Prevalence and determinants of distress among oncology patients at a tertiary care medical city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
=======================================================================================================================

* Luluh Y. Alsughayer
* Lamees A. Altamimi
* Futoon S. Alsaleh
* Lamya Alsaghan
* Ibrahim Alfurayh
* Nashwa M. Abdel-Aziz
* Khalid A. Alsaleh
* Fahad D. Alosaimi

## Abstract

**Objectives:** To estimate the prevalence of distress in patients with cancer in Saudi Arabia and to identify common psychosocial stressors in these patients. We also looked for associations between distress and psychological, sociodemographic, and medical factors.

**Methods:** This cross-sectional study was performed in the oncology outpatient clinic at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2018 to December 2019. It included 280 patients with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or lymphoma. Sociodemographic information was collected using questionnaire, along with information on medical history and any psychiatric history. Distress was assessed using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List. Satisfaction with social support was rated using the visual analog scale. All patients were screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item depression scale and anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale.

**Results:** The prevalence of distress in our study population was found to be 46%. Distress was associated with several practical, family, emotional, and physical stressors in the problem list. Logistic regression identified predictors of distress to be anxiety (odds ratio [OR] 8.7, confidence interval [CI] 1.98-38.24, *p*=0.002) and receiving radiotherapy (OR 3.6, CI 1.33-9.99, *p*=0.009), while Saudi nationality (OR 0.22, CI 0.05-0.95, *p*=0.037) and stage I cancer (OR 0.18, CI 0.05-1.40, *p*=0.002) were associated with low distress.

**Conclusion:** Approximately half of cancer patients were found to have distress. Anxiety, advanced cancer stage, and radiotherapy were independently associated with distress.

*   prevalence
*   distress
*   cancer
*   oncology
*   Saudi Arabia

**O**ncology patients are particularly vulnerable to distress and a myriad of psychosocial morbidity. The revised guidelines published by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in 2020 define distress as “a multifactorial unpleasant experience of a psychological (such as, cognitive, behavioral, emotional), social, spiritual, or physical nature that may interfere with one’s ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms, and its treatment. Distress extends along a continuum, ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness, and fears to problems that can become disabling, such as depression, anxiety, panic, social isolation, and existential and spiritual crisis.”1

Distress is common in patients with cancer. One study reported that approximately 30%-43% of these patients experience some form of distress during their cancer journey.2 Nevertheless, it has been estimated that less than 30% of oncology patients with psychosocial issues are identified.3 Therefore, relatively few affected patients receive appropriate assessment and intervention. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there were 82,640 oncology patients in Saudi Arabia in 5 years.4 However, little research attention has been paid to the prevalence of distress in this large group of patients. Recognizing the magnitude of the problem is important for development of patient support services and training of health care professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of distress in patients with cancer and the most common stressors in this group. We also explored the association between distress and psychological, sociodemographic, and medical factors with a view to improving early detection and implementing an intervention strategy.

## Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed between January 2018 and December 2019 in the oncology outpatient clinic at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of Medicine at King Saud University (project E-17-2769). Trained data collectors and nurses screened patients for distress as they attended clinic appointments. Two hundred and eighty were enrolled in the study by convenience sampling.

Inclusion criteria involves patients with the most encountered types of cancer (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lymphoma), excluding those <15 years old. All patients signed an informed consent form.

Sociodemographic data were collected by questionnaire, along with information on medical history and any self-reported psychiatric history. Distress was evaluated using the distress thermometer (DT) and problem list (PL). Satisfaction with social support was scored on a 10-mm visual analog scale (VAS). All patients were screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) and for anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7).

The DT was created by the NCCN to screen for distress in oncology patients. This tool measures distress on 0 to 10 scale, with higher values indicating more distress. The DT also includes a PL designed to identify possible sources of distress in 5 areas (practical problems, family problems, emotional problems, spiritual or religious concerns, and physical problems). We used the validated Arabic version of the DT, with a cut-off value of ≥4 indicating distress.5 The PHQ is widely used to screen for psychiatric disorders. The Arabic version of the PHQ was found to be valid and reliable in screening for many psychiatric disorders, including depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7).6 Both the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are highly specific and sensitive for detection of depression and anxiety at a cut-off score >10. Cut off points of 5, 10, and 15 represent mild, moderate, and severe anxiety on the GAD-7, similar to levels of depression on the PHQ-9.7,8 Patients’ satisfaction with social support was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The VAS is a 10 mm line with anchor statements on the left (extremely dissatisfied) and on the right (very satisfied). The patient is asked to mark their level of satisfaction towards social support on the line, resembling a score of 0 to 10. A VAS cut-off of 8 was estimated by the 75% quartile and considered ‘satisfied’.

Continuous variables are reported as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as proportion. The Student’s t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to evaluate continuous variables and the Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact to examine the categorical data. Significant variables (*p*<0.05) in univariate analysis were included in a logistic regression model to identify predictors of severe distress. All tests were 2-sided and a *p*-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant in the logistic regression model. The statistical analysis were performed using JMP Pro software version 14.0 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA).

