Factors influencing fear of disease recurrence in postoperative craniopharyngioma patients.

in American journal of translational research by Lan Zhang, Yun Zhang, Jia Pu, Zong-Ping Li

TLDR

  • A study of 152 CP patients found that type of resection, gender, and tumor size influenced fear of recurrence, and that social support and positive coping reduced fear, while negative coping and depression increased it.
  • Gender differences in fear of recurrence were significant, with depression interacting with gender to affect fear of recurrence.

Abstract

To investigate the factors influencing the fear of recurrence among craniopharyngioma (CP) patients. A total of 152 CP patients from Mianyang Central Hospital were recruited for this survey. The patients completed validated self-report questionnaires, including the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Hospital Anxiety and Depressed Scale (HADS), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). The average post-surgery FoP-Q-SF score in CP patients was 36.29±5.22 points, with 71.1% of patients scoring above the clinical significance level (cut-off score ≥34). FoP-Q-SF scores differed significantly by type of resection, gender, and tumor size (P<0.001), with lower recurrence fear in patients undergoing total resection, female patients, and those with tumors <2.4 cm. Social support (P<0.001) and positive coping (P<0.001) were associated with a significant reduction in the fear of recurrence, while negative coping was associated with an increased fear of recurrence (P<0.001). Additionally, gender (P<0.001) and tumor size (P<0.001) also showed significant effects on fear of recurrence. The interaction between depression and gender significantly affected fear of recurrence (P<0.001), with female FoP-Q-SF scores increasing as HADS-depression scores rose, while the opposite trend was observed for male patients. The interaction between gender and depressive mood significantly modulates the fear of recurrence, suggesting that gender differences should be considered in clinical interventions. Social support and positive coping play a positive role in alleviating fear of recurrence, while negative coping may exacerbate the fear. Strengthening psychological assessment and support during postoperative care is recommended.

Overview

  • The study investigated the factors influencing the fear of recurrence among craniopharyngioma (CP) patients, focusing on the effects of type of resection, gender, tumor size, and psychological factors.
  • The study used self-report questionnaires, including the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Hospital Anxiety and Depressed Scale (HADS), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) in a sample of 152 CP patients recruited from Mianyang Central Hospital.
  • The study aimed to identify the factors influencing the fear of recurrence among CP patients and to explore the effects of social support, coping style, and depression on fear of recurrence.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • FoP-Q-SF scores differed significantly by type of resection, gender, and tumor size, with lower recurrence fear in patients undergoing total resection, female patients, and those with tumors <2.4 cm.
  • Social support and positive coping were associated with a significant reduction in the fear of recurrence, while negative coping was associated with an increased fear of recurrence.
  • The interaction between depression and gender significantly affected fear of recurrence, with female FoP-Q-SF scores increasing as HADS-depression scores rose, while the opposite trend was observed for male patients.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study highlights the importance of considering psychological factors, such as social support and coping style, in the postoperative care of CP patients to alleviate the fear of recurrence.
  • Future studies should focus on exploring the underlying mechanisms of the observed gender differences in fear of recurrence and developing targeted interventions to address these differences.
  • Strengthening psychological assessment and support during postoperative care is recommended to improve the outcomes of CP patients.
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