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Cited by 405Cancer survivorship and careChildhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of LifePalliative and Oncologic Care

Screening and referral for psychosocial distress in oncologic practice: Use of the Distress Thermometer

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Tuinman, Marrit A., Gazendam‐Donofrio, Stacey M., Hoekstra‐Weebers, Josette E.·2008·Cancer
DOI 10.1002/cncr.23622
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Abstract

BACKGROUND.: The objectives of this study were to validate the Distress Thermometer (DT) in the Netherlands and to examine its correspondence with a 46‐item Problem List, possible risk factors, and the wish for a referral. METHODS.: A cross‐sectional group of 277 cancer patients who were treated at 9 hospitals filled in the DT and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and rated the presence and severity of problems (response rate, 49%). RESULTS.: Receiver operating characteristic analyses identified an ideal cutoff score of 5 on the DT with a positive predictive value of 39% and a negative predictive value of 95%. The Problem List appeared to be a reliable measure. Five items on the Problem List correlated strongly with the DT, 13 items had a moderately strong correlation, 26 items were correlated weakly, and 2 items were not correlated significantly. Emotional control, nervousness, pain, and physical fitness appeared to contribute independently to the DT score. The percentage of patients scoring ≥5 (n = 118 patients; 43%) who wanted (14%) or maybe wanted (29%) a referral was significantly higher than the percentage of patients with DT scores <5 (5% and 13%, respectively) who wanted or maybe wanted a referral. Intensively treated patients reported more distress than those who only underwent surgery. No other clear risk factors for distress were identified. CONCLUSIONS.: The DT appeared to be a good instrument for routine screening and ruling out elevated distress. Emotional and physical problems contributed mainly to distress. Experiencing clinically elevated distress did not necessarily suggest that patients wanted a referral. Screening for distress and the wish for a referral can facilitate providing support for those patients who most need and want it. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.

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  • Willingness to talk to a psychologist or social worker has previously been demonstrated to be associated with higher psychological distress.

    “The same holds for the association between willingness to talk to a psychologist or social worker, which has previously been demonstrated to be associated with higher psychological distress [16, 26].”

    From Adjustment disorder in cancer patients after treatment: prevalence and acceptance of psychological treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [16]

  • Risk of bias assessment was conducted on the 30 RCTs among the included studies, 21 of which were rated as having low risk of bias in at least three of the five domains assessed.

    “conducted on the 30 RCTs among the included studies, 21 of which were rated as having low risk of bias in at least three of the five domains assessed (Table S2).”

    From Psychological intervention targeting distress for cancer patients: a meta-analytic study investigating uptake and adherence. (2016) · cites this paper as [29]

    The Procedure section describes questionnaires given to cancer patients, and the Results discuss Distress Thermometer scores; neither reports a risk-of-bias assessment of included RCTs. Searches for “30 RCTs,” “21 low risk,” and randomized-trial bias assessment found no passage supporting the claim. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.78)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [26]26. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Distress man- agement clinical practice guidelines. J Natl Compr Cancer Netw. 2003;1:344-374.
  2. [32]32. Bland JM, Altman DG. Cronbach's alpha. BMJ. 1997;314: 572-572.

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Authors
Tuinman, M. A., Gazendam‐Donofrio, S. M., & Hoekstra‐Weebers, J. E.
Corresponding author
Hoekstra‐Weebers, Josette E.
ORCID
Venue
Cancer
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2008-07-10
Volume
113
Issue
4
Pages
870-878
ISSN
  • 0008-543X (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-0142
DOI
10.1002/cncr.23622
OpenAlex
W1560769006
Cited by
404
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 35 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 29
FWCI
9.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Cancer (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
Keywords
psychosocial distress, cancer patients, Distress Thermometer, screening, referral, problem list, anxiety, depression, emotional control, pain, risk factors, psychosocial support
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anxiety, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Predictive Value of Tests, Psychometrics, Referral and Consultation, Risk Factors, Stress, Psychological

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