Under-resourced patients with cancer experienced psychological distress throughout the pandemic due to fear of COVID-19, which could result in poorer outcomes and quality of life, according to research presented at the 2021 ASCO Quality Care Symposium.

Researchers conducted an observational, longitudinal survey study between May 2020 and July 2020 and again in December 2020 to gauge the psychological, emotional, physical, and material impact of the pandemic. Respondents included patients with cancer who reported receiving Patient Advocate Foundation services between July 2019 and April 2020.

“Given the high risk of COVID-19 mortality, patients with cancer are not only vulnerable to physical consequences of COVID-19 infection, but also to adverse psychological outcomes, including fear of COVID-19,” authors explained. “Without intervention, psychological distress in patients with cancer can lead to worsening symptoms, poor quality of life, and lower survival.”

There were 1199 total respondents, 94% of whom “considered themselves high risk for COVID-19.” Most were female, between 56-75 years of age, and 40% were Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Of the total respondents, 448 people completed both surveys.

After adjusting models for those who completed the earlier survey, researchers found that fear of COVID-19 was positively associated with mean psychological distress score. Respondents with more fear reported higher scores (10.21; 95% CI 9.38-11.03) than respondents with less fear (7.55; 95% CI 6.75-8.36).

Similarly, responses from patients who completed the second survey indicated that:

• median fear of COVID-19 decreased (20 vs 19);

• median distress scores remained the same (8); and

• respondents with more fear of COVID-19 had a higher mean psychological distress score (9.98; 95% CI 9.04-10.92) compared to respondents with less fear (7.87; 95% CI 6.98-8.76).

Researchers noted the importance of psychological interventions for under-resourced patients, concluding that “timely psychosocial support is critical to meet increased care needs experienced by patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Reference:
Lawhon V, Caston NE, Smith KL, et al. Fear of COVID-19: Effects on mental health in under-resourced patients with cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2021;39(suppl 28; abstr 152). doi: 10.1200/JCO.2020.39.28_suppl.152