Screening for psychological distress in cancer care: prevalence and predictive factors among Italian patients using...

Psychological distress is highly prevalent among cancer patients. Although several scientific and professional organizations developed guidelines and tools for screening, implementation barriers in cancer care persist. Therefore, it seems to be critical to effectively introduce tools and triage systems that can identify patients' source of distress. The study aims to investigate prevalence and predictors of psychological distress experienced by a mixed sample of adult cancer patients using the Italian version of the Concerns and Help Identifier for Medical Patients (CHIMP_C) Checklist, in order to quickly detect distress.

In 2023, 240 adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" in Bari completed the Emotion Thermometers (ET) and the CHIMP_C Checklist. Socio-demographic and clinical factors were collected from medical records. Pearson and Spearman correlations, chi-square tests, and binomial logistic regressions were performed to investigate prevalence and predictors of psychological distress.

Most participants were female (68.3%), with breast cancer being the most common diagnosis (28.7%). Our findings revealed a significant prevalence of distress (49.58%, with DT scores ≥ 5). Notably, emotional and personal concerns emerged as key predictors and risk factors for elevated ET scores.

The combined use of the CHIMP_C Checklist alongside the Emotion Thermometers (ET) could suggest a way for clinicians to identify multifaceted factors contributing to psychological distress in cancer patients during active treatment. This approach not only is focused on facilitating the initiation of timely psychological interventions but also can improve patient access to comprehensive therapeutic programs, thereby enhancing overall quality of care.