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[Diagnostic imaging studies: do they create anxiety?]
P Pifarré1, M Simó, J D Gispert
1Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, CRC-Hospital Quirón. Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), España. paloma.pifarre@crccorp.es
Revista Espanola De Medicina Nuclear
|July 19, 2011
Summary
Nuclear medicine imaging, such as PET-CT scans, significantly increases anxiety in cancer patients, especially during initial disease staging. This highlights the psychological impact of diagnostic tests on individuals with cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Psychological Impact of Medical Procedures
Background:
- Cancer is a leading cause of death in Western countries, with diagnostic imaging playing a crucial role.
- Cancer diagnosis and imaging studies can significantly impact patients psychologically.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate anxiety levels in oncology patients undergoing nuclear medicine (PET-CT) studies.
- To assess the psychological impact of PET-CT scans using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
Main Methods:
- Administered the STAI questionnaire to 200 cancer patients undergoing PET-CT scans.
- Utilized a validated questionnaire (STAI) to measure anxiety in a clinical setting.
Main Results:
- Two-thirds (67%) of patients experienced anxiety during the PET-CT scan.
- First-time patients (70%) reported higher anxiety than those with prior scans (62.7%).
- Anxiety was greatest when PET-CT was used for initial disease staging.
Conclusions:
- PET-CT scans for initial staging or recurrence evaluation are significant anxiety generators.
- Diagnostic cancer imaging tests have a substantial emotional and cognitive impact on patients.
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