1
|
Vujovic D, Alsen M, Vasan V, Genden E, van Gerwen M. Anxiety and Depression as Potential Predictors for Shorter Time to Undergo Initial Surgical Treatment for Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:545. [PMID: 38339296 PMCID: PMC10854873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: A pre-existing psychiatric condition may impact decision making by patients and/or physicians following a thyroid cancer diagnosis, such as potentially electing surgery over active surveillance, thus shortening the time to cancer removal. This is the first study to investigate the association between pre-existing anxiety and/or depression and time to receive surgical treatment for thyroid cancer. (2) Methods: Retrospective data were collected from 652 surgical thyroid cancer patients at our institution from 2018 to 2020. We investigated the time between thyroid cancer diagnosis and surgery, comparing patients with pre-existing anxiety and/or depression to those without. (3) Results: Patients with anxiety, depression, and both anxiety and depression had a significantly shorter time between diagnosis and surgery (51.6, 57, and 57.4 days, respectively) compared to patients without (111.9 days) (p = 0.002, p = 0.004, p = 0.003, respectively). (4) Conclusions: Although little is known about the impact of pre-existing psychiatric conditions in the decision-making process for thyroid cancer surgery, this present study showed that anxiety and/or depression may lead to more immediate surgical interventions. Thus, psychiatric history may be an important factor for physicians to consider when counseling patients with thyroid cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dragan Vujovic
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (D.V.); (M.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Mathilda Alsen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (D.V.); (M.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Vikram Vasan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (D.V.); (M.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Eric Genden
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (D.V.); (M.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Maaike van Gerwen
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Demanelis K, Rosenzweig M, Robertson LB, Low CA, Daniels S, Abujaradeh H, Simon B, Bovbjerg DH, Diergaarde B. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients in western Pennsylvania: rural-urban disparities. Cancer Causes Control 2023; 34:595-609. [PMID: 37129763 PMCID: PMC10153039 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-023-01696-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Disparities in cancer care persist between patients living in rural versus urban areas. The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted concerns related to care and personal health differently in rural cancer patients. Using survey data collected from cancer patients in western Pennsylvania, we examined pandemic-related distress, concerns related to cancer care, impact on personal health, and the extent to which these differed by urban-rural residence. METHODS Patients filled out an initial survey in August-December 2020; a second survey was completed in March 2021. The following patient concerns related to the pandemic were evaluated: threat of COVID-19 to their health, pandemic-related distress, perceptions of cancer care, and vaccine hesitancy. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine relationships between these outcomes and urban-rural residence as well as patient-related factors, including anxiety symptoms and social support. RESULTS The study sample included 1,980 patients, 17% resided in rural areas. COVID-19 represented a major or catastrophic threat to personal health for 39.7% of rural and 49.0% of urban patients (p = 0.0017). Patients with high general anxiety were 10-times more likely to experience pandemic-related distress (p < 0.001). In the follow-up survey (n = 983), vaccine hesitancy was twice as prevalent among rural patients compared to urban (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS The extent to which perceptions of the threat of COVD-19 to personal health and vaccine hesitancy exacerbates rural-urban disparities in cancer care and prognosis warrants further study. Cancer patients may be vulnerable to heightened anxiety and distress triggered by the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Demanelis
- School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5114 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA.
