Depression and anxiety in older patients with hematological cancer (70+) – Geriatric, social, cancer- and treatment-related associations. Issue 5 (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meier, Cora; Taubenheim, Sabine; Lordick, Florian; Mehnert-Theuerkauf, Anja; Götze, Heide
• Is Part Of: Journal of geriatric oncology. Volume 11:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 828
• Page End: 835
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Older patients -- Hematological cancer -- Depression -- Anxiety -- Quality of life; Geriatric oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Aged -- Periodicals; Geriatric oncology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 618.976994005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2019.11.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1879-4068

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Older patients are often underrepresented in clinical and epidemiological studies and the knowledge of the effect of hematologic cancer on mental health in the elderly is sparse. Objectives of our study are to provide information on depression and anxiety in older patients with hematological cancer (HCP), compared to a community sample (CS), and to investigate factors associated with depression and anxiety. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective study with interview assessments of HCP (ICD: C81 – C96) age ≥ 70 years to assess depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) in comparison to a CS matched by age and sex. Hierarchical Regression analysis was used to determine the association of depression and anxiety with quality of life (QoL) as well as geriatric, social, cancer- and treatment-related factors. Results: 200 patients (response rate 50.5%, Mean age = 76 years, 64% male) and 225 citizens (response rate 44.5%) were interviewed. Compared to the CS, HCP showed significantly higher levels of depression. There was no difference in levels of anxiety between the two groups. Geriatric characteristics including limited mobility, need for care, comorbidity, as well as ongoing chemotherapy, lack of partnership, and low QoL were associated with depression. Anxiety in HCP was associated with detrimental social interaction, cognitive and emotional functioning, poor nutrition, and comorbidity. Conclusions: Older patients with hematologic cancer are at high risk to experience depressive symptoms and low QoL. Health care professionals should assess geriatric symptoms and screen for depression to allow for early interventions and improve treatment outcomes.