Do rapid emotional thermometers correlate with multidimensional validated structured questionnaires in low-risk prostate cancer?

Purpose To promptly identify mental suffering in low-risk prostate cancer (LRPC) patients, vulnerable to over- and undertreatment, we evaluated the correlation of rapid emotional thermometers (ET) with multidimensional validated structured questionnaires. Methods At diagnosis, consecutive LRPC patients underwent five ET domains: emotional suffering, anxiety, depression (DT), revolt and need for help and multidimensional questionnaires: beck anxiety inventory (BAI), beck depression inventory (BDI), beck hopelessness scale, SF36 (physical functioning PF, role limitations due to physical health RP, bodily pain BP, general health perceptions GH, vitality VT, social functioning SF, role limitations due to emotional problems RE and general mental health MH), international index of erectile function and international prostate symptom score (IPSS). Results Among 30 included patients, mean age 67.4 y (52–74), 20 days after the diagnosis (15–30), mean time to obtain ET 27 s (15–57) and all questionnaires 36.7 min (31–49), ETs showed moderate/strong Spearman correlation among themselves. DT domain displayed the best correlation to most of the multidimensional validated structured questionnaires: moderate to BDI, SF-36 (PF, GH, VT, SF, RE, MH) and IPSS and strong to BAI. Conclusion DT revealed the best correlation to validated structured questionnaires of diverse dimensions with clear potential for quick screening of patients with psychological suffering and in need of further evaluation and support.