| | - Margaret Rosenzweig
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5114 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA
- School of Nursing, Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Linda B Robertson
- School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5114 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA
| | - Carissa A Low
- School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5114 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA
| | - Shayla Daniels
- School of Nursing, Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hiba Abujaradeh
- School of Nursing, Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Beth Simon
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5114 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA
| | - Dana H Bovbjerg
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5114 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Brenda Diergaarde
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5114 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA
- School of Public Health, Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu YB, Zuo LJ, Liu YC, Li YP, Xin YC, Zhang HY, Hou LY. Effect of Psychological Intervention on Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients in the Treatment with Radioactive Iodine. Patient Prefer Adherence 2023; 17:731-738. [PMID: 36970302 PMCID: PMC10032163 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s400832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to design a standard method of psychological intervention and evaluate the effect of such psychological intervention against the psychological distress of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients in the treatment with radioactive iodine. METHODS The enrolled patients were randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group. Both the patients in the 2 groups received the routine nursing care, while the patients in the intervention group also received the additional standard psychological interventions. The questionnaires including patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety disorder 7-item (GAD-7), cancer fatigue scale (CFS) and positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) were used to assess psychological status. These questionnaires were performed at week 0 (T0), week 8 (T1, immediately after the last time of intervention) and week 24 (T2, 16 weeks after the intervention). RESULTS PHQ-9, GAD-7, CFS and Negative Affect (NA) scores measured at T1 and T2 in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). And intervention group also had higher positive affect (PA) scores at T1 and T2 (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the changes of PHQ-9, GAD-7, CFS, PA and NA scores from T0 to T1 and T0 to T2 were more evident in the intervention group than in the control group. CONCLUSION Psychological intervention could significantly improve psychological distress of DTC patients in the treatment with radioactive iodine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Bin Liu
- Department of ENT & HN Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, 075000, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Yan-Bin Liu, Department of ENT & HN Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, No. 12, Changqing Street, Qiaoxi District, Zhangjiakou, Hebei, 075000, People’s Republic of China, Email
| | - Li-Juan Zuo
- Department of Endocrine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, 075000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ya-Chao Liu
- Department of ENT & HN Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, 075000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan-Ping Li
- Department of ENT & HN Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, 075000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yun-Chao Xin
- Department of ENT & HN Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, 075000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong-Yan Zhang
- Departmentof Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, 075000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li-Yuan Hou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, 075000, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Qiao T, Gao D, Tong J, Shen Y, Ma J, Lv Z, Li D. Anxiety and depression status prior to radioactive iodine therapy among differentiated thyroid cancer patients during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:10169-10177. [PMID: 36326909 PMCID: PMC9631608 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07422-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Objection The psychological health of thyroid cancer patients cannot be ignored; however, few studies have been conducted on the psychological status and influencing factors of thyroid cancer patients before radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for anxiety and depression in thyroid cancer patients prior to RAI therapy. Methods Clinical data were collected from patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients preparing for RAI therapy. Anxiety and depression were measured before RAI therapy using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We used the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for anxiety and depression. Results A total of 112 patients with thyroid cancer were included. Of these, 72.32% (n = 81) were female, with a mean age of 41.50 years. Anxiety and depression were reported by 46 (41.08%) and 38 (33.93%) patients, respectively. Based on the chi-square test and univariate logistic regression analysis, being female and having ever-experienced RAI therapy were significant risk factors for anxiety and depression among DTCs prior to RAI therapy. On multivariable analysis, the results of model 2 which included age, sex, education level, and ever suffering radioactive iodine therapy showed that being female was markedly associated with anxiety and depression in these patients, while having ever undergone RAI therapy was significantly related to anxiety but not depression. Conclusions The incidence of anxiety and depression among patients with DTC prior to RAI therapy were 41.08% and 33.93%, respectively. Being female and having ever experienced RAI therapy significantly influenced anxiety and depression. Based on these findings, anxiety and depression assessment should be an important part of pre-RAI therapy in patients with DTC, and appropriate psychological nursing intervention can be carried out for key patients. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-022-07422-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Qiao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dingwei Gao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyu Tong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Shen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayue Ma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongwei Lv
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Silveira VB, Schwengber WK, Hetzel GM, Zanella AB, Scheffel RS, Maia AL, Dora JM. Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer in Brazil. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:995329. [PMID: 36277724 PMCID: PMC9581141 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.995329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up visits of patients with thyroid cancer. However, the magnitude with which these restrictions affected the Brazilian health care is still unknown. METHODS Retrospective analysis of thyroid cancer-related procedures performed in the Brazilian public health system from 2019 to 2021. Data were retrieved from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). The following procedures were evaluated: fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs), oncologic thyroidectomies, and radioiodine (RAI) therapies for thyroid cancer. The year of 2019 served as baseline control. RESULTS Compared with 2019, FNABs, oncologic thyroidectomies, and RAI therapies performed in 2020 decreased by 29%, 17% and 28%, respectively. In 2021, compared with 2019, FNABs increased by 2%, and oncologic thyroidectomies and RAI therapies decreased by 5% and 25%, respectively. Most pronounced reductions were observed in the first months of the pandemic. In April 2020, FNABs decreased by 67%, oncologic thyroidectomies by 45%, and RAI therapies by 75%. In 2021, RAI therapies were the only procedure with a statistically significant decrease. CONCLUSION The restrictions to public health care during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant reduction in diagnostic and treatment procedures for thyroid cancer in Brazil. The effects of these transitory gaps in thyroid cancer care, due to COVID-19, are still unclear.
Collapse
|