J Korean Med Sci.  2016 Jul;31(7):1105-1113. 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.7.1105.

Psychological Status and Associated Factors among Korean Cancer Survivors: a Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Fourth & Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

• Choi KH
• Park SM

• KMID: 2373731
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.7.1105

Abstract

It is important to assess psychological distress after a diagnosis for cancer survivors, a population with a high risk for psychological distress. The aim of this study is to assess psychological distress among cancer survivors and to clarify the associated factors. In this cross-sectional analysis, data were obtained from standardized questionnaires administered to 1,163 cancer survivors and 49,243 non-cancer survivors who participated in the Fourth and Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2012). We identified the adjusted rates for psychological distress and assessed factors associated with this kind of distress using multivariate logistic regression. Cancer survivors tended to have a higher adjusted rate of psychological distress than the general population. The current depressive symptom rate for cancer survivors was 16.69%, and the adjusted rate for history of depression in cancer survivors was 15.61%. The adjusted rate for higher level of stress was 25.51% in cancer survivors. Among the cancer survivors, younger subjects, female subjects, and those with limited social support were more prone to psychological distress. In addition, current smokers or risky drinkers, those with chronic diseases, and those with a poor self-perception of their health status were also identified as a high-risk group for psychological distress. As the number of cancer survivors has increased, the importance of assessing psychological distress after a cancer diagnosis should be emphasized among all cancer survivors. Further, psychological supportive care interventions for cancer survivors are needed to improve the survival rate and improve their quality of life.

Keyword

Psychological Status; Cancer Survivors; Distress; Risk Factors; Korean

MeSH Terms

Aged
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression/etiology
Female
Health Status
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Neoplasms/*diagnosis/mortality
Nutrition Surveys
Quality of Life
Social Support
Socioeconomic Factors
*Stress, Psychological
Surveys and Questionnaires
Survivors/*psychology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Adjusted rate for current depressive symptoms in non-cancer survivors vs. cancer survivors. Adjusted for patient characteristics (age, sex, educational level, monthly income, spouse status, residential area, and health insurance types). * P value < 0.05.

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  Fig. 2 Adjusted rate for history of depression in non-cancer survivors vs. cancer survivors. Adjusted for patient characteristics (age, sex, educational level, monthly income, spouse status, residential area, and health insurance types). * P value < 0.05.

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  Fig. 3 Adjusted rate higher level of stress in non-cancer survivors vs. cancer survivors. Adjusted for patient characteristics (age, sex, educational level, monthly income, spouse status, residential area, and health insurance types). * P value < 0.05.

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