Factors associated with anxiety and depression in cancer patients prior to initiating adjuvant therapy

Abstract

Objective: Anxiety and depression affect cancer patients' quality of life. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and analyze the association between positive psychological factors, sociodemographic factors, and clinical factors in oncological patients initiating adjuvant treatment.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter cohort of 600 consecutive patients completed the Brief Symptom Inventory, Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer, Life Orientation Scale-Revised, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support questionnaires.

Results: Prevalence of anxiety and depression was 49.8 and 36.6%, respectively. Women and younger individuals were more anxious and depressed than men and seniors. Employed participants suffered more anxiety than retirees, and singles exhibited more depression than married or partnered subjects. Logistic regression analysis showed that hope, optimism, social support, being male, and older were significantly associated with a lower risk of anxiety and depression (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The high prevalence of anxiety and depression among Spaniards with cancer starting adjuvant chemotherapy suggests that more attention should be paid to mental health in these individuals. These findings are important for cancer patients because they can benefit from interventions that increase positive psychological factors such as hope, optimism, and social support to reduce anxiety and depression.

Keywords: Anxiety; Cancer; Depression; Hope; Optimism; Social support.