Catastrophisation, Détresse Émotionnelle et Expérience de la Douleur au Sein d’une Population de Patients Souffrant de Cancer: Catastrophisation, Emotional Distress and the Experience of Pain in a Cancer Patient Population

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between different aspects of pain catastrophizing, emotional distress and the experience of pain in cancer patients. Methodology: This study involved 31 cancer patients recruited from two public hospitals in the city of Douala. The sample was constructed using the double technique of accidental-voluntary sampling. Three main tests were used for data collection: the PCS (to assess catastrophisation), the HADS (to assess emotional distress) and the BPI (to assess pain experience). Results: The analysis revealed significant links between the amplification sub-dimension and several pain scores: between amplification and the evaluation of pain discomfort on mood (Rho=0.368; p=0.001), on walking ability (Rho=0.466; p=0.008) and on usual work (Rho=0.466; p=0.019). There were also links between the rumination sub-dimension and the assessment of pain in general (Rho=0.370; p˂0.05); between rumination and the assessment of pain discomfort on mood (Rho=0.358; p˂0.05) and on relationships with others (Rho=0.361; p˂0.05). La sous-dimension impuissance quant à elle entretient des liens significatifs avec l’évaluation de la douleur situationnelle (Rho=0,563 ; p=0,001) ; avec l’évaluation de la gêne de la douleur sur l’humeur (Rho=0,411 ; p=0,022), sur l’activité générale (Rho=0,411 ; p=0,022) et sur les relations avec les autres (Rho=0,364 ; p˂0,05). With regard to the link between aspects of catastrophising and emotional distress, a significant (negative) link was found only between the amplification sub-dimension and depression (Rho= -0.360; p˂0.05). Conclusion: Early detection of pain dramatisation could make it possible to offer appropriate and preventive pain management in patients suffering from cancer.