A new study conducted at Vienna General Hospital has found that the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a direct impact on the psychological well-being of patients with cancer. The study looked at 1329 patients, who were screened for symptoms of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and fatigue between 2018 and 2022.
Results showed that income was the most significant predictor of psychological distress, with lower incomes leading to higher levels of distress in all categories. This suggests that poverty outweighs the impact of the pandemic. However, it is important to note that this study has not yet been peer-reviewed, and the findings should be looked at with caution.
Despite the limitations of this study, the results could be useful in informing health policy decisions and interventions in the future. It is important to remember that, while the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on many aspects of life, poverty is still one of the most important risk factors for psychological distress among patients with cancer, and should not be overlooked.