Cancer and Covid-19: A preliminary study on the trauma aspects of coronavirus in cancer patients

Objective Because of Covid 19, it has become necessary to revise the treatment of cancer patients (how and when). That has had important psychological repercussions. The purpose of this study is the evaluation of the impact of Covid19 in terms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression and the potential association with coping strategies. Methods We conducted an exploratory study with 106 patients undergoing treatment, using following questionnaires: Screening Questionnaire for Disaster Mental Health and Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer. Results Only 25.5% of our sample showed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 6.6% revealed a probable presence of depression. In addition, it came up a significant correlation between SQD_P and the coping styles Hopelessness (r = 0.41 p < 0.001) and Anxious Preoccupation (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). A strong correlation also emerged between non-Covid 19 patients and PTSD (r = 0.29, p = 0.002). Conclusions Our preliminary data did not reveal a prevalence of PTSD, but the persistence of the health emergency requires to focus future research on protective and risk factors related to PTSD and psychological distress in cancer patients, in order to reduce the mental health burden of Covid19.

Automated summary

This study aims to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in cancer patients, as well as the potential association with coping strategies. The results showed that only 25.5% of the sample exhibited symptoms of PTSD, and there was a significant correlation between the SQD_P and coping styles such as hopelessness and anxious preoccupation.