The Association Between Stress Level and Laboratory Parameters, Sex, Age and Stage Disease in Patients with Digestive and Bronchopulmonary Neoplasms

We conducted a prospective study to determine whether there is a possible correlation between stress level and age, sex, cancer site, disease stage and to explore whether stress level changed during each visit. Patients diagnosed with digestive or bronchopulmonary neoplasms over a period of 6 months were included in our study. The level of stress for each patient was investigated using a questionnaire developed by an authorized psychiatrist. The questionnaire comprised 10 items and the score for each component ranged from 0 to 3, a higher score indicating a higher level of stress. For the purpose of this study, a score ] 20 indicated a high level of stress. Each patient included in our study completed the questionnaire during three consecutive visits in our department. Our study revealed a statistically significant association between age and stress level, whereas no correlation was found between stress level and laboratory parameters, tumor site and disease stage.