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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Improving the Diagnostic Accuracy of the Distress Thermometer: A Potential Role for the Impact Thermometer

María José GaldónElena IbáñezPaula MartínezYolanda Andreu

subject

Malemedicine.medical_specialtyDiagnostic accuracyContext (language use)Sensitivity and SpecificityNeoplasmsHumansMedicineDistress ThermometerGeneral NursingPsychological TestsAdult patientsbusiness.industryMiddle AgedSurgeryClinical PracticeDistressAnesthesiology and Pain MedicineROC CurveThermometerPhysical therapyFemaleNeurology (clinical)businessCombination methodStress Psychological

description

Abstract Context Screening for and management of distress in clinical practice is an important issue in the field of psycho-oncology. The Distress Thermometer (DT) is a common screening tool, but other methods recently have been proposed, with the aim of improving its diagnostic accuracy. Objectives To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the DT alone and combined with the Impact Thermometer (IT), via the use of two possible combination methods. Methods A heterogeneous sample of 385 adult patients with cancer completed the DT, the IT, and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18. Results The results of the DT were comparable with those found in previous studies, indicating that the DT was adequate for "screening" but had limited value for "case finding." The DT and the IT combined (summed or paired scores) showed minor differences in accuracy indexes compared with the DT alone. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the addition of the IT to the DT failed to improve its accuracy for identifying distress.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2015-07-01Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.02.004