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Aspects of emotional functioning following oesophageal cancer surgery in a population‐based cohort study
Author(s) -
Hellstadius Ylva,
Lagergren Pernilla,
Lagergren Jesper,
Johar Asif,
Hultman Christina M.,
Wikman Anna
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.3583
Subject(s) - cancer , medicine , cohort , population , general surgery , cohort study , surgery , environmental health
Objective The aim of this study was to establish the proportion of patients reporting emotional problems following oesophagectomy for cancer and identify the risk characteristics for emotional problems. Methods A Swedish population‐based cohort study of patients with surgically treated oesophageal cancer was used. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 was used to assess tension, worry, irritation and depressed mood at 6 months and 5 years after surgery. Potential risk characteristics were retrieved from medical notes and data linkages to Swedish health registries. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine risk characteristics for poor emotional recovery. Results Of 401 patients included at 6 months, 49% reported problems with tension, 61% worry, 62% irritation and 63% depressed mood. Of the 140 (35%) patients who completed the 5‐year follow‐up, 39% reported problems with tension and about half of the patients reported problems with worry, irritation, and depressed mood (49, 45 and 52%, respectively). Squamous cell carcinoma was identified as a risk characteristic for tension (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.30–3.55), worry (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.19–3.40) and depressed mood (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.01–2.90) at 6 months compared with adenocarcinoma. Compared with higher education, lower education was associated with tension (upper secondary schooling: OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.02–3.79 and 9‐year compulsory: OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.28–4.74), while non‐cohabitating patients were less likely to report problems with worry at 6 months (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34‐0.84) compared with cohabitating patients. Conclusions A substantial proportion of patients reports emotional problems following oesophagectomy, and risk characteristics include squamous cell carcinoma histology and low educational level. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.