PURPOSE To evaluate for inter-individual differences in financial distress and identify demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics associated with higher levels of financial distress. METHODS Patients (n = 387) were enrolled prior to breast cancer surgery and followed for 12 months. Financial distress was measured using a 0 (no problem) to 10 (severe problem) numeric rating scale. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to evaluate for inter-individual differences in trajectories of financial distress and characteristics associated with financial distress at enrollment and over 12 months. RESULTS Patients' mean age was 55.0 (± 11.7) years and the majority underwent breast conservation surgery (80.6%). Mean financial distress score prior to surgery was 3.3 (± 3.4; range 0 to 10). Unconditional model for financial distress demonstrated no significant changes over time (-0.006/month). Younger age, lower income, receipt of an axillary lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy, and lower attentional function were associated with higher preoperative levels of financial distress. CONCLUSION Risk factors identified in this study can be used to inform clinicians regarding the need to initiate financial discussions and social work referrals for some patients. Additional clinical or system level interventions should be considered for vulnerable groups with these risk factors.

中文翻译：

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与乳腺癌患者手术前和手术后 12 个月财务困境的个体间差异相关的特征。

目的 评估财务困境的个体间差异，并确定与较高财务困境相关的人口统计学、临床和症状特征。方法 患者（n = 387）在乳腺癌手术前入组并随访 12 个月。使用 0（没有问题）到 10（严重问题）数字评级量表来衡量财务困境。分层线性模型用于评估财务困境轨迹的个体间差异以及与入学时和超过 12 个月财务困境相关的特征。结果 患者的平均年龄为 55.0 (± 11.7) 岁，大多数接受了保乳手术 (80.6%)。手术前平均财务困境评分为 3.3（± 3.4；范围 0 至 10）。财务困境的无条件模型表明随着时间的推移没有显着变化（-0.006/月）。年龄较小、收入较低、接受腋窝淋巴结清扫术和辅助化疗以及注意力功能较低与较高的术前财务困境水平相关。结论 本研究中确定的风险因素可用于告知临床医生需要为某些患者启动财务讨论和社会工作转介。对于具有这些风险因素的弱势群体，应考虑额外的临床或系统层面的干预措施。结论 本研究中确定的风险因素可用于告知临床医生需要为某些患者启动财务讨论和社会工作转介。对于具有这些风险因素的弱势群体，应考虑额外的临床或系统层面的干预措施。结论 本研究中确定的风险因素可用于告知临床医生需要为某些患者启动财务讨论和社会工作转介。对于具有这些风险因素的弱势群体，应考虑额外的临床或系统层面的干预措施。