The relationship between age, anxiety, and depression in older adults with cancer Journal Article


Authors: Weiss Wiesel, T. R.; Nelson, C. J.; Tew, W. P.; Hardt, M.; Mohile, S. G.; Owusu, C.; Klepin, H. D.; Gross, C. P.; Gajra, A.; Lichtman, S. M.; Ramani, R.; Katheria, V.; Zavala, L.; Hurria, A.
Article Title: The relationship between age, anxiety, and depression in older adults with cancer
Abstract: Objective In older men with prostate cancer, aging is associated with reduced anxiety and increased depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the association among age, anxiety, and depression in a cohort of older adults receiving chemotherapy. Methods This is a secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal study investigating chemotherapy toxicity in older adults with cancer. Baseline data (pre-chemotherapy) included: age, sociodemographics, tumor and treatment factors, functional status, comorbidities, psychological state (measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and social support. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the relationship between age, anxiety, and depression. Results The average age of the 500 patients (56% females) was 73.1. The majority had late stage disease: 22% Stage III