A Screening Algorithm For Early Detection of Major Depressive Disorder in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Post-Treatment: Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Objective

The primary purpose of this study was to identify predictors of Major Depressive Disorder in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients in the immediate post-treatment period (i.e., at three months post-diagnosis), with a focus on previously unexamined historical and contextual factors.

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study of 223 consecutive adults (72% participation) newly diagnosed with a first occurrence of primary HNC, including validated psychometric measures, Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM Disorders, and medical chart reviews.

Results

The three-month period prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder was 20.4%; with point prevalences of 6.8% upon HNC diagnosis, 14.2% at three months, and 22.6% lifetime. Patients most susceptible to developing Major Depressive Disorder in the immediate post-treatment period: were diagnosed with advanced- rather than early-stage cancer (O.R.=4.94, p=0.04), received surgery only (O.R.=8.73, p=0.04), presented a lifetime history of Anxiety Disorder on SCID-I (O.R.=6.62; p=0.01), and indicated higher pre-treatment levels of anxiety on the HADS (O.R.=0.45, p=0.05).

Conclusions

Our results outline the predominant role of anxiety upon diagnosis as a precursor to post-treatment Major Depressive Disorder, suggesting the need for identification and prophylactic treatment of anxiety upon diagnosis in head and neck cancer patients. Further investigation into pathways by which pre-treatment anxiety predisposes to post-treatment Major Depressive Disorder in this population is warranted.

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