicators. Women reported significantly more healthconscious
behavior than men in four out of seven HB indicators. Higher quality of life
(QoL) was associated with more health behavior in three out of seven HB indicators.
Conclusion: Findings show a predominantly health-conscious lifestyle in AYA
cancer patients, though we also found harmful behavior which needs to be better
approachedâe.g., through improving AYAsâ health education. AYA men should be
particularly targeted in specific prevention and health promotion measures. Future work
should identify other factors associated with HB to evaluate targets for intervention
The effects of an art education program on competencies, coping, and well-being in outpatients with cancerâResults of a prospective feasibility study
The aim of this study was to develop an art education program for ambulatory patients with cancer and to assess its feasibility and possible effects We conducted the workshops an groups of 4-8 participants A total of 23 participants completed the entire art education program Six patients dropped out but neither of them dropped out because of program length Some changes to the program were made after receiving feedback from the participants and the program length was augmented from 20 to 22 sessions Anxiety and self-confidence improved during the course of the program whereas coping and depression did not change Results suggest that art education workshops with outpatients are feasible but recruitment may be difficult especially at the beginning Based on the characteristics of the patients special attention should be paid to establish a high-level of structure to the sessions in order to provide the participants with enough safety for self-exploration and expression The creation of an object e g a book may help in this prospect as well (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserve
DAPP-BQ - Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology - Basic Questionnaire
Ostendorf F. DAPP-BQ - Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology - Basic Questionnaire. In: Geue K, StrauĂ B, BrĂ€hler E, eds. Diagnostische Verfahren in der Psychotherapie. Diagnostik fĂŒr Klinik und Praxis. Diagnostik fĂŒr Klinik und Praxis. Vol 1. 3rd ed. Göttingen: Hogrefe; 2016: 107-112
KKG â Fragebogen zur Erhebung von KontrollĂŒberzeugungen zu Krankheit und Gesundheit
Lohaus A, Schmitt GM. KKG â Fragebogen zur Erhebung von KontrollĂŒberzeugungen zu Krankheit und Gesundheit. In: Geue K, Strauss B, BrĂ€hler E, eds. Diagnostische Verfahren in der Psychotherapie. Diagnostik fĂŒr Klinik und Praxis. Vol 1. 3., ĂŒberarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. Göttingen: Hogrefe; 2016: 300-303
Frequency of Sexual Problems and Related Psychosocial Characteristics in Cancer PatientsâFindings From an Epidemiological Multicenter Study in Germany
Background: Multimodal cancer treatments are often associated with sexual problems.
Identifying patients with sexual problems could help further elucidate serious issues with
their sexuality and thus promote or maintain patientsâ sexual health. We aimed to assess
the occurrence of sexual problems in patients across different tumor locations and to
explore associated sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial factors.
Methods: We included 3,677 cancer patients (mean age 58 years, age range 18â
75 years, 51.4% women) from a large epidemiological multicenter study in Germany on
average 13.5 months after cancer diagnosis. The occurrence and frequency of sexual
problems were assessed via a binary item on the problem checklist of the Distress
Thermometer (DT). Controlled associations of these problems with sociodemographic,
medical and psychosocial factors including distress (DT), anxiety (GAD-7), depression
(PHQ-9), quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and social support (SSUK-8) are analyzed
using logistic regression analysis.
Results: We found that 31.8% of patients reported sexual problems, with a significant
higher proportion in men (40.5%) compared to women (23.7%), OR 2.35, 95% CI [1.80â
3.07] and a higher proportion in patients with a partner (35.6%) compared to those
without a partner (3.5%), OR 2.83, 95% CI [2.17â3.70]. Tumor location was associated
with occurrence of sexual problems: patients with cancer, affecting the male genital
organs had the highest chance for sexual problems, OR 2.65, 95% CI [1.18â3.95].
There was no significant difference in the occurrence of sexual problems between age
groups OR 0.99, 95% CI [2.13â3.53] and type of therapy (e.g., operation OR 0.91, 95%
CI [0.72â1.15]). Sexual problems were further associated with elevated levels of anxiety,
OR 1.05, 95% CI [1.02â1.10], less social support, OR 0.93, 95% CI [0.90â0.97] and
lower quality of life in terms of impaired functioning (e.g., social function, OR 0.99, 95%
CI [0.99â1.00]).
