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Research Paper | Orthopaedic Surgery | Malaysia | Volume 12 Issue 7, July 2023
Psychological Distress among Patients with Suspected Sarcoma Requiring Biopsy Confirmation
Yam Hock Ng | Yee Chin Chai | Sa'adon Ibrahim
Abstract: Objectives: Cancer journeys differ for every patient. It?s a process that starts from early suspicion of cancer. There are emerging studies focusing on the psychological impact of patients who had been diagnosed with cancer. In fact, psychological distress is common among patients with sarcoma. The purpose of this study is to assess psychological distress in patients with suspected sarcoma and to identify risk factors. At the orthopaedic clinic of a sole sarcoma referral tertiary center in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Material and Methods: Prior to the biopsy, the patient had to complete a set of questionnaires, including social demographics and a 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) self-assessment for psychological distress evaluation. The investigators would follow up with the histopathological results after biopsy was taken. Logistic regression was used to determine the significant association between each subsection of psychological distress and other risk factors. Results: A total of 79 patients with suspected sarcoma were recruited within 12-months period. The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression was 15.2%, 21.5%, and 15.2%, respectively. The majority reported feeling normal or mild anxiety and depression, but a significant minority experienced clinically significant levels of moderate or higher anxiety and depression. Univariate analysis showed a significant connection between ambulatory status and stress/depression (p value = 0.015 and 0.003) as well as between Indian ethnicity and anxiety level (p value = 0.009). Ambulatory status was linked to higher depression (p value = 0.021) and Indian ethnicity was linked to higher anxiety (p value = 0.009). Conclusion: Proper attention should be paid to the psychological needs of sarcoma patients.
Keywords: Psychological distress, DASS-21, biopsy, sarcoma
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 7, July 2023,
Pages: 32 - 36