Evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patients
Abstract The psychological well-being of family members caring for cancer patients impacts care and the health of both parties. This study examines somatization symptoms prevalence among families of breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients. This cross-sectional study at Omid Hospital and Isfahan...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85474-5 |
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| author | Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi Fateme Naji Soleyman Ghaderi Mahboube Aghanouri Zahra Barouti |
| author_facet | Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi Fateme Naji Soleyman Ghaderi Mahboube Aghanouri Zahra Barouti |
| author_sort | Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The psychological well-being of family members caring for cancer patients impacts care and the health of both parties. This study examines somatization symptoms prevalence among families of breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients. This cross-sectional study at Omid Hospital and Isfahan Cancer Prevention and Control Center (September 2018 to September 2019) randomly involved 780 family caregivers. Demographic data and the patient’s medical history were collected. Somatic symptoms were assessed using the Screening for somatoform symptoms and Patient Health Questionnaire. Statistical analysis used SPSS version 23, with significance at P < 0.05. Among 780 subjects (mean age: 40.56 ± 13.88 years), 407 (52.2%), 317 (40.6%), and 56 (7.2%) cared for colorectal, breast, and lung cancer patients, respectively. Caregivers of lung cancer patients reported significantly more excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to somatic symptoms (P = 0.027) along with neurological, cardio-respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and musculoskeletal symptoms (P < 0.001). General complaints were more prevalent among relatives of colorectal cancer patients (P < 0.001). 89.5% of caregivers exhibited excessive somatic symptom-related thoughts, feelings, or behaviors significantly associated with their relationship level with the cancer patient (P = 0.003). Caregivers of lung cancer patients (P = 0.028), female (P = 0.001), married (P = 0.005), and unemployed individuals (P = 0.001) reported higher PHQ-15 scores (mean score = 8.53 ± 5.73) indicating more frequent moderate to severe symptoms. Symptom severity showed no considerable association with age, education, patient illness duration, and relation level with the patient. Somatization symptoms are prevalent among caregivers of cancer patients. Targeted interventions, such as mental health screening and psychosocial support, are crucial to address caregivers’ psychological well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e4e613c910647ec92da0d8db830dfd0 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e4e613c910647ec92da0d8db830dfd02025-08-20T03:03:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511810.1038/s41598-025-85474-5Evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patientsMohammad Reza Sharbafchi0Fateme Naji1Soleyman Ghaderi2Mahboube Aghanouri3Zahra Barouti4Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iranian Cancer Control Center (MACSA)Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesClinical Psychologist, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesBehavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesBehavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesAbstract The psychological well-being of family members caring for cancer patients impacts care and the health of both parties. This study examines somatization symptoms prevalence among families of breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients. This cross-sectional study at Omid Hospital and Isfahan Cancer Prevention and Control Center (September 2018 to September 2019) randomly involved 780 family caregivers. Demographic data and the patient’s medical history were collected. Somatic symptoms were assessed using the Screening for somatoform symptoms and Patient Health Questionnaire. Statistical analysis used SPSS version 23, with significance at P < 0.05. Among 780 subjects (mean age: 40.56 ± 13.88 years), 407 (52.2%), 317 (40.6%), and 56 (7.2%) cared for colorectal, breast, and lung cancer patients, respectively. Caregivers of lung cancer patients reported significantly more excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to somatic symptoms (P = 0.027) along with neurological, cardio-respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and musculoskeletal symptoms (P < 0.001). General complaints were more prevalent among relatives of colorectal cancer patients (P < 0.001). 89.5% of caregivers exhibited excessive somatic symptom-related thoughts, feelings, or behaviors significantly associated with their relationship level with the cancer patient (P = 0.003). Caregivers of lung cancer patients (P = 0.028), female (P = 0.001), married (P = 0.005), and unemployed individuals (P = 0.001) reported higher PHQ-15 scores (mean score = 8.53 ± 5.73) indicating more frequent moderate to severe symptoms. Symptom severity showed no considerable association with age, education, patient illness duration, and relation level with the patient. Somatization symptoms are prevalent among caregivers of cancer patients. Targeted interventions, such as mental health screening and psychosocial support, are crucial to address caregivers’ psychological well-being.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85474-5Psycho-oncologySomatization symptomsRelativesFamily membersBreast neoplasmsColon neoplasms |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi Fateme Naji Soleyman Ghaderi Mahboube Aghanouri Zahra Barouti Evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patients Scientific Reports Psycho-oncology Somatization symptoms Relatives Family members Breast neoplasms Colon neoplasms |
| title | Evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patients |
| title_full | Evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patients |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patients |
| title_short | Evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patients |
| title_sort | evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patients |
| topic | Psycho-oncology Somatization symptoms Relatives Family members Breast neoplasms Colon neoplasms |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85474-5 |
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