Factors Influencing Fear of Disease Recurrence in Postoperative Craniopharyngioma Patients

Overview

Journal Am J Transl Res

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2025 Feb 17

PMID 39959246

Authors

Lan Zhang

Yun Zhang

Jia Pu

Zong-Ping Li

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing the fear of recurrence among craniopharyngioma (CP) patients.

Methods: A total of 152 CP patients from Mianyang Central Hospital were recruited for this survey. The patients completed validated self-report questionnaires, including the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Hospital Anxiety and Depressed Scale (HADS), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ).

Results: The average post-surgery FoP-Q-SF score in CP patients was 36.29±5.22 points, with 71.1% of patients scoring above the clinical significance level (cut-off score ≥34). FoP-Q-SF scores differed significantly by type of resection, gender, and tumor size (P<0.001), with lower recurrence fear in patients undergoing total resection, female patients, and those with tumors <2.4 cm. Social support (P<0.001) and positive coping (P<0.001) were associated with a significant reduction in the fear of recurrence, while negative coping was associated with an increased fear of recurrence (P<0.001). Additionally, gender (P<0.001) and tumor size (P<0.001) also showed significant effects on fear of recurrence. The interaction between depression and gender significantly affected fear of recurrence (P<0.001), with female FoP-Q-SF scores increasing as HADS-depression scores rose, while the opposite trend was observed for male patients.

Conclusion: The interaction between gender and depressive mood significantly modulates the fear of recurrence, suggesting that gender differences should be considered in clinical interventions. Social support and positive coping play a positive role in alleviating fear of recurrence, while negative coping may exacerbate the fear. Strengthening psychological assessment and support during postoperative care is recommended.

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