Journal article
Problem alcohol use among rural head and neck cancer patients at diagnosis: Associations with health-related quality of life
Psycho-oncology (Chichester, England), Vol.30(5), pp.708-715
05/01/2021
DOI: 10.1002/pon.5616
PMCID: PMC8463955
PMID: 33345347
Abstract
Objective Problem alcohol use in persons with head and neck cancer (HNC) is associated with poor outcomes, including survival. Some evidence suggests that individuals living in rural areas may be at greater risk of problem alcohol use. The present exploratory cross-sectional study sought to examine problem alcohol use at diagnosis in a sample of HNC patients by rural versus urban status.
Methods Self-reported problem alcohol use as measured by the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST) was examined in rural and urban HNC patients at diagnosis (N = 454). Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to examine correlates of problem alcohol use. Subgroup analyses examined HNC-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by problem drinking status at diagnosis and 3- and 12-month postdiagnosis in rural patients.
Results Multivariable linear regression analysis controlling for age, cancer site, cancer stage, depressive symptoms at diagnosis, and tobacco use at diagnosis indicated that rural residence was significantly associated with SMAST scores at diagnosis such that rural patients were more likely to report higher scores (ss = 0.095, sr(2) = 0.010, p = 0.04). Covariate-adjusted subgroup analyses suggest that rural patients with self-reported problem alcohol use may exhibit deficits in HNC-specific HRQOL at diagnosis and 3- and 12-month postdiagnosis.
Conclusions HNC patients should be screened for problem alcohol use at diagnosis and counseled regarding the deleterious effects of continued drinking during treatment and beyond. Because access to treatment and referral options may be lacking in rural areas, additional ways of connecting rural patients to specialty care should be explored.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Problem alcohol use among rural head and neck cancer patients at diagnosis: Associations with health-related quality of life
- Creators
- M. Bryant Howren - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemAlan J. Christensen - East Carolina UniversityJenna L. Adamowicz - University of IowaAaron Seaman - University of IowaShylo Wardyn - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemNitin A. Pagedar - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Psycho-oncology (Chichester, England), Vol.30(5), pp.708-715
- DOI
- 10.1002/pon.5616
- PMID
- 33345347
- PMCID
- PMC8463955
- NLM abbreviation
- Psychooncology
- ISSN
- 1057-9249
- eISSN
- 1099-1611
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- 14381 / VA Office of Rural Health P30 CA086862 / National Cancer Institute; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Cancer Institute (NCI) UL1TR002537 / National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Center for Social Science Innovation; General Internal Medicine; Community and Behavioral Health; Otolaryngology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984312245702771
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