Depression and Anxiety in Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Amy Y. Zhang, Gregory S. Cooper
Primary Institution: Case Western Reserve University
Hypothesis
What are the diagnostic rates of depressive and anxiety disorders in elderly colorectal cancer patients in the Medicare system?
Conclusion
The study found low diagnostic rates of depressive and anxiety disorders among elderly colorectal cancer patients compared to noncancer patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Diagnostic rates of depressive disorders ranged from 1.5% to 1.8% for colorectal cancer patients.
- More than 70% of colorectal cancer outpatients with a depressive diagnosis were diagnosed with depressive disorder NOS.
- The study found that the diagnostic rates for anxiety states were lower in colorectal cancer patients compared to noncancer patients.
- Female colorectal cancer patients were found to be more depressed than male patients.
- Older patients (85+) had higher rates of depressive disorders compared to younger patients (65-74).
- Diagnostic rates were significantly lower for newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients compared to noncancer patients.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many older people with colorectal cancer are diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and found that not many are being diagnosed.
Methodology
The study used linked SEER-Medicare data to analyze diagnostic rates of depressive and anxiety disorders among colorectal cancer patients aged 65 and older.
Potential Biases
There is a risk of under-recognition of depression and anxiety due to cultural differences and the nature of cancer treatment.
Limitations
The study relied on claims data which may not perfectly reflect clinical diagnoses, and some patients may have received treatment without formal diagnoses.
Participant Demographics
The sample included slightly more women (53.4%) than men, with 43% aged 65-74, 41% aged 75-84, and 16.3% aged 85 or older.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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