Psychological states, serum markers and survival: associations and predictors of survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma

J Behav Med. 2015 Feb;38(1):48-56. doi: 10.1007/s10865-014-9578-1. Epub 2014 Jun 17.

Abstract

This study sought to determine if there was an association between prognostic-based serum biomarkers, survival, and psychosocial factors in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Associations were found between psychosocial factors and biomarker levels (hemoglobin with depressive symptoms (r = -0.29), positive affect (r = 0.30), social support (r = 0.19), and perceived stress (r = -0.27); albumin with depressive symptoms (r = -0.19), positive affect (r = 0.22), and social support (r = 0.20); alkaline phosphatase with depressive symptoms (r = 0.21), all p values <0.05. After adjustment for disease-related risk factors, only the associations between positive affect and perceived stress with hemoglobin remained significant (p's < 0.05). Positive affect (HR = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.83, 0.97; p = 0.009) and depressive symptom total scores (HR = 1.03; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.06; p = 0.013), and alkaline phosphatase (HR 2.72; 95% CI = 1.41, 5.24; p = 0.003) were associated with survival. This study suggests that measures of positive and negative psychological outlook may contribute differently to health, well-being, and survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / blood*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / psychology*
  • Depression / blood
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / blood*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Serum Albumin / analysis
  • Social Support
  • Stress, Psychological / blood
  • Survival Analysis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Hemoglobins
  • Serum Albumin
  • Alkaline Phosphatase