Cora Meier1, Sabine Taubenheim2, Florian Lordick3, Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf1, Heide Götze4. 1. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 2. Clinical Cancer Registry Leipzig, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 3. University Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL), University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 4. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: heide.goetze@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
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.
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.
Authors: Sandra Silva; Ana Bártolo; Isabel M Santos; Anabela Pereira; Sara Monteiro Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-14 Impact factor: 3.390