Development of health‐related quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and depression among persons diagnosed with cancer during adolescence: a 10‐year follow‐up study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe main aim was to investigate the development of health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and symptoms of anxiety and depression in a cohort diagnosed with cancer during adolescence from shortly after up to 10 years after diagnosis.MethodsParticipants (n = 61) completed the SF‐36 and the HADS shortly; six, 12, and 18 months; and two, three, four, and 10 years (n = 28) after diagnosis. Polynomial change trajectories were used to model development.ResultsPolynomial change trajectories showed an initial increase which abated over time into a decrease which abated over time for the SF‐36 subscales Mental Health and Vitality; an initial decline which abated over time into an increase for HADS anxiety; and an initial decline which abated over time into an increase which abated over time for HADS depression. The SF‐36 mental component summary showed no change from two to 10 years after diagnosis whereas the SF‐36 physical component summary showed an increase from two years after diagnosis which declined over time. Ten years after diagnosis 29% reported possible anxiety.ConclusionsDevelopment of HRQOL and symptoms of anxiety and depression appears to be non‐linear among persons diagnosed with cancer during adolescence. Well into permanent survivorship an increase in symptoms of anxiety is shown and approximately a third of the participants report possible anxiety. The findings indicate the need for: studies designed to pinpoint the times of highest psychological risk, clinical follow‐up focusing on psychological problems, and development of effective psychological interventions for survivors of adolescent cancer. © 2015 The Authors. Psycho‐Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Prevalence of mental disorders and psychosocial distress in German adolescent and young adult cancer patients (AYA)

“…Similar to recent studies based on self‐report questionnaires, we found moderate and severe symptoms of anxiety and/or depression in more than a quarter of AYAs with cancer. In both our and the Muffly et al study, the screening instrument used revealed that more patients had increased depression scores than they did increased anxiety scores.…”

“…Existing research shows that AYA cancer survivors have a worse quality of life (QoL) than their general population peers, as well as specific problems in areas such as fertility, sexuality, career, and psychological well‐being. The majority of the few studies who examine psychological distress of AYAs with cancer have found that every fourth patient exceeds distress cutoff values during and after medical treatment . Furthermore, AYAs with cancer who have completed medical treatment are more distressed than age‐matched healthy controls .…”

“…The majority of the few studies who examine psychological distress of AYAs with cancer have found that every fourth patient exceeds distress cutoff values during and after medical treatment. 6,7,[13][14][15] Furthermore, AYAs with cancer who have completed medical treatment are more distressed than age-matched healthy controls. 7,16,17 As far as sociodemographic (eg, gender, age at diagnosis) and medical (eg, treatment status) correlates of psychosocial distress are concerned, current research findings have, to date, been inconsistent.…”

The Relationship between Anxiety and Immunity in Pediatric Oncology Patients

“…We must mention that the number of studies on this subject is still low. 15 Of the 21 patients with anxiety, separation anxiety was present in 47.62% of cases (n = 10), followed by social anxiety in 33.33% of cases (n = 7). No patient has exhibited school anxiety.…”

“…According to the data from the specialty literature, as far as chronic pathologies are concerned, the motherchild bond is stronger under the age of 13 years; furthermore, most patients in this age group have not been separated from their families for long periods of time, thus they have a decreased resistance to separation from the family environment. 15 Separation anxiety is treated according to the age of the child at the time of initial diagnosis, and therapeutic measures often include decorating the hospital room with toys and personal objects from the patient's home. The type of anxiety is correlated with age, and our study found that separation anxiety was more frequent among patients aged…”