Open AccessSmoking, drinking, and depression: comorbidity in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy
Author(s) -
McCarter Kristen,
Baker Amanda L.,
Britton Benjamin,
Wolfenden Luke,
Wratten Chris,
Bauer Judith,
Halpin Sean A.,
Carter Gregory,
Beck Alison K.,
Leigh Lucy,
Oldmeadow Christopher
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.1497
Subject(s) - medicine , comorbidity , depression (economics) , radiation therapy , head and neck cancer , randomized controlled trial , alcohol consumption , psychological intervention , physical therapy , psychiatry , alcohol , biochemistry , chemistry , economics , macroeconomics
We aimed to determine the prevalence and co‐occurrence of tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and depressive symptoms among a sample of head and neck cancer ( HNC ) patients undergoing radiotherapy. A total of 307 HNC patients participated in a multi‐site stepped‐wedge randomized controlled trial ( RCT ) evaluating the effectiveness of a dietitian‐delivered health behavior intervention in patients with HNC undergoing radiotherapy. During week one of radiotherapy patients completed measures of smoking, alcohol consumption, and level of depression. Approximately one‐fifth (21%) of patients had two or more co‐occurring problems: current smoking, hazardous alcohol use, and/or likely presence of a major depressive episode ( MDE ). Approximately one‐third (34%) of the sample were current smokers, one‐third (31%) were drinking hazardously and almost one‐fifth (19%) had likely cases of depression. Comorbidity of smoking, hazardous alcohol use, and MDE is high in HNC patients, and interventions need to address this cluster of cancer risk factors.