In a study published online on April 6 in Cancer, the prevalence of depression and anxiety increased among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).
The team of Dr. Floortje Mols from the University of Tilburg in the Netherlands examined the symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with CRC. Between 2000 and 2013, 2,625 patients diagnosed with CRC completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the European Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, which included a sample of 315 individuals with age and gender matching specifications.
The researchers found that patients reported significantly higher prevalence of depression (19% vs 12.8%) and anxiety disorder (20.9% vs 11.8%) compared to the standard sample. The longer the diagnosis of cancer, the more the depression symptoms are reduced; the older men are less likely to be anxious, but they are more prone to depression; the married patients’ anxiety and depression are reduced; the lower the education level, the more comorbid diseases, the more anxiety and depression. Severe anxiety and depression symptoms are associated with lower global quality of life, physical condition, role, cognition, mood, and social function.
Therefore, screening and referral are the most important, especially for those who are single, have low education, and have many comorbidities.
