Unmet mental health needs in patients with advanced B-cell lymphomas Journal Article


Authors: Marte, C.; George, L. S.; Rutherford, S. C.; Ouyang, D. J.; Martin, P.; Leonard, J. P.; Trevino, K. M.
Article Title: Unmet mental health needs in patients with advanced B-cell lymphomas
Abstract: Context Existing research on psychological distress and mental health service utilization has focused on common types of solid tumor cancers, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of patients experiencing rare forms of hematologic cancers. Objective To examine distress, quality of life, and mental health service utilization among patients with aggressive, refractory B-cell lymphomas. Method Patients (n = 26) with B-cell lymphomas that relapsed after first- or second-line treatment completed self-report measures of distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey, SF-12). Patients also reported whether they had utilized mental health treatment since their cancer diagnosis. Results Approximately 42% (n = 11) of patients reported elevated levels of psychological distress. Of patients with elevated distress, only one quarter (27.2%; n = 3) received mental health treatment, while more than half did not receive mental health treatment (54.5%; n = 6), and 18.1% (n = 2) did not want treatment. Patients with elevated distress reported lower mental quality of life than patients without elevated distress [F (1, 25) = 15.32, p = 0.001]. Significance of the results A significant proportion of patients with advanced, progressive, B-cell lymphomas may experience elevated levels of distress. Yet, few of these distressed patients receive mental health treatment. Findings highlight the need to better identify and address barriers to mental health service utilization among patients with B-cell lymphoma, including among distressed patients who decline treatment. Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press.
Keywords: neoplasm; neoplasms; quality of life; psychology; b cell lymphoma; lymphoma, b-cell; distress syndrome; mental health; mental stress; stress, psychological; psychological distress; mental health service; distress; b-cell lymphoma; complication; mental health services; humans; human; mental health treatment utilization
Journal Title: Palliative and Supportive Care
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1478-9515
Publisher: Cambridge University Press  
Date Published: 2022-06-01
Start Page: 328
End Page: 333
Language: English
DOI: 10.1017/s1478951521001164
PUBMED: 35713350
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC9843817
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 August 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Login S George
    16 George
  2. Kelly M Trevino
    55 Trevino
  3. Chrystal Avonlea Marte
    2 Marte