Screening Properties of the Diagnostic Criteria for Cancer-Related Fatigue.

Background: Within the theoretical framework of the ICD diagnostic criteria of cancer-related fatigue, we aim to investigate how those criteria can be used for screening purposes.

Methods: Fatigue was assessed in a mixed sample of 1,225 cancer patients during their stay in a rehabilitation clinic using four different fatigue measures and the diagnostic criteria (Criterion A; DC-A). Psychometric evaluations (e.

Measuring fatigue in cancer patients: a common metric for six fatigue instruments.

Purpose: Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms in cancer patients. Many instruments exist to measure fatigue. This variety impedes the comparison of data across studies or to the general population.

Predictors of fatigue in cancer patients: a longitudinal study.

Introduction: Having a better understanding of predictors of cancer-related fatigue makes it easier to early identify patients at risk of suffering from long-term fatigue. The aim of this longitudinal study was to identify factors that predict long-term fatigue 6 months after discharge from a rehabilitation clinic using a multidimensional conceptualization.

Method: A mixed sample of cancer survivors (N = 948) were recruited while in-patient at a rehabilitation clinic.

The influence of self-efficacy and resilient coping on cancer patients' quality of life.

The objective of this study was to analyse whether general self-efficacy and resilient coping are negatively impacted when people are sick with cancer (compared with people from the general population), and whether these resource variables predict quality of life outcomes in that patient group. A sample of 959 patients recruited in an oncologic rehabilitation clinic was examined once while hospitalised and once again six months thereafter. The outcome variables were quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) and distress (PHQ-4).

Psychometric properties of the fatigue questionnaire EORTC QLQ-FA12 and proposal of a cut-off value for young adults with cancer.

Background: Young adult patients with cancer have to deal with their disease in an eventful phase of life. A common side effect of cancer and its treatment is cancer-related fatigue (CRF), a phenomenon which can thwart successful coping with developmental tasks. The aims of this study were to assess the psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-FA12, a new instrument for assessing physical, emotional and cognitive fatigue, in young adults with cancer, and to propose a cut-off value that indicates a need for further more specific diagnostics.

[Selected Quality Characteristics Of Out-Patient Psychosocial Cancer Counseling Centers In Germany: A Nationwide Analysis].

Objectives: Quality assurance has become increasingly relevant in the field of outpatient psychosocial cancer counseling. At the same time, no studies are currently available that analyze outpatient psychosocial cancer counseling centers in Germany with respect to standards of service quality. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether these centers meet selected quality criteria of outpatient psychosocial cancer counseling.

[Cancer Related Fatigue in Rehabilitation Care].

Aim of the study was to provide information about the prevalence of cancer related fatigue and the association between treatment-related factors and fatigue in cancer patients during the rehabilitation care. In a multicenter study 693 cancer patients (27% breast cancer, 17% prostate cancer etc.) completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) and sociodemographic and treatment information was noted.

Twelve-Month and Lifetime Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Cancer Patients.

Background: Psychological problems are common in cancer patients. For the purpose of planning psycho-oncological interventions and services tailored to the specific needs of different cancer patient populations, it is necessary to know to what extent psychological problems meet the criteria of mental disorders. The purpose of this study was to estimate the 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates of mental disorders in cancer patients.

[Out-Patient Psychosocial Cancer Counseling Centers and their Clients - Services Provided and Service Utilization by Patients and Patients' Relatives].

Psychosocial cancer counseling centers represent an increasingly important part of comprehensive psychosocial cancer care. Research on the services provided by those centers is sparse, however, as is research on person-, disease-, and treatment-related characteristics of their clients. Therefore, the present study analyzes the services provided by 26 psychosocial cancer counseling centers temporarily being funded by the German Cancer Aid as well as selected characteristics of their clients.

Does psychodynamic short-term psychotherapy for depressed breast cancer patients also improve fatigue? Results from a randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this study was to determine (a) the course of fatigue in depressed breast cancer patients, (b) the effect of a depression-focused individual psychodynamic psychotherapy on fatigue, and (c) the associations of fatigue with depression, quality of life and treatment-related variables. In a German multicentre randomized controlled trial in Leipzig and Mainz, depressed early breast cancer patients (UICC stage 0-III, age 18-70 years) were randomly assigned to a short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP, an adaptation of the Supportive-Expressive psychotherapy by Luborsky for cancer patients) or treatment as usual (TAU) and completed data assessment pre- and post-treatment. Fatigue was assessed with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20).

[Outpatient psychosocial counseling--results of a user-based cross-sectional study about patient reported needs and its consideration].

Background: This article presents results of a user-based cross-sectional study about patient reported needs and its consideration in the course of outpatient psychosocial counseling. In addition, patient satisfaction with consultations was evaluated.

Method: A sample of 1 930 cancer patients or family caregivers who consulted one of 26 psychosocial counseling units funded by German Cancer Aid completed a questionnaire sent by mail.

[KoMPASS--design, implementation and experiences concerning a structured communication skills training for physicians dealing with oncology].

Goal of the KoMPASS project is to develop and test a training program that effectively improves oncologists' communication skills. The training draws with regard to concept, content and didactic methods to the specific challenges arising in interactions with cancer patients. Concept and didactical methods for an intensive training (KoMPASS Training) are being presented and complemented with experiences gathered during 39 trainings with 335 physicians, as well as findings from the training evaluation by participants.

Efficacy of psychodynamic short-term psychotherapy for depressed breast cancer patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is a lack of psychotherapeutic trials of treatments of comorbid depression in cancer patients. Our study determines the efficacy of a manualized short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and predictors of outcome by personality and quality of the therapeutic relationship.

Methods/design: Eligible breast cancer patients with comorbid depression are assigned to short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (up to 20 + 5 sessions) or to treatment as usual (augmented by recommendation for counseling center and physician information).

Construct validity of the EORTC quality of life questionnaire information module.

Purpose: Providing sufficient information about diagnosis and treatment is an important feature of high-quality patient care in oncology. To measure patient satisfaction with information received, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Group has recently developed a new tool, the information module (INFO25). The aim of this study was to evaluate the scale structure of the INFO25.

The desire for shared decision making among patients with solid and hematological cancer.

Goal: The desire for shared decision making arises especially for frequently occurring cases of solid cancer. For hematological cancer conditions, there are no analogous results. This study compares the participation patients' desires concerning medical decisions dealing with their solid and hematological tumors.

Patients' acceptance and psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 after surgery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' acceptance and the reliability and validity of a recently developed instrument to assess quality of life among cervical cancer patients, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Cervical Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-CX24), in surgically treated patients after primary surgery.

Methods: The EORTC QLQ-CX24 was administered to 134 cervical cancer patients who had undergone pelvic surgery. Additional questionnaires completed were the EORTC QLQ-C30, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Fatigue in cancer survivors--prevalence and correlates.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and influencing factors of fatigue in cancer survivors.

Patients And Methods: 646 cancer survivors completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), in addition to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Quality Of Life questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30), the subscale 'social support' of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale (FACT), the Perceived Adjustment to Chronic Illness Scale (PACIS), and a questionnaire containing items on demographic and clinical data.

Results: 36% of cancer survivors suffer from moderate, 12% from severe fatigue.