LAUSR

115 Background: In Brazil, 60.5% of patients are diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer. Patients with incurable cancer and their partners experience high rates of distress. This study aimed to assess problem-related distress among patients with stage IV cancer and their partners. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at a large public hospital. Patients and their partners completed the 33-item SupportScreen-Couples Distress, on a five Likert scale, which contains questions related to emotional and physical symptoms, relationship issues and concerns around diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and end-of-life. The McNemar’s test was used to compare rates of problem-related distress between patients and their partners. Results: A total of 64 patients (median 56 yrs old; 57.8% male; 51.6% white; 87.5% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group < 2) and 64 partners (median 56 yrs old; 53.1% white; 93.8% primary caregiver) were enrolled. Couples were married for a median of 27.3 yrs. Patients reported higher levels of distress related to fatigue (42.1% vs 29.7%; P = 0.02), worry about the future (28.1% vs 20.3%; P = 0.08), sleep problems (28.1% vs 20.3%; P = 0.07) and feeling depressed (26.6% vs 15.6%; P = 0.03) compared to their associated partners. Partners reported more anxiety (37.5% vs 28.1%) and financial concerns (25.1% vs 17.2%) compared to associated patients (P < 0.01 for both). Patients and partners had a similar understanding that curative treatment is unlikely and that the goal of treatment was disease control (51.6% and 56.2%, respectively). Patients (versus their partners) were generally more worried about how their family was coping with their cancer diagnosis (42.2% vs 15.6%) and demonstrated hesitancy in talking about fears related to the end of life (60.9% vs 14.1%) (P < 0.001 for both). Conclusions: We identify key differences in psychosocial issues experience by patients and their partners. Furthermore, patients and partners demonstrate unique concerns related to the spectrum of oncology care. Our findings can be used to tailor unique supportive care interventions for patients and partners.