Literature review was performed using the keywords including “distress” and “cancer” through Pubmed and Google Scholar. References of retrieved articles were then schemed for more publications relevant to our study.

## Results

Of the 280 patients (103 male, 177 female) who agreed to participate in the study, 129 were distressed (scored ≥4 on the DT). The prevalence of distress was found to be 46%. The distribution of DT scores is shown in Figure 1.

![Figure 1](http://smj.org.sa/https://smj.org.sa/content/smj/42/7/761/F1.medium.gif)

[Figure 1](http://smj.org.sa/content/42/7/761/F1)

Figure 1 
- Distribution of distress scores among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia (N=280).

Baseline characteristics and demographic data are provided in Table 1. Distressed patients (DT score ≥4) were predominantly female (71%), had a mean age of 51.1 ± 12.6 years *p*=0.009), and were more likely to be Saudi nationals (*p*=0.001) and householders (*p*=0.05). Distress was prevalent most in patients with breast cancer (n=66, 51%), followed by colon cancer (n=45, 35%), and lymphoma (n=18, 14%).

View this table:
[Table 1](http://smj.org.sa/content/42/7/761/T1)

Table 1 
- Baseline sociodemographic characteristics and DT score among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia (N=280).

The relationship between distress and clinical and psychological characteristics is shown in Table 2 and Table 3. Statistically significant associations were found with type of cancer (*p*=0.05), cancer stage (*p*=0.003), psychiatric follow up (17%, *p*<0.0001), psychiatric comorbidity (13%, *p*<0.0001), use of psychiatric medication (12%, *p*=0.0007), and receiving radiotherapy (*p*=0.03). The mean depression score was 8.4 ± 5.0, (*p*<0.0001); 43 (33%) of distressed patients had depression (score >9), and 17 (13%) had suicidal ideation (*p*<0.001). The mean anxiety score was 7.8 ± 5.8 (*p*<0.0001); 48 (37%) of distressed patients had anxiety (score >9). The mean score for satisfaction with social support was 8.4 ± 2.0, (*p*<0.0006), with only 73 (57%) of the distressed patients being satisfied (score >8).

View this table:
[Table 2](http://smj.org.sa/content/42/7/761/T2)

Table 2 
- Clinical characteristics association with DT score among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia (N=280).

View this table:
[Table 3](http://smj.org.sa/content/42/7/761/T3)

Table 3 
- Association of psychological characteristics with DT score among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia (N=280).

The results for the DT and PL are shown in Table 4. The most important stressors were housing (*p*=0.0176), insurance/financial issues (*p*=0.0086), transport problems (*p*=0.0286), decisions regarding treatment (*p*<0.0001), relationship with partner (*p*=0.0202), family health issues (*p*=0.0412), depression (*p*<0.0001), fear (*p*<0.0001), nervousness (*p*=0.0022), sadness (*p*<0.0001), worry (*p*=0.0005), loss of interest (p=0.0003), bathing/dressing problems (*p*=0.0004), breathing difficulty (*p*=0.004), constipation (*p*=0.002), diarrhea (*p*=0.02), eating (*p*<0.0001), fatigue (*p*=0.01), fever (*p*=0.02), mobility problems (*p*=0.012), indigestion (*p*=0.0002), memory/concentration issues (*p*=0.0006), nausea (*p*=0.04), and pain (*p*<0.0001).

View this table:
[Table 4](http://smj.org.sa/content/42/7/761/T4)

Table 4 
- Association of problem list scores with the DT score among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia (N=280).

The results of logistic regression analysis of variables that were statistically significant (*p*<0.05) in univariate analysis is shown in Table 5. Predictors of severe distress were anxiety (odds ratio [OR] 8.7, confidence interval [CI] 1.98-38.24, *p*=0.002), receiving radiotherapy (OR 3.6, CI 1.33-9.99, *p*=0.009), while Saudi nationality (OR 0.22, CI 0.05-0.95, *p*=0.037), and stage I cancer (OR 0.18, CI 0.05-1.40, *p*=0.002) were associated with less distress.

View this table:
[Table 5](http://smj.org.sa/content/42/7/761/T5)

Table 5 
- Logistic regression analysis of potential risk factors for severe distress (DT score ≥4) among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia (N=280).

## Discussion

This study found distress in approximately 46% of patients with cancer. Moreover, a significant proportion of these patients had psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety (37%), depression (33%), and suicidal ideation (13%). However, the majority (83%) of these patients had not seen a psychiatrist.

