Baseline depression predicts malnutrition in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

Psychological factors associated with head and neck cancer treatment and survivorship: evidence and opportunities for behavioral medicine

Individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC) not only face a potentially life-threatening diagnosis but must endure treatment that often results in significant, highly visible disfigurement and disruptions of essential functioning, such as deficits or complications in eating, swallowing, breathing, and speech. Each year, approximately 650,000 new cases are diagnosed, making HNC the 6th most common type of cancer in the world. Despite this, however, HNC remains understudied in behavioral medicine. In this article, the authors review available evidence regarding several important psychosocial and behavioral factors associated with HNC diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, as well as various psychosocial interventions conducted in this patient population, before concluding with opportunities for behavioral medicine research and practice.

The identification of mood and anxiety concerns using the patients concerns inventory following head and neck cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent use of the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) and the University of Washington Quality of life instruments (UW-QOL), as a means of identifying mood and anxiety concerns in patients following head and neck cancer treatment. From August 2007 to July 2009, 204 patients (454 clinic appointments) attending one consultant's oncology review clinic completed the UW-QOLv4 and PCI prior to their consultation. Before entering consultations, 17% (79/454) of patients reported problems with mood and 20% (89/454) reported problems with anxiety on the UW-QOL. Regarding the items raised by patients using the PCI prior to consultation, 'mood' was raised in 10% (46/454), 'anxiety' in 13% (58/454) and 'depression' in 10% (44/454) of cases. In 32% (145/454) of consultations, 44% (89/204) patients had reported significant anxiety or mood problems on the UW-QOL, or highlighted issues of anxiety, mood and/or depression on the PCI for discussion. Patients completing the PCI were more often referred to the clinical psychologist and to the emotional support worker. The results showed that the combination of the UW-QOL questionnaire and the PCI provide a practical means of screening for psychological distress in clinics.

Nutritional and psychosocial status of colorectal cancer patients referred to an outpatient oncology clinic

PURPOSE

Malnutrition and psychological distress are associated with poorer outcomes following treatment for colorectal cancer. Screening for issues such as malnutrition, depression, and anxiety is being adopted in some oncology settings, but its effectiveness or the relationship between these risk factors in this population are not well understood.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted of 836 health assessment forms provided to colorectal cancer patients referred to an outpatient oncology clinic. Nutritional (Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment) and psychological (Psychosocial Screen for Cancer) screening tools were included in the form. Demographic and screening tool information was obtained from completed forms. The prevalence of nutritional risk, depression, and anxiety were determined based on screening tool scores and clinical cutoffs. An ordinal regression model was fitted to determine which demographic and psychosocial factors best predicted nutritional risk.

RESULTS

Only 252 (30%) of the forms were completed enough for inclusion in analysis. The prevalence of nutritional risk, anxiety, and depression were determined to be 29%, 10%, and 7%, respectively. A regression model containing the variables depression, anxiety, gender, health coverage, and marital status was found to best explain the nutritional score. Depression was the most significant predictor, with odds of increased nutritional risk being 5.6 times greater for depressed individuals (P = 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of nutritional and psychosocial screening tools is warranted and needs to be emphasized more in oncology settings. There appears to be a relationship between psychosocial issues and increased nutritional risk which should be taken into account when considering cancer care interventions.