Partners of long-term gynaecologic cancer survivors: Psychiatric morbidity, psychosexual outcomes and supportive care needs

Objective. To describe long-term psychological morbidity, unmet supportive care needs, positive changes, sexual outcomes and relationship satisfaction in partners of gynaecologic cancer survivors, as compared with respective survivors. Method. Self-report measures were administered to a cross-sectional sample of 68 partners recruited via patient survivors. Results. Rates of depression and anxiety among partners were 8.8% and 10.3%, respectively. Anxiety was higher among survivors than partners (P = 0.003). Partners reported a mean of 3.25 unmet needs and 48.5% had at least one unmet need. At least one positive change was reported by 66.2% of partners. Greater number of unmet needs was the most important predictor of both anxiety (beta=0.39: P=0.001) and depression (beta=0.45; P<0.001). Poor relationship satisfaction independently predicted greater anxiety (beta=-0.28; P=0.01). Perceptions of relationship satisfaction did not differ within couples. Half of couples had been sexually active in the preceding month. Most reported no change in interest in physical contact (76.4%) or sex (70.6%), had excellent sexual function and high levels of satisfaction with sex life. Compared to partners, survivors perceived worse vaginal stenosis and dryness (both P=0.002) and worse satisfaction with (survivors') appearance (P<0.001). Partner outcomes were not associated with demographic variables or survivors' clinical characteristics. Conclusion. The majority of partners reported excellent sexual outcomes and little perceived change since the survivors' diagnosis. The association between unmet needs and psychological morbidity suggests a useful target for further intervention. Despite methodological limitations, these data are novel and present a starting point for further investigation to improve outcomes for survivors and partners. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.