A longitudinal study of distress (depression and anxiety) up to 18 months after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Issue 8 (13th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Neilson, Kate; Pollard, Annabel; Boonzaier, Ann; Corry, June; Castle, David; Smith, David; Trauer, Tom; Couper, Jeremy
• Is Part Of: Psycho-oncology. Volume 22:Issue 8(2013)
• Page Start: 1843
• Page End: 1848
• Publication Date: 2012-12-13
• Subjects: Cancer -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- psychology -- Periodicals; 616.9940019
• DOI: 10.1002/pon.3228
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-9249

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="pon3228-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>The aim of the study was to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with head and neck cancer up to 18 months after radiotherapy.</p> </sec> <sec id="pon3228-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Prospective observational study of consecutive head and neck outpatients was conducted at a tertiary cancer centre (<italic>n</italic> = 101). Eligibility included diagnosis of cancer in the head and neck region, where the patient agreed to radiotherapy with curative intent. Data were collected before commencement of radiotherapy and 3 weeks and 18 months after completion. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Tumour/treatment‐related physical symptoms were assessed using the 'Additional Concerns' subscale of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.</p> </sec> <sec id="pon3228-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The prevalence of identified probable cases of depression was 15% at baseline, increasing to 29% 3 weeks post‐treatment, falling to 8% at 18‐month follow‐up. The number of probable cases of anxiety was 20% at baseline, 17% at 3 weeks post‐treatment and 22% at 18‐month follow‐up. Depression scores significantly increased from baseline to 3 weeks post‐treatment and decreased at 18‐month follow‐up. Variability in depression scores was accounted for by tumour/treatment‐related physical symptoms. Anxiety scores significantly decreased between baseline and 3‐week post‐treatment and increased at 18‐month follow‐up. Younger age and more tumour/treatment‐related physical symptoms predicted anxiety scores.</p> </sec> <sec id="pon3228-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The rates of depression in head and neck cancer patients increase following cancer treatment and are related to tumour/treatment‐related physical symptoms. Anxiety levels are higher pre‐treatment, lower immediately following cancer treatment but rise to near pre‐treatment levels more than a year after completion of cancer treatment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>