Open AccessPerspectives, fears and expectations of patients with gynaecological cancers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A Pan‐European study of the European Network of Gynaecological Cancer Advocacy Groups (ENGAGe)
Author(s) -
Gultekin Murat,
Ak Sertac,
Ayhan Ali,
Strojna Aleksandra,
Pletnev Andrei,
Fagotti Anna,
Perrone Anna Myriam,
Erzeneoglu B. Emre,
Temiz B. Esat,
Lemley Birthe,
Soyak Burcu,
Hughes Cathy,
Cibula David,
Haidopoulos Dimitrios,
Brennan Donal,
Cola Edoardo,
SteenBanasik Elzbieta,
Urkmez Esra,
Akilli Huseyin,
Zapardiel Ignacio,
Tóth Icó,
Sehouli Jalid,
Zalewski Kamil,
Bahremand Kiarash,
Chiva Luis,
Mirza Mansoor Raza,
Papageorgiou Maria,
Zoltan Novak,
Adámková Petra,
Morice Philippe,
GarridoMallach Sonia,
Akgor Utku,
Theodoulidis Vasilis,
Arik Zafer,
Steffensen Karina D.,
Fotopoulou Christina
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.3605
Subject(s) - hospital anxiety and depression scale , anxiety , medicine , pandemic , depression (economics) , covid-19 , cancer , family medicine , psychiatry , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , macroeconomics
Background The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on European gynaecological cancer patients under active treatment or follow‐up has not been documented. We sought to capture the patient perceptions of the COVID‐19 implications and the worldwide imposed treatment modifications. Methods A patient survey was conducted in 16 European countries, using a new COVID‐19‐related questionnaire, developed by ENGAGe and the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale questionnaire (HADS). The survey was promoted by national patient advocacy groups and charitable organisations. Findings We collected 1388 forms; 592 online and 796 hard‐copy (May, 2020). We excluded 137 due to missing data. Median patients’ age was 55 years (range: 18–89), 54.7% had ovarian cancer and 15.5% were preoperative. Even though 73.2% of patients named cancer as a risk factor for COVID‐19, only 17.5% were more afraid of COVID‐19 than their cancer condition, with advanced age (>70 years) as the only significant risk factor for that. Overall, 71% were concerned about cancer progression if their treatment/follow‐up was cancelled/postponed. Most patients (64%) had their care continued as planned, but 72.3% ( n = 892) said that they received no information around overall COVID‐19 infection rates of patients and staff, testing or measures taken in their treating hospital. Mean HADS A nxiety and D epression Scores were 8.8 (range: 5.3–12) and 8.1 (range: 3.8–13.4), respectively. Multivariate analysis identified high HADS‐depression scores, having experienced modifications of care due to the pandemic and concern about not being able to visit their doctor as independent predictors of patients’ anxiety. Interpretation Gynaecological cancer patients expressed significant anxiety about progression of their disease due to modifications of care related to the COVID‐19 pandemic and wished to pursue their treatment as planned despite the associated risks. Healthcare professionals should take this into consideration when making decisions that impact patients care in times of crisis and to develop initiatives to improve patients’ communication and education.