Psychological distress of cancer patients caused by treatment delay during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: A cross-sectional study

Objective The currents study sought to explore the impact of treatment delay on the mental health for patients with cancer during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods Travel restrictions were imposed in most areas of the country between 23 January 2020 and 25 February 2020 owing to the COVID-19 epidemic. Travel restrictions were lifted from 26 February 2020 to 12 March 2020. The number of new confirmed cases significantly reduced after 12 March 2020. Study participants, comprised of individuals from three distinct groups: (1) 835 cancer patients who attended Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between 26 February 2020 and 12 March 2020; (2) 185 healthy volunteers recruited between 26 February 2020 and 12 March 2020; (3) 168 cancer patients who attended the hospital during the non-epidemic period (after 12 March 2020). Two outcome measures including patients' posttraumatic stress responses and general psychological distress (GPD) were assessed using the Chinese versions of the Impact of Events Scale-Revised and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Treatment delay was assessed via counting the time interval from diagnosis to treatment initiation, or from planned treatment date to actual date of therapy. Communication satisfaction was evaluated via a self-report questionnaire. An independent sample t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for comparison. Statistical analysis included Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and multivariate logistic regression. Results All 1188 participants (835 patients with cancer and 185 controls during the outbreak, and 168 patients with cancer during the non-epidemic period) completed and submitted the questionnaires. A positive association was observed between treatment delays and increased GPD levels (OR 1.716; 95% confidence interval ,CI 1.254-2.348; p = 0.001) as well as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (OR: 1.545, 95% CI: (1.166-2.047), p = 0.002). Patients who reported good communication with their doctors showed a significantly lower risk of GPD (OR: 0.526, 95% CI (0.348-0.794), p = 0.002) and PTSD (OR: 0.683, 95% CI (0.490-0.951), p = 0.024) compared with patients who reported unsatisfactory communication or had no contact with their doctors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that treatment at a local hospital, treatment delays and unsatisfactory or no communication with cancer-care professionals were significantly correlated with severe GPD and PTSD symptoms of patients (all p <= 0.05). Conclusion The findings indicate that cancer patients who underwent treatment delays during the COVID-19 pandemic may become vulnerable to psychological distress. The results showed that effective communication with doctors and cancer-care professionals during outbreak significantly reduces GPD levels and PTSD symptoms.