Pancreatic Cancer, Psychological Distress
Conditions
Brief summary
Due to its rarity a population screening program for pancreatic cancer is not possible. For this reason, considering background data on genetic predisposition and familiarity for this lethal tumor, efforts have been pushed to build up surveillance programs for subjects at high-risk of pancreatic cancer, due to familiarity and/or genetic predisposition. These programs are based on radiological examinations (such as MRI or endoultrasonography) and laboratory tests. However, little is known about the psychological burden of these programs. Only a handful of studies investigated, in various ways, how the participation in surveillance programs for pancreatic cancer may burden the psychological status, with a consequent possible impairment of the psychological wellbeing, and a higher risk of withdraw from the surveillance program itself. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological and emotional impact in high-risk individuals participating in a surveillance program for pancreatic cancer due to familiarity and/or to genetic predisposition, using specific psychological tools, such as multiple psychological questionnaires, investigating different functioning areas, administered by a clinical psychologist.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTBarratt Simplified Measure of Social Status (BSMSS)
Questionnaire that evaluates cultural identity, educational level and occupation of the subject and the subject's parents and spouse (if any)
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTGlobal Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF)
Used to measure overall levels of functionality of an individual
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTGeneral Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES)
Psychometric scale that is designed to assess optimistic self-beliefs to cope with a variety of difficult demands in life
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTPerceived Stress Scale (PSS)
To assess the perceived stress
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTCoping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE),
It evaluates the subject's coping style through investigation of problem-solving abilities and emotional fluctuation, as a response to stressful situations
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTMultidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)
to explore the subject's social support system
Sponsors
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Being enrolled in the Institutional surveillance program for pancreatic cancer * Ability to understand the details and implications of a study protocol.
Exclusion criteria
* None
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Barratt Simplified Measure of Social Status | Baseline | Evaluation of cultural identity, educational level and occupation of the subject and the subject's parents and spouse (if any) |
| Global Assessment of Functioning scale | Baseline | measure overall levels of functionality of an individual |
| General Self-Efficacy Scale | Baseline | Self-report scale correlated to emotion, optimism, work |
| Perceived Stress Scale | Baseline | Assessment of the perceived stress |
| Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced | Baseline | evaluation of the subject's coping style through investigation of problem-solving abilities and emotional fluctuation, as a response to stressful situations |
| Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support | Baseline | to explore the subject's social support system |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed