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Use of the Distress Thermometer to discern clinically relevant quality of life differences in women with breast cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the ability of Distress Thermometer (DT) scores to discern important differences in quality of life scores among women with breast cancer.

Methods

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s DT, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Breast (FACT–B), and a demographic questionnaire were completed by 111 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Results

Patients considered moderately to severely distressed (score ≥ 4 on DT) scored significantly lower on FACT–B QOL scales and subscales when compared to those in the group scoring 3 or below. For those scales for which minimally important differences (MIDs) have been established, differences between the two groups were 2–3 and a half times the established MID.

Conclusions

Moderately to severely distressed patients have significantly lower QOL than those with expected or mild distress. The DT provides a quick and easy screening tool to alert the healthcare team to clinically relevant alterations in patients’ QOL.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA

    Barbara Anderson Head, Tara J. Schapmire, Cynthia Ellis Keeney, Jennifer A. Scharfenberger & Mark Paul Pfeifer

  2. Spalding University, Louisville, KY, USA

    Stacy M. Deck

  3. University of Kentucky School of Medicine , Lexington, KY, USA

    Jamie L. Studts

  4. University of Louisville School of Nursing, Louisville, KY, USA

    Carla P. Hermann

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  1. Barbara Anderson Head
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  2. Tara J. Schapmire
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Correspondence to Barbara Anderson Head.

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Head, B.A., Schapmire, T.J., Keeney, C.E. et al. Use of the Distress Thermometer to discern clinically relevant quality of life differences in women with breast cancer. Qual Life Res 21, 215–223 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-9934-3

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