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Psycho-Oncology

Session:: BRIEF ORAL PAPERS: Oncology/HIV/Other

Anticipating Mental Health Needs in Breast Cancer Survivors Using Patient-reported Symptom Screening

Friday, November 12, 2021
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM US Eastern Time
Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the utility of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to predict mental health needs in patients with breast cancer during post-chemotherapy follow-up care.

Methods: In a sample of women with non-metastatic breast cancer, associations between patient-reported depression and anxiety at end of chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy mental health needs were evaluated using log-binomial regression adjusted for functional status, social activity limitations, and time from chemotherapy.

Results: In a sample of 149 women, 40% reported at least mild depressive symptoms and 52% reported at least mild anxiety at the end of chemotherapy. Over an average 3.2-years post-chemotherapy (range: 0.7 - 5.6 years), 23% received new psychiatric diagnoses, 21% engaged in mental health specialty care, and 62% were prescribed psychotropic medications. End of chemotherapy depression and anxiety were associated with future prescription of psychotropic medications (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.14-2.03), as well as greater number of psychotropics. Associations were strongest with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [(depression: RR 4.75; 95% CI 2.06-10.95); (anxiety: RR 3.68; 95% CI 1.62-8.36); (depression and anxiety: RR 2.98; 95% CI 1.65-5.36)]. 

Conclusion: Diagnosis of and treatment for depression and anxiety are common among women with breast cancer after completing chemotherapy. Prescriptions for psychotropic medications during the first few years after systemic chemotherapy can be anticipated by depression and anxiety screening at end of chemotherapy.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the prevalence of depression and anxiety at the end of chemotherapy in breast cancer survivors

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Zev Nakamura, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

    PDF

    • Co-Author(s)

  • ED

    Emily Damone, BS

    PhD Candidate
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

  • Hannah Herrick, BS

    Research Assistant
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

  • KN

    Kirsten Nyrop, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

  • AD

    Allison Deal, MS

    Biostatistician
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

  • AB

    Addison Brenizer, BA

    Research Specialist
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

  • HM

    Hyman Muss, MD

    Professor
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States