Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and associated factors in breast cancer patients during the first COVID-19 lockdown in France.

Abstract

Introduction:

We aimed to study post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in breast cancer (BC) patients during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Materials and methods:

We included BC patients receiving medical treatment during the first COVID-19 lockdown in France. PTSD symptoms were evaluated using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) questionnaire. Quality of life [Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G)], cognitive complaints [Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog)], insomnia [Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)], and psychosocial experiences during lockdown were also evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify clinical factors (from medical records) and psychosocial factors (from questionnaires) associated with PTSD symptoms.

Results:

Among the 253 included BC patients (mean age: 58), 46% had metastatic cancer and 52% were treated by chemotherapy alone. COVID-19-induced adjustments in medical oncology practices were experienced by 27% of patients (mainly teleconsultations). No case of COVID-19 was reported; 23% of BC patients had PTSD symptoms. Compared to other patients, patients with PTSD symptoms had more fears relative to COVID-19 infection (83 vs. 60%, p = 0.009), had more feeling of isolation (69 vs. 41%, p = 0.003), and had more prescription or increased use of psychotropic drugs (49 vs. 20%, p = 0.001). In the multivariable model adjusted for clinical factors, fears relative to COVID-19 and increased use of psychotropic drugs were independently associated with PTSD symptoms (OR [95% CI] = 3.01 [1.20-8.44] and 3.45 [1.48-8.17], respectively). Besides, patients with PTSD symptoms had poor quality of life (QoL), and more cognitive complaints and insomnia.

Conclusion:

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were observed in 23% of BC patients during the first COVID-19 lockdown in France. Psychological supports are needed for patients treated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Authors: Feriel Yahi, Justine Lequesne, Olivier Rigal, Adeline Morel, Marianne Leheurteur, Jean-Michel Grellard, Alexandra Leconte, Bénédicte Clarisse, Florence Joly, Sophie Lefèvre-Arbogast
• Journal: Frontiers in psychology (Front Psychol) Vol. 13 Pg. 768043 ( 2022) ISSN: 1664-1078 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 36186387 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Yahi, Lequesne, Rigal, Morel, Leheurteur, Grellard, Leconte, Clarisse, Joly and Lefèvre-Arbogast.