Psychological and symptom distress in terminal cancer patients with met and unmet needs

This study identified the needs of terminal cancer patients, investigated t he factors associated with unmet needs, and assessed pshychological and sym ptom distress associated with unsolved needs. Ni Ninety-four patients were randomly selected from 324 Patients admitted,for palliative care in 13 Ital ian centers. Two self-administered questionnaires (the Symptom Distress Sca le and the Psychological Distress Inventory) were administered to all the p atients. Patients needs were identified using a semi-structured interview, aimed at exploring five areas: physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, self-esteem needs, self-fulfilment needs. A content analys is of the answers defined 11 needs, and identified Patients with unmet need s. The most frequent unmet needs were symptom control (62.8%), occupational functioning (62.1%), and emotional support (51.7%). The less frequently re ported needs were those related to personal care (14.6%),financial support (14.1%), and emotional closeness (13.8%). Low functional state was signific antly associated With a high proportion of Patients with unmet needs of per sonal care, information, communication, occupational,functioning, and emoti onal closeness. Patients With unmet needs showed significantly higher psych ological and symptom distress for most needs. This study provides some sugg estions about the concerns that should be carefully considered during the l ate stage of cancer (C) U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee, 1999.