OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: Prospective observational study of consecutive head and neck outpatients was conducted at a tertiary cancer centre (n = 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: Prospective observational study of consecutive head and neck outpatients was conducted at a tertiary cancer centre (n = 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of depression in head and neck cancerpatients 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.
Authors: Barbara L Andersen; Neha Godiwala Goyal; Travis D Westbrook; Brenden Bishop; William E Carson Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2016-07-12 Impact factor: 12.531
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Authors: John M Hoyle; Tanya A Correya; Kelly Kenzik; Liton Francisco; Sharon A Spencer; Christopher D Willey; James A Bonner; James W Snider; Drexell Hunter Boggs; William R Carroll; Smita Bhatia; Andrew M McDonald Journal: Head Neck Date: 2022-01-25 Impact factor: 3.147