Does the prevalence of anxiety and depression for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cancer survivors change over time: a prospective study (#384)
Does the prevalence of anxiety and depression among diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) survivors change over time? Findings from a prospective study
Objective: To prospectively examine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among survivors of DLBCL.
Methods: Patients with a primary diagnosis of DLBCL (n=354) recruited through Victorian Cancer Registry (response rate 32%) completed telephone interviews on average 6.5 months post-diagnosis (SD: 1.96, range: 2.4-11.8) (T1), with 259 (response rate 74%) completing a second interview on average 8.4 months later (SD: 0.75, range 7-12) (T2). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34) were completed at both times. Primary outcomes were elevated levels (scores 8+) of HADS anxiety and depression. McNemar tests examined change in prevalence of anxiety and depression.
Results: We analysed data from 259 patients participating in both interviews. The prevalence of elevated anxiety increased (T1=13% vs. T2=23%, p=0.005), while that of elevated depression remained stable (T1=15% vs. T2=16%, p=0.87). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, elevated anxiety at T1 was positively associated with baseline (T1) unmet psychological needs (OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.12-1.57), and T1 unmet sexuality needs (OR 1.65, 95%CI 1.10-2.45) and was inversely associated with perceived quality of care at T1 (OR 0.55,95%CI 0.37-0.77). T2 anxiety was associated with T1 unmet physical and daily living needs (OR 1.37, 95%CI 1.07-1.74, p<0.05), and unmet psychological needs (OR 1.16, 95%CI 1.01-1.34). Participants aged under 60 (OR 3.13, 95%CI 1.23-7.63) were more likely to have elevated anxiety at T1 but not T2. T1 Depression (OR 4.83, 95%CI 1.69-13.79) was associated with perceived poorer health at T1. T2 depression was positively associated with baseline unmet psychological needs (OR 1.21, 95%CI 1.03-1.43) and perceived poorer health at T1 (OR 4.41, 95%CI 1.36-14.29).
Conclusions: A substantial increase in the prevalence of elevated anxiety in DLBCL survivors in the first two years post-diagnosis was observed, although depression remained constant. Identifying effective strategies to address unmet psychological, physical and sexual needs are warranted.