Conclusions: Sexual problems are commonly reported by patients. Male patients and
those living with a partner are more likely to report sexual problems. Sexual problems are
associated with different aspects of well-being. The findings imply the practical relevance
to screen for sexual problems among patients and identified groups that should be
particularly monitored
Daytime Sleepiness in Patients Diagnosed with Sarcoidosis Compared with the General Population
Background. The aim of this study was to analyze daytime sleepiness in a sample of patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Methods. A sample of 1197 German sarcoidosis patients was examined with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Fatigue Assessment Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8). The patientsâ ESS mean scores were compared with those obtained from a large general population sample. Results. Exactly 50% of the patients reached the criterion (ESSâ>â10) for excessive daytime sleepiness, compared with only 22.1% in the general population. The effect size for the mean score difference between both samples was d=0.62. The number of affected organs and the number of concomitant diseases proved to be significant independent predictors of daytime sleepiness. Sleepiness was associated with fatigue (r=0.45), anxiety (r=0.23), depression (r=0.28), sleep problems (r=0.23), and detriments in physical (r=â0.29) and mental (r=â0.28) quality of life. Conclusions. The issue of excessive daytime sleepiness should be considered in the management of sarcoidosis
Frequency of Sexual Problems and Related Psychosocial Characteristics in Cancer PatientsâFindings From an Epidemiological Multicenter Study in Germany
Background: Multimodal cancer treatments are often associated with sexual problems.
Identifying patients with sexual problems could help further elucidate serious issues with
their sexuality and thus promote or maintain patientsâ sexual health. We aimed to assess
the occurrence of sexual problems in patients across different tumor locations and to
explore associated sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial factors.
Methods: We included 3,677 cancer patients (mean age 58 years, age range 18â
75 years, 51.4% women) from a large epidemiological multicenter study in Germany on
average 13.5 months after cancer diagnosis. The occurrence and frequency of sexual
problems were assessed via a binary item on the problem checklist of the Distress
Thermometer (DT). Controlled associations of these problems with sociodemographic,
medical and psychosocial factors including distress (DT), anxiety (GAD-7), depression
(PHQ-9), quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and social support (SSUK-8) are analyzed
using logistic regression analysis.
Results: We found that 31.8% of patients reported sexual problems, with a significant
higher proportion in men (40.5%) compared to women (23.7%), OR 2.35, 95% CI [1.80â
3.07] and a higher proportion in patients with a partner (35.6%) compared to those
without a partner (3.5%), OR 2.83, 95% CI [2.17â3.70]. Tumor location was associated
with occurrence of sexual problems: patients with cancer, affecting the male genital
organs had the highest chance for sexual problems, OR 2.65, 95% CI [1.18â3.95].
There was no significant difference in the occurrence of sexual problems between age
groups OR 0.99, 95% CI [2.13â3.53] and type of therapy (e.g., operation OR 0.91, 95%
CI [0.72â1.15]). Sexual problems were further associated with elevated levels of anxiety,
OR 1.05, 95% CI [1.02â1.10], less social support, OR 0.93, 95% CI [0.90â0.97] and
lower quality of life in terms of impaired functioning (e.g., social function, OR 0.99, 95%
CI [0.99â1.00]).
Conclusions: Sexual problems are commonly reported by patients. Male patients and
those living with a partner are more likely to report sexual problems. Sexual problems are
associated with different aspects of well-being. The findings imply the practical relevance
to screen for sexual problems among patients and identified groups that should be
particularly monitored
Quality of life and associated factors after surgical treatment of vulvar cancer by vulvar field resection (VFR)
Purpose: To investigate patient-reported quality of life (QoL) and associated factors in vulvar cancer patients treated surgically by vulvar field resection (VFR) without adjuvant radiation. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patient-reported QoL as part of the prospective monocentric VFR trial using the 30-item European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) supplemented by a question assessing sexual activity. All patients had been treated by VFR and no participant had received adjuvant radiotherapy. The gynecologic cancer lymphedema questionnaire (GCLQ) was used to determine the presence of lymphedema. Structured telephone interviews were conducted to assess postoperative sequelae and long-term complications. Results: Forty-three VFR patients (median age 63 years) were available for QoL assessment. Thirty-eight (88%) had received inguinal lymph-node dissection in addition to VFR. Mean global QoL (global health status) rating among all patients was 66.1 (+/- 25.5) on a scale from 0 to 100 with higher scores indicating better QoL. Higher GCLQ scores were significantly associated with lower global QoL scores (Spearman's rank correlation rho =- 0.7, p < 0.0001). The presence of preoperative co-morbidities and postoperative wound-healing complications were also linked to reduced QoL (p < 0.01 for both). In a multivariable regression model, there was a significant interaction between preoperative co-morbidities and wound-healing complications with regard to global QoL (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Overall, VFR patients exhibit good quality of life postoperatively. The presence of lymphedema, wound-healing complications, and preoperative morbidities were associated with reduced QoL. Prospective longitudinal studies have to confirm our findings in the future