Researchers in the United States have estimated that 22.8%-66.3% of patients with cancer experience distress.9,10 This wide range of estimates may reflect differences in the assessment tools and methodologies used in the studies. Several tools have been used to screen for distress in patients with cancer, including the Psychological Distress Inventory, Psychological Distress Scale, Questionnaire on Distress in Cancer Patients-Short Form, Screening Inventory for Psychosocial Problems, visual analog scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory, General Health Questionnaire, and the DT.11

In our study, we used the DT, which is a highly specific and sensitive screening instrument for distress validated in Arabic. The Arabic DT with a cutoff score of 4 correctly identified distress in 62% of cancer patients in Saudi Arabia.5

Distress has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life and satisfaction with care. Moderate to severely distressed patients have significantly lower quality of life (QoL) than those with expected or mild levels of distress. The DT is a rapid screening tool that is easy to use and alerts the health care team to clinically relevant alterations in a patient’s QoL.12 Blenkiron et al13 show qualitative analysis of feedback following psycho-oncology input suggested that patients particularly value generic therapeutic skills (such as supportive listening) provided by a professional who is not involved in their physical care.

We did not find an association of demographic characteristics or socioeconomic status with distress, except for Saudi nationality, which could be linked to social support. Herschbach et al14 were similarly unable to identify any general risk factors for distress in patients with cancer, which they attributed to variation in the relevant demographic and medical characteristics between the diagnostic subgroups. However, other studies have identified several predictors of severe distress in patients with cancer, including younger age, practical and emotional problems,10 female gender, lack of education, low performance status,15 head and neck cancer, and not receiving chemotherapy.16 The prevalence of distress is reportedly higher in patients with breast cancer (40.9%) than in those with other types of cancer.14 In our study, radiotherapy was the only treatment modality that was significantly associated with distress. This finding is in line with a study performed in an outpatient radiotherapy clinic that found the rates of anxiety (15%), depression (5.7%), and overall psychological distress (22%).17 Furthermore, a non-blinded, 2-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled study performed at 2 centers found high levels of distress, including physical (84%) and emotional (56%) problems, in patients starting radiotherapy or chemotherapy.18

Other psychological characteristics can affect patients with cancer and predispose them to distress. Anxiety (60.5%) and depression (50.8%) have been commonly documented in oncology patients in Saudi Arabia.19 Contributory factors were found to be: education level, family history of cancer, severity of pain, and patients’ awareness of their psychological issues.20 However, distress was positively correlated with anxiety scores, but not with depression scores.21

The benefit of screening for distress in the oncology setting remains controversial. In line with previous studies, our results support the need for evaluation and management of distress in patients with cancer. One study found that 47% of patients with significant distress were not identified prior to screening and did not receive appropriate supportive care.2 The DT has been reported to be effective for detecting distress and increasing the referral rate to psycho-oncological counselling.2,22 A systematic review also provided evidence to support upgrading the DT from a screening instrument to an active facilitator of distress management care program.23 Moreover, the DT was found to be an efficient and valid single-item measure that was sensitive enough to identify changes in distress in callers ringing a cancer-specific helpline.24 However, other reviewers have cast doubt on the efficacy of implementing distress screening in oncology patients, provided that their distress typically improves only on referral to support services.25,26 Meanwhile, the high demand outweighs the potentials of psychosocial services.27 Although clinicians have conflicting views regarding implementation of routine distress screening,28 a review that includes 30 papers29 found that a large number of patients were willing to be assessed at all visits. Other researchers reported that 78% of patients with cancer were interested in talking to a social worker or behavioral health specialist and that 69% were interested in being part of a support group,30 which suggests that patients need more than screening alone. Indeed, researchers in the United Kingdom found a significant reduction in distress following a period of psycho-oncology care, including a significant decrease in emotional problems of 15%-24% despite no significant change in physical health or practical problems.13

Therefore, based on the current literature, we recommend routine distress screening for oncology patients and further evaluation and psychiatric referral of those found to be distressed. We also recommend a multidisciplinary screening and management approach that involves the oncologist, psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, family, and a patient support advocate.

### Study limitations

A relatively small sample size, convenient sampling from one center, sampling bias towards breast, colorectal cancer, and lymphoma, which should be borne in mind when interpreting its findings. Longitudinal multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are needed to establish the optimal timing for screening, diagnosis, and follow-up and to further evaluate the impact of screening on patient outcomes.

In conclusion, 46% of patients with cancer were found to have distress. Anxiety, advanced cancer stage, and radiotherapy were independently associated with distress. Future studies should highlight the importance of psychosocial care as a pivotal component in the management of oncology patients. A multidisciplinary approach that includes early detection, intervention, and patient counseling is needed to minimize patients’ distress and increase their overall satisfaction with care and quality of life.

## Acknowledgment

*The authors acknowledge Essam Almasri, Minyal Bawazier, Rawan Alqahtani, and Waad Alhuqbani for their significant contribution to collection of the study data. We acknowledge the support we received from the Oncology Center, Thrombosis and Hemorrhagic Center, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We would like to thank Susan Albrecht, MedSurgBio Ltd, for English language editing.*

## Footnotes

*   **Disclosure.** Authors have no conflict of interests, and the work was not supported or funded by any drug company. This study was supported by the Oncology Center, Thrombosis and Hemorrhagic Center, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

*   Received February 21, 2021.
*   Accepted May 31, 2021.


*   Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal

This is an Open Access journal and articles published are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (CC BY-NC). Readers may copy, distribute, and display the work for non-commercial purposes with the proper citation of the original work.

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