PTSD Symptoms and their Relationship with Depression, Anxiety, and Physical Health in Patients undergoing Treatment for Advanced Stage Lung Cancer

TL;DR

This study finds that PTSD symptoms are common in advanced lung cancer patients and are linked to anxiety, depression, and physical health issues.

Contribution

The study identifies PTSD symptoms as uniquely associated with sleep and pulmonary problems in advanced lung cancer patients.

Findings

14.5% of patients reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms.

PTSD symptoms were strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and physical health issues like sleep and pulmonary problems.

PTSD symptoms uniquely correlated with sleep and pulmonary symptoms, beyond other psychiatric and physical concerns.

Abstract

Advanced stage lung cancer (ASLC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality. Patients undergoing treatment for ASLC often experience significant comorbid psychiatric and physical distress. Given the acutely life-threatening nature of ASLC, and distressing physical symptoms, patients may be at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This study investigated PTSD symptoms and their association with psychiatric comorbidities and physical health concerns among a subsample of 77 adults undergoing active treatment for ASLC as part of a cross-sectional mixed methods design.

Approximately 14.5 percent of the sample reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms. Symptom severity was positively correlated with anxiety and depressive symptoms (p < .001), and physical concerns including pulmonary symptoms, poor sleep quality, pain intensity, and pain-related interference.

PTSD symptoms were elevated among patients with ASLC and uniquely linked to difficulties with sleep and pulmonary symptoms. Further assessment is needed as these symptoms are often accompanied by other psychiatric symptoms and physical health concerns that can erode well-being and quality of life.