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Abstract
To investigate prospectively the prevalence of high levels of emotional distress and
referral rate to psychosocial care in head and neck cancer (HNSCC) patients. Fifty-five
consecutive newly diagnosed HNSCC patients were asked to complete the hospital anxiety
and depression scale (HADS) and the EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N35 quality of life questionnaires
on a touch screen computer-assisted data collection system on their first visit and
during follow-up visit. Sociodemographic, clinical, and quality of life parameters
were compared to a high level of distress (HADS score >15). Number of patients with
a high level of distress were compared to referral rates to psychosocial care as retrieved
from patient hospital files. At time of diagnosis, 18% (10/55) of the patients had
a high level of distress (related to tumor stage and site, and global quality of life
and social eating) versus 25% (14/55) at follow-up (related to a variety of quality
of life parameters). Low levels of distress at baseline or follow-up was noted in
64%; 18% had normal scores at baseline and developed distress at follow-up; 11% had
high levels at baseline and returned to normal scores at follow-up, and 7% had persistent
distress from baseline to follow-up. No patients were referred to psychosocial care
at time of diagnosis. At follow-up visit 21% (3/14) were referred, all patients who
developed a high level of distress after initial diagnosis. High level of emotional
distress is common and few patients are referred to psychosocial care. Development
of a stepped care model (including careful monitoring by using a touch screen computer
system) may meet the potentially unmet needs of HNC patients and contribute improving
cancer care.