A cross‐sectional study of agreement between the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and patient‐ and radiation oncologist–reported single‐item assessment of depression and anxiety

摘要

Abstract Objective To describe among radiation oncology patients: (1) the proportion likely to be experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety as identified by ( a ) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; standardised tool), ( b ) patient‐reported single items (ultrashort tool), and ( c ) radiation oncologist–reported single items (clinician judgement); (2) preferences for being offered psychological support; and (3) agreement between single‐item measures and the HADS. Methods Adult cancer patients (n?=?152; consent rate 58%) receiving radiotherapy completed a touchscreen tablet survey assessing symptoms of anxiety and depression (HADS and a single‐item tool) and support preferences. Each participant's treating radiation oncologist completed a survey assessing his or her perception of whether the patient was anxious or depressed. Results Prevalence estimates for likely depression (6.9‐18%) and anxiety (17‐33%) overlapped across the 3 measures. Overall, only 9.9% of patients (95% CI, 5.6%‐16%) wanted to be offered psychological support. For depression, agreement between the HADS and ultrashort tool was fair (κ?=?0.37, P ??0.0001); agreement between the HADS and clinician judgement was slight (κ?=?0.14, P ??0.05). For anxiety, agreement between the HADS and clinician judgement was not significantly greater than chance alone (κ?=?0.04, P ?=?0.33), and agreement between the HADS and ultrashort tool was moderate (κ?=?0.49, P ??0.0001). Conclusions These findings highlight the important role that oncology consultations play in interpreting assessment tool results and responding to individual patient's history and preferences for psychological support.