Psychosocial Distress Among Cancer Patients: A single Institution Experience at the State of Qatar

Abstract Introduction The prevalence of psychosocial distress is up to 45% among cancer patients. It is crucial to identify and treat distress. The aim of the study is to report on the prevalence of distress among cancer patients, analyze the variable causes of distress and to study the effect of the disease stage using the Distress Thermometer. Methods We studied distress among 3 groups, each consisting of 100 patients: those initially diagnosed, patients undergoing treatment, and patients who were referred to the palliative team. Different variables such as time of screening, sex, age, nationality, and tumor type were analyzed.Results There was an overall distress incidence of 62% (level ≥ 4) and out of that 17% of the patients had severe distress (level >7). Similarly, there was 75% of distress among patients who were referred to palliative care, compared to 56% of patients at initial diagnosis and 54% for those undergoing cancer treatments. In addition, women (69%) had more distress (53%). Expatriates had high distress, compared to Qataris (64.3% versus 51%). Breast (69%) and lung (70%) cancer patients had the highest level of distress. Physical causes of distress were the most common followed by emotional causes.Conclusion There is a substantially higher overall incidence of distress among cancer patients in Qatar. Distress should be assessed in patients at cancer diagnosis and at the time of disease progression. Screening alone isn’t enough, the different causes of distress should be identified and addressed by the appropriate interventions.