Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and adjustment disorder in hematological cancer patients with different treatment regimes

Authors

  • Franziska Springer a Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • Katharina Kuba a Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • Jochen Ernst a Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • Michael Friedrich a Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • Heide Glaesmer a Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • Uwe Platzbecker b Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
  • Vladan Vucinic b Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
  • Svenja Heyne a Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf a Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • Peter Esser a Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2023.2239477

Keywords:

Cancer, hematological cancer, posttraumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, stem cell transplantation, risk factors

Abstract

Background

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorder (AjD) are common in hematological cancer patients as they face severe stressors during their serious disease and often intensive treatment, such as stem cell transplantation (SCT). Aims of the present study were to provide frequency and risk factors for PTSD and AjD based on updated diagnostic criteria that are lacking to date.

Material and methods

In a cross-sectional study, hematological cancer patients were assessed for stressor-related symptoms via validated self-report questionnaires based on updated criteria for PTSD (PCL-5) and AjD (ADMN-20). Frequency and symptom severity were estimated among the total sample and SCT subgroups (allogeneic, autologous, no SCT). SCT subgroups were compared using Chi-squared-tests and ANOVAs. Linear regression models investigated sociodemographic and medical factors associated with symptomatology.

Results

In total, 291 patients were included (response rate: 58%). 26 (9.3%), 66 (23.7%) and 40 (14.2%) patients met criteria for cancer-related PTSD, subthreshold PTSD and AjD, respectively. Symptom severity and frequency of criteria-based PTSD and AjD did not differ between SCT subgroups (all p > 0.05). Factors associated with elevated symptomatology were younger age (PTSD: p < 0.001; AjD: p = 0.02), physical comorbidity (PTSD: p < 0.001; AjD: p < 0.001) and active disease (PTSD: p = 0.12; AjD: p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Based on new criteria, a considerable part of hematological cancer patients reports PTSD and AjD symptoms. Younger patients and patients with physical symptom burden might be particularly at risk and need to be monitored closely to enable effective treatment at an early stage.

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Published

2023-09-02

How to Cite

Springer, F., Kuba, K., Ernst, J., Friedrich, M., Glaesmer, H., Platzbecker, U., … Esser, P. (2023). Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and adjustment disorder in hematological cancer patients with different treatment regimes. Acta Oncologica, 62(9), 1110–1117. https://doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2023.2239477

Issue

Vol. 62 No. 9 (2023): Acta Oncologica

Section

Articles