Predictors of anxiety and depression in people with colorectal cancer

Gray, N. M., Hall, S. J., Browne, S. , Johnston, M., Lee, A. J., Macleod, U., Mitchell, E. D., Samuel, L. and Campbell, N. C. (2014) Predictors of anxiety and depression in people with colorectal cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 22(2), pp. 307-314. (doi: 10.1007/s00520-013-1963-8) (PMID:24077745)

Abstract

Background: People living with colorectal cancer are at risk of anxiety and depression. We investigated what factors were most highly associated with these. Methods: Four hundred and ninety-six people with colorectal cancer completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data on functioning, symptoms, illness perceptions and social difficulties were collected by questionnaire. Case-note-identified disease, treatment and co-morbidity data were recorded. Multiple logistic regression identified factors independently predictive of anxiety and depression caseness.

Results: Self-reported history of anxiety/depression predicted anxiety but not depression caseness. Depression caseness predicted anxiety caseness (p = 0.043), as did poorer self-reported cognitive functioning (p = 0.001), dyspnoea (p = 0.015) or diarrhoea (p = 0.021), reporting a high negative life and emotional impact (p < 0.001) and having difficulties with finance (p = 0.007). Having neo-adjuvant radiotherapy increased the odds of depression caseness (p = 0.007), as did poorer physical (p = 0.007), cognitive (p < 0.001) and social (p < 0.001) functioning, having constipation (p = 0.011), reporting a high negative life and emotional impact (p < 0.001), having difficulties with personal care (p = 0.022) and communicating with others (p = 0.014).

Conclusion: Levels of anxiety caseness were similar to those of non-clinical samples, but depression caseness was higher, particularly in those who had received neo-adjuvant radiotherapy. Most factors associated with possible or probable depression may be modified with appropriate intervention.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Browne, Dr Susan
• Authors: Gray, N. M., Hall, S. J., Browne, S., Johnston, M., Lee, A. J., Macleod, U., Mitchell, E. D., Samuel, L., and Campbell, N. C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Supportive Care in Cancer
• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
• ISSN: 0941-4355
• ISSN (Online): 1433-7339