Trajectories and risk factors for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with cancer: A 1‐year follow‐up. (26th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yardeni, Maya; Abebe Campino, Gadi; Hasson‐Ohayon, Ilanit; Basel, Dana; Hertz‐Palmor, Nimrod; Bursztyn, Shira; Weisman, Hana; Pessach, Itai M.; Toren, Amos; Gothelf, Doron
• Is Part Of: Cancer medicine. Volume 10:Number 16(2021)
• Page Start: 5653
• Page End: 5660
• Publication Date: 2021-07-26
• Subjects: anxiety -- cancer -- depression -- longitudinal -- PROMIS -- risk‐factors; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7634

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the longitudinal trajectories of psychiatric disorders in children with cancer and risk factors for their persistence. The current study aimed to longitudinally assess the trajectories and risk factors for anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders in children and adolescents with cancer. METHODS: Children and adolescents with cancer and their parents completed the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Depression and Anxiety Module and were interviewed by the semi‐structured Affective and Anxiety Modules of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School‐Age Children (K‐SADS), at 4 time points, 1, 4, 7, and 12 months following the diagnosis of cancer. RESULTS: Of the 99 patients enrolled, 48% met criteria for anxiety and/or depressive disorders at least once during the follow‐up period. There was a significant decrease in PROMIS pediatric and parent anxiety and depression scores (all p 's < 0.01) and in the rate of depressive disorders over time ( p = 0.02), while rates of anxiety disorders remained stable. Anxiety PROMIS pediatric and parent scores at baseline, having brain tumors and being in the acute treatment phase significantly predicted the presences of anxiety disorders at endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the importance of screening for anxiety and disorders in children with cancer, especially among those with brain tumors and at the acute phase of treatment. Abstract : This study aimed to longitudinally assess the trajectories and risk factors for anxiety and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with cancer. We used a unique model of assessment combining the K‐SADS structured psychiatric interview along with the short PROMIS self and parent report at four time points during one year. Our results highlight the importance of screening for anxiety and disorders in children with cancer, especially among those with brain tumors and at the acute phase of treatment.