Identifying associations between sample characteristics, symptoms, and self‐efficacy differences in adult patients with rare tumors of the central nervous system who participated in a novel web‐based natural history study

• Published in: Cancer Medicine
• Main Authors: Alvina Acquaye‐Mallory, Elizabeth Vera, Anna Choi, Kathleen Wall, Mark R. Gilbert, Terri S. Armstrong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2024-08-01
• Subjects: cancer prevention; medical oncology; psychosocial studies; QOL
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70017

Abstract Objective High self‐efficacy is associated with improved self‐care and reduced symptoms in cancer patients but has not been fully interrogated in adults with central nervous system (CNS) cancers. We aimed to identify the relationship between self‐efficacy levels in managing emotions (SEMEM) and social interactions (SEMSI) by examining sample characteristics and symptom burden. Methods Sample characteristics and patient‐reported outcome (PRO) measures addressing self‐efficacy (PROMIS SEMEM & SEMSI) and symptom burden (MDASI BT or SP) were collected in a novel web‐based study of 158 adult patients diagnosed with rare CNS tumors. Results The sample was predominantly female (73%), diagnosed with an ependymoma (66%), and had a median age of 45 (19–75). Low SEMEM was associated with a longer duration of symptoms before surgery (r = −0.26) and female gender (92%) among brain tumor (BT) participants and in spinal cord tumors (SCT), those with lower education (r = 0.29). Reporting low SEMSI was associated with being married (42%), lower education (r = 0.22), and a prolonged time with symptoms before surgery (r = 0.29) in those with BTs, with no associations identified in SCT. More severe mood‐related interference (including mood, enjoyment of life, and relationship with others) was associated with lower SEMEM among both locations (r = −0.61 brain, r = −0.28 spine) and SEMSI in BT participants (r = −0.54). Conclusions Low self‐efficacy was linked to a prolonged time between symptom onset and initial surgery, education, gender, and marital status and was associated with higher mood‐related interference. Understanding characteristics associated with low self‐efficacy underscores a need for future studies to tailor interventions that enhance self‐efficacy.