Physical and psychological symptom burden in patients and caregivers during follow-up care after curative surgery for cancers in the pancreas, bile ducts or duodenum

Authors

  • Kristine Elberg Dengsø a Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Thordis Thomsen b Department of Anaesthesiology, Herlev Acute, Critical and Emergency Care Science Unit, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark; c Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Bo Marcel Christensen a Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Carina Lund Sørensen a Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Michael Galanakis d Statistics and Data Analysis, Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton c Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; e Survivorship & Inequality in Cancer, Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark; f Department of Clinical Oncology & Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Naestved, Denmark
  • Jens Hillingsø a Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2023.2185541

Keywords:

Follow-up care, cancer, caregivers, burden, QoL, anxiety, depression

Abstract

The primary aim was to assess Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), anxiety and depression in patients and caregivers during follow-up care after curative treatment for cancer in the pancreas, duodenum, or bile ducts. The secondary aim was to assess dyadic coping and the burden of being a caregiver.

Materials and methods

In this prospective observational cohort study, we included patients and caregivers at first follow-up visit to conduct the following: Demographic characteristics, The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life, the pancreas and bile duct module, EQ5D 3L, GAD-7 and PHQ-9 at baseline, and at six and nine-months follow-up visit. Demographic characteristics, Dyadic Coping Inventory and Zarit Caregiver Burden Questionnaire were conducted at baseline and at nine-months of follow-up visit.

Results

The response rate was 42% with 104 of the 248 invited patients completing the questionnaires at baseline: 78 (75% of 104) after six and 69 (66% of 104) after nine months. The median (Q25,75) time for inclusion was 33.6 (13.4, 38) and 29.1 (18.3, 36) weeks after surgery for patients with pancreatic or duodenal cancer, and bile duct cancer, respectively. The response rate of caregivers was 88% with 75 of 85 completing the questionnaires. Fifty percent of patients with pancreatic or duodenal cancer had diarrhea at baseline. After six and nine months, this increased to 75%. Fatigue was the most prominent symptom in patients with bile duct cancer after nine months with 25% of patients scoring this as a clinical symptom.

Conclusions

The study highlights the need to systematically screen physical and psychological symptoms in patients and caregivers during follow-up care after treatment for cancer in the pancreas, duodenum and bile ducts. Symptom management during follow-up care should be prioritized by clinicians.

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Published

2023-07-03

How to Cite

Elberg Dengsø, K., Thomsen, T., Marcel Christensen, B., Lund Sørensen, C., Galanakis, M., Oksbjerg Dalton, S., & Hillingsø, J. (2023). Physical and psychological symptom burden in patients and caregivers during follow-up care after curative surgery for cancers in the pancreas, bile ducts or duodenum. Acta Oncologica, 62(7), 782–793. https://doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2023.2185541

Issue

Vol. 62 No. 7 (2023): Acta Oncologica

Section

Articles