Emotional Supportive Care Needs in Patients with Advanced Cancer and Their Associated Characteristics: A Multicenter...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psychosocial Oncology
• Palliative Care

Background:

• Patients with advanced cancer frequently experience emotional distress, including coping difficulties and fear of disease progression.
• Identifying patients who require professional emotional support is crucial for effective care.
• Understanding patient characteristics associated with emotional needs is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the need for emotional supportive care in advanced cancer patients experiencing emotional problems.
• To identify sociodemographic, disease-related, clinical, and psychosocial factors associated with these needs.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multicenter observational study (eQuiPe study) was conducted.
• Baseline data from 892 advanced cancer patients with emotional problems were analyzed.
• Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associated characteristics.

Main Results:

• 92% of advanced cancer patients reported emotional problems; 33% had unmet emotional supportive care needs.
• Fatigue (OR: 2.65), pain (OR: 1.50), and lower social support (OR: 0.95) were significantly associated with emotional supportive care needs.
• Patients needing support often had less contact with oncology nurses and minimal additional psychosocial support.

Conclusions:

• One-third of advanced cancer patients with emotional problems require emotional supportive care.
• Oncologists and nurses should recognize that pain, fatigue, and reduced social support are indicators for increased emotional care needs.
• These findings highlight the importance of integrated psychosocial support in advanced cancer care.