Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in Phase I Clinical Trial Oncology Patients at an Academic Cancer Center: A Pilot Study

摘要

Objective: Studies document high rates of depression and anxiety in cancer patients but are lacking for Phase I clinical trial oncology patients. We addressed these issues and mental health treatments received among Phase 1 trial participants at Stephenson Cancer Center, an academic cancer center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Methods: An anonymous voluntary survey was distributed to participants in Phase I clinical oncology trials. Demographics; use of substances; treatments with steroids, pain or thyroid medications; treatments with anxiolytics or antidepressants and counseling; and perceptions of mental health needs were surveyed. PHQ-8 assessed current major depression symptoms and GAD-7 assessed current anxiety. Results: Among 38 respondents, only six (16.8%) met criteria for current depression and/or anxiety, with two patients meeting criteria for both conditions; of these six, three were taking anxiolytics and one was taking an antidepressant. Of the 32 patients (84%) without current anxiety or depression, 22 (68.7% of the healthy group) were taking anxiolytics (n=10) or antidepressants (n=12) in the past 6 months. Only two patients surveyed had seen a counselor in the past 6 months. Fifteen patients (39.5%) surveyed indicated that they needed more mental health treatment. Conclusions: Respondents with refractory cancer had low current symptom levels of depression and anxiety, and were often receiving psychiatric medications that may have accounted for their reported mental health. Use of counseling and support groups was not common. Despite reported mental wellness among respondents, almost 40% felt they needed more mental health treatments. Following patients over time would determine if ratings change with treatment and cancer severity.