CORRELATES OF PSYCHOLOGIC DISTRESS IN COLORECTAL-CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING GENETIC TESTING FOR HEREDITARY COLON-CANCER

In this article the authors describe the demographic and psychosocial correlates of 2 measures of psychologic distress among 200 colorectal cancer patients undergoing genetic testing for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. The prevalence of symptoms of depression on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale was 24%. In multiva riate analysis, female sex, less formal education, fewer sources of so cial contacts, and less satisfaction with them were associated with hi gh scores on the CES-D Scale. Characteristics associated with high sco res on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were younger age, less formal education, non-White race, local-regional stage of disease, fewer soc ial contacts, and less satisfaction with them. Information on psychoso cial correlates of psychologic distress may prove useful in guiding ge netic counseling sessions, in identifying subgroups that need more int ensive follow-up, and in developing interventions to facilitate adjust ment to genetic test results.