Inflammatory Biomarkers, Diet Quality, and Distress in Advanced Cancer Patients
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Date
2024-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Background: The number of cancer cases in the United States is on the rise. Those living with advanced cancer experience higher levels of psychological distress than those with earlier-stage disease and the general population. Recent research suggests that inflammatory biomarkers, such as eotaxin and tumor necrosis factor-⍺ (TNF-⍺), may be associated with psychological distress. Additionally, diet quality is crucial for the overall health and well-being of cancer patients, but the association between diet quality and distress in advanced cancer patients requires further exploration.
Methods: This pilot study recruited 28 participants with advanced cancer diagnoses including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and leukemia from outpatient oncology clinics. Participants completed several self-report questionnaires– The Center for Epidemiological Disease Depression Scale (CESD), The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and The James Supportive Care Screening (JSCS). Participants also provided optional blood samples for biomarker analysis and 24-hour dietary recall interviews. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and partial correlations to explore the relationships between inflammatory biomarkers, diet quality, and psychological distress.
Results: Participants exhibited significant levels of distress, with an association between lower eotaxin levels and higher levels of depression. There were no significant associations found between eotaxin levels and other measures of distress or between TNF-⍺ levels and distress. Similarly, no significant associations were observed between diet quality and distress measures.
Discussion: This study contributes valuable insights into the association between biomarkers of inflammation, diet quality, and psychological distress in advanced cancer patients. Further research with a larger, more diverse sample and comprehensive dietary assessment is needed to fully investigate these associations. These findings suggest the ability to use biomarkers, such as eotaxin, to identify patients at risk and contribute to future development of interventions to improve depression for individuals living with advanced cancer.
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Keywords
Advanced Cancer, Inflammatory Biomarkers, Distress, Depression, Anxiety