Prevalence of emotional distress and anxiety about death and associated biopsychosocial factors in Colombian adult cancer patients

Distress (emotional distress) is an unpleasant experience, widely described among oncology patients. It has been proposed as the sixth vital sign in oncology and a fundamental element to guarantee comprehensive and personalized care for this population. The prevalence of distress in oncology patients is variable, ranging from 42% to 91%, with negative consequences on well-being and quality of life. Numerous factors have been associated with distress, including: advanced age, cancer stage, emotional disturbances, chemotherapy, fatigue and pain. Death anxiety is a multifactorial psychological construct characterized by distress arising from the anticipation of one's own death or that of others. It is a frequent reaction in people with cancer or other life-threatening diseases. The aim of the present study is to establish the prevalence and biopsychosocial factors associated with distress (emotional distress) and death anxiety in the adult Colombian oncology population. A multicenter, analytical observational, cross-sectional, cross-sectional study will be carried out. A probabilistic sample, stratified by center, will be carried out. It is a minimal risk study. After obtaining informed consent, several instruments will be applied to measure distress and the factors associated with it. We expect to find a prevalence of distress above 50% and of anxiety about death and physical and psychological factors associated with death.

Distress, anxiety about death, cancer, prevalence