Are We Aware of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Leukemia?

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to assess the status of anxiety and depression in newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients. Material and Method:In this prospective, observational, cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the risks of anxiety and depression in newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients who were admitted to hematology clinic of Ministry of Health İstanbul Training and Research Hospital in 2016.Results: A total of 21 patients including 13 (61.9%) patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and 8 (38.1%) patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) were evaluated in the study. The median age of the patients was 45 years (range: 21-69) and the number of female patients were 11 (52.4%). Only eight (38.1%) patients, who were diagnosed with AML in five (38.5%) patients and ALL in three (37.5%) patients, have revealed to have anxiety. The anxiety rates were 45.5% (n:5) in the female patients and only 30% (n:3) in the male patients. The difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Depression was recorded in 17 (81%) patients and the rates of depression were 84.6% (n:11) in AML patients, 75% (n:6) in ALL patients, 81.8% (n:9) in the female, and 80% (n:8) in the male patients. Conclusion:The assessment of anxiety and depression in patients with acute leukemia from the admission to hospital is substantial for the adherence to treatment. Both are distinctively more common in those patients and trigger each other causing a vicious circle. A professional support to improve their psychological status should be provided during the treatment of these patients.