Emotional Distress, Anxiety, and General Health Status in Patients With Newly Identified Small Pulmonary Nodules

Background Anxiety and emotional distress have not been studied in large, diverse samples of patients with pulmonary nodules. Research Question How common are anxiety and distress in patients with newly identified pulmonary nodules, and what factors are associated with these outcomes? Study Design and Methods This study surveyed participants in the Watch the Spot Trial, a large, pragmatic clinical trial of more vs less intensive strategies for radiographic surveillance of patients with small pulmonary nodules. The survey included validated instruments to measure patient-centered outcomes such as nodule-related emotional distress (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) and anxiety (Six-Item State Anxiety Inventory) 6 to 8 weeks following nodule identification. Mixed-effects models were used to compare outcomes between study arms following adjustment for potential confounders and clustering within enrollment site, while also examining a limited number of prespecified explanatory factors, including nodule size, mode of detection, type of ordering clinician, and lack of timely notification prior to contact by the study team. Results The trial enrolled 34,699 patients; 2,049 individuals completed the baseline survey (5.9%). Respondents and nonrespondents had similar demographic and nodule characteristics, although more respondents were non-Hispanic and White. Impact of Event Scale-Revised scores indicated mild, moderate, or severe distress in 32.2%, 9.4%, and 7.2% of respondents, respectively, with no difference in scores between study arms. Following adjustment, greater emotional distress was associated with larger nodule size and lack of timely notification by a clinician; distress was also associated with younger age, female sex, ever smoking, Black race, and Hispanic ethnicity. Anxiety was associated with lack of timely notification, ever smoking, and female sex. Interpretation Almost one-half of respondents experienced emotional distress 6 to 8 weeks following pulmonary nodule identification. Strategies are needed to mitigate the burden of distress, especially in younger, female, ever smoking, and minoritized patients, and those with larger nodules. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT02623712; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov Anxiety and emotional distress have not been studied in large, diverse samples of patients with pulmonary nodules. How common are anxiety and distress in patients with newly identified pulmonary nodules, and what factors are associated with these outcomes? This study surveyed participants in the Watch the Spot Trial, a large, pragmatic clinical trial of more vs less intensive strategies for radiographic surveillance of patients with small pulmonary nodules. The survey included validated instruments to measure patient-centered outcomes such as nodule-related emotional distress (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) and anxiety (Six-Item State Anxiety Inventory) 6 to 8 weeks following nodule identification. Mixed-effects models were used to compare outcomes between study arms following adjustment for potential confounders and clustering within enrollment site, while also examining a limited number of prespecified explanatory factors, including nodule size, mode of detection, type of ordering clinician, and lack of timely notification prior to contact by the study team. The trial enrolled 34,699 patients; 2,049 individuals completed the baseline survey (5.9%). Respondents and nonrespondents had similar demographic and nodule characteristics, although more respondents were non-Hispanic and White. Impact of Event Scale-Revised scores indicated mild, moderate, or severe distress in 32.2%, 9.4%, and 7.2% of respondents, respectively, with no difference in scores between study arms. Following adjustment, greater emotional distress was associated with larger nodule size and lack of timely notification by a clinician; distress was also associated with younger age, female sex, ever smoking, Black race, and Hispanic ethnicity. Anxiety was associated with lack of timely notification, ever smoking, and female sex. Almost one-half of respondents experienced emotional distress 6 to 8 weeks following pulmonary nodule identification. Strategies are needed to mitigate the burden of distress, especially in younger, female, ever smoking, and minoritized patients, and those with larger nodules. ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT02623712; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov Addressing Emotional Distress in Patients With Incidental Pulmonary Nodules: A Potential Avenue for Improving Adherence to GuidelinesCHESTVol. 164Issue 6PreviewAn estimated more than 1.5 million incidental pulmonary nodules (IPNs) are detected annually in the United States, not including nodules detected during lung cancer screening (LCS). Although most small IPNs are benign, evaluation of an IPN is recommended according to American College of Chest Physicians guidelines unless there are specific imaging characteristics of a benign process such as nodule calcification. American College of Chest Physicians, Fleishner Society, and British Thoracic Society consensus guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for management of incidentally detected IPNs, and Lung CT Screening Reporting & Data System (Lung-RADS) provides recommendations for management of IPNs detected during LCS. Full-Text PDF