Shin JA, Kosiba JD, Traeger L, Greer JA, Temel JS, Pirl WF. Dyspnea and panic among patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer.
J Pain Symptom Manage 2014;
48:465-70. [PMID:
24766738 PMCID:
PMC4163506 DOI:
10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.10.021]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT
Among patients with lung cancer, dyspnea is associated with psychological distress, fatigue, and poor coping. Respiratory symptoms are also a common trigger for panic attacks in the general population. Minimal research has addressed the prevalence of panic disorder or the association of dyspnea with the risk of panic disorder in lung cancer.
OBJECTIVES
We explored the frequency of panic disorder symptoms and the association of dyspnea with the risk of panic disorder symptoms among patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer.
METHODS
During 2006-2010, consecutive patients presenting for initial consultation at a thoracic oncology clinic completed a survey of current symptoms, including dyspnea and panic disorder symptoms. We evaluated the frequency of panic disorder symptoms. Logistic regression was used to test the association of dyspnea with the risk of panic disorder symptoms, adjusting for age, gender, disease stage, performance status, and major depression symptoms.
RESULTS
Among 624 patients (mean age=63.7; standard deviation=12.1; 52.6% female), 48.1% reported that breathing was at least somewhat difficult and 11.2% endorsed panic disorder symptoms. Dyspnea was independently associated with higher risk of panic disorder symptoms (odds ratio=2.19, 95% confidence interval=1.11-4.31, P=0.02). Younger age and major depression symptoms also were associated with higher risk (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Almost half of the patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer reported dyspnea, and patients with dyspnea were more than twice as likely to endorse panic disorder symptoms relative to patients without dyspnea. Results highlight the need to differentiate panic disorder symptoms among patients who report dyspnea, particularly those who are younger or experiencing major depression symptoms.
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