3009 - Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy: A Longitudinal Study
Presenter(s)
S. J. Wang1, X. Feng2, W. Zhang2, G. Sun2, H. Fang2, Y. Tang2, T. Li3, H. Jing2, S. Qi2, Y. W. Song2, W. Zhang2, N. N. Lu2, Y. Tang2, Y. Liu2, B. Chen2, X. Liu2, Y. X. Li2, Y. Zhai2, and S. Wang2; 1State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer & Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China, 2State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/ Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China, 3Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
Purpose/Objective(s): The purpose was: (1) to evaluate the prevalence of and changes in depression and anxiety among patients with breast cancer before radiotherapy (pre-RT) through 6 months post-RT; and (2) to identify risk factors associated with baseline depression and anxiety and higher levels of depression and anxiety over time.
Materials/Methods: This prospective, longitudinal observational study was conducted in China between August 2022 and August 2023. Depression and anxiety were measured, respectively, by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), before RT and 1 month and 6 months post-RT. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to explore risk factors for baseline depression and anxiety. Generalized Estimating Equations were performed to evaluate changes in depression and anxiety and risk factors for higher levels of them over time.
Results: A total of 504 patients completed baseline questionnaires (response rate = 90.9%). The prevalence of depression and anxiety decreased significantly over time, from 37.3% and 26.0%, respectively, before RT, to 28.4% and 20.3% 6 months post-RT. Having a family history of cancer and receiving anti-HER2 targeted therapy were independently associated with depression before RT, and premenopausal status, poor family income, and self-reported menopausal symptoms were independently associated with both depression and anxiety before RT. Receiving anti-HER2 targeted therapy, having a lower personal income, and living in rural areas were associated with higher depression levels over time, whereas, poor family income and self-reported menopausal symptoms were associated with higher anxiety levels over time.
Conclusion: Depression and anxiety levels were high among patients with breast cancer who received RT and decreased over time from pre-RT to 6 months post-RT. Routine screening is necessary, especially for patients with a family history of cancer, poor financial status, premenopausal status, menopausal symptoms, receiving anti-HER2 targeted therapy, and living in rural areas.