Premium
Prediction of depressive symptomatology after treatment of head and neck cancer: The influence of pre‐treatment physical and depressive symptoms, coping, and social support
Author(s) -
de Leeuw J. Rob J.,
de Graeff Alexander,
Ros Wynand J. G.,
Blijham Geert H.,
Hordijk GertJan,
Winnubst Jacques A. M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0347(200012)22:8<799::aid-hed9>3.0.co;2-e
Subject(s) - psychosocial , coping (psychology) , head and neck cancer , social support , depressive symptoms , depression (economics) , medicine , clinical psychology , avoidance coping , cancer treatment , prospective cohort study , psychiatry , physical therapy , psychology , cancer , radiation therapy , anxiety , surgery , psychotherapist , economics , macroeconomics
Abstract Background Head and neck cancer and its treatment can have important psychosocial implications, and many patients become depressed. The aim of this prospective study is to examine whether pretreatment variables can be used to predict depression 6 and 12 months later. Methods Head and neck cancer patients (155) treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy completed a questionnaire including items on social support, coping, depressive symptoms, physical functioning, and physical symptoms before and after treatment. Results By using 5 variables (physical symptoms, depressive symptoms, emotional support, extent of the social network, and avoidance coping), it was possible to predict those patients who would have symptoms at 6 (81%) and 12 months (67%) after treatment. Inclusion of actual physical symptoms reported at follow‐up increased these percentages to 89% and 82%. Conclusions It is concluded that screening for psychosocial variables and physical symptoms before treatment can be used to determine which patients are at risk of developing depressive symptoms after treatment. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 22: 799–807, 2000.