Behavioral Risk Factors and Mood Disorders in Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Seiichi Villalona, Carlos Chavez Perez, E. Paul Wileyto, Samuel Takvorian, Peter Gabriel, Abigail Doucette, Daniel Blumenthal, Robert Schnoll
Primary Institution: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Individuals with a history of smoking and/or HPV associated cancer experience higher odds of developing a new mood-related psychiatric disorder post-cancer diagnosis.
Conclusion
Individual behavioral risk factors increase the risk of new mood-related psychiatric disorders after being diagnosed with cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- 3033 individuals (26%) developed a clinically significant mood-related psychiatric disorder after being diagnosed with cancer.
- Females and younger patients were at a higher risk for developing new mood-related disorders.
- Current smokers had a significantly higher risk of new mood-related psychiatric disorders post-cancer diagnosis.
Takeaway
This study found that people who smoke or have certain types of cancer are more likely to feel very sad or anxious after being diagnosed with cancer.
Methodology
Single-center retrospective cohort study using time-to-event analysis and Cox proportional hazards model.
Potential Biases
Selection bias may have occurred due to exclusion of cases with missing data.
Limitations
The study was conducted at a single cancer center, which may limit generalizability, and it did not molecularly verify HPV status.
Participant Demographics
The sample was predominantly female (58.5%), non-Hispanic White (71.7%), and included individuals aged over 18 diagnosed with various cancers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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