N Zeynalova1, S Schimpf2, C Setter3, M Yahiaoui-Doktor1, S Zeynalova4, F Lordick2, M Loeffler5, A Hinz6. 1. Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Universität Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany. 2. University Cancer Center Leipzig, University Medical Center Leipzig, Liebigstreet 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. 3. Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany. 4. Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Universität Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany; LIFE - Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Universität Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: samira.zeynalova@imise.uni-leipzig.de. 5. Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Universität Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany; LIFE - Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Universität Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany. 6. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer patients can feel depression and anxiety any time after a cancer diagnosis. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) is an instrument for the assessment of anxiety. The main objective of this work was to compare general anxiety levels between cancer survivors and individuals without a history of cancer in a population-based study (LIFE-ADULT) with 10,000 participants. METHODS: All participants (18-80 years) completed the GAD-7 and other psychological and medical questionnaires. A score of 10 or greater for GAD-7 (of total 21) indicates a probable generalized anxiety disorder. RESULTS: 954 participants reported a diagnosis of cancer in their medical history. In the multivariate analysis an anxiety disorder was associated with prior cancer diagnosis (OR: 1.8; 95% CI [1.4-2.4]), age -every additional year- (OR: 0.983; [0.976-0.991]), female gender (OR: 1.8; [1.5-2.2]) and low socioeconomic status (OR: 2.0; [1.7-2.5]) all p < 0.001. There were no significant associations between general anxiety and other comorbidities, such as myocardial infarction (OR: 1.0; p = 0.948), stroke (OR: 1.4; p = 0.237) or diabetes (OR: 1.0; p = 0.326). There was also no significant difference in anxiety disorder among cancer survivors regarding the time passed since the initial cancer diagnosis (OR: 1.1; [0.6-1.9], p = 0.804 comparing 5-10 years after a diagnosis of cancer vs. ≤5 years and OR: 0.6; [0.4-1.1], p = 0.107 comparing >10 vs. ≤5 years). LIMITATIONS: This study has a cross-sectional character, therefore, causal conclusions cannot be drawn. CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors may require screening for anxiety disorders and long-term professional psychosocial support.
BACKGROUND:Cancerpatients can feel depression and anxiety any time after a cancer diagnosis. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) is an instrument for the assessment of anxiety. The main objective of this work was to compare general anxiety levels between cancer survivors and individuals without a history of cancer in a population-based study (LIFE-ADULT) with 10,000 participants. METHODS: All participants (18-80 years) completed the GAD-7 and other psychological and medical questionnaires. A score of 10 or greater for GAD-7 (of total 21) indicates a probable generalized anxiety disorder. RESULTS: 954 participants reported a diagnosis of cancer in their medical history. In the multivariate analysis an anxiety disorder was associated with prior cancer diagnosis (OR: 1.8; 95% CI [1.4-2.4]), age -every additional year- (OR: 0.983; [0.976-0.991]), female gender (OR: 1.8; [1.5-2.2]) and low socioeconomic status (OR: 2.0; [1.7-2.5]) all p < 0.001. There were no significant associations between general anxiety and other comorbidities, such as myocardial infarction (OR: 1.0; p = 0.948), stroke (OR: 1.4; p = 0.237) or diabetes (OR: 1.0; p = 0.326). There was also no significant difference in anxiety disorder among cancer survivors regarding the time passed since the initial cancer diagnosis (OR: 1.1; [0.6-1.9], p = 0.804 comparing 5-10 years after a diagnosis of cancer vs. ≤5 years and OR: 0.6; [0.4-1.1], p = 0.107 comparing >10 vs. ≤5 years). LIMITATIONS: This study has a cross-sectional character, therefore, causal conclusions cannot be drawn. CONCLUSION:Cancer survivors may require screening for anxiety disorders and long-term professional psychosocial support.