Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40594840›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Evaluating the prevalence of somatization symptoms in the family of cancer patients.

Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi, Fateme Naji, Soleyman Ghaderi, Mahboube Aghanouri, Zahra Barouti

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Being a relative of a person with cancer can be an emotional burden, but caregiving is often done with love: a survey study amongst relatives.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Mohammad Reza SharbafchiBehavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iranian Cancer Control Center (MACSA), Isfahan, Iran.
Fateme NajiBehavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Soleyman GhaderiClinical Psychologist, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Mahboube AghanouriBehavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Mahboub.aghanouri@gmail.com.
Zahra BaroutiBehavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Funding

Isfahan University of Medical Sciences 398648
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The psychological well-being of family members caring for cancer patients impacts care and the health of both parties. This study examines somatization symptoms prevalence among families of breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients. This cross-sectional study at Omid Hospital and Isfahan Cancer Prevention and Control Center (September 2018 to September 2019) randomly involved 780 family caregivers. Demographic data and the patient's medical history were collected. Somatic symptoms were assessed using the Screening for somatoform symptoms and Patient Health Questionnaire. Statistical analysis used SPSS version 23, with significance at P < 0.05. Among 780 subjects (mean age: 40.56 ± 13.88 years), 407 (52.2%), 317 (40.6%), and 56 (7.2%) cared for colorectal, breast, and lung cancer patients, respectively. Caregivers of lung cancer patients reported significantly more excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to somatic symptoms (P = 0.027) along with neurological, cardio-respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and musculoskeletal symptoms (P < 0.001). General complaints were more prevalent among relatives of colorectal cancer patients (P < 0.001). 89.5% of caregivers exhibited excessive somatic symptom-related thoughts, feelings, or behaviors significantly associated with their relationship level with the cancer patient (P = 0.003). Caregivers of lung cancer patients (P = 0.028), female (P = 0.001), married (P = 0.005), and unemployed individuals (P = 0.001) reported higher PHQ-15 scores (mean score = 8.53 ± 5.73) indicating more frequent moderate to severe symptoms. Symptom severity showed no considerable association with age, education, patient illness duration, and relation level with the patient. Somatization symptoms are prevalent among caregivers of cancer patients. Targeted interventions, such as mental health screening and psychosocial support, are crucial to address caregivers' psychological well-being.

Indexed as

CaregiversFamilyNeoplasmsSomatoform DisordersAdultAgedBreast NeoplasmsColorectal NeoplasmsCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansLung NeoplasmsMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceSurveys and QuestionnairesBreast neoplasmsColon neoplasmsFamily membersLung neoplasmsPsycho-oncologyRelativesSomatization symptoms

Identifiers

PMID40594840
PMCPMC12219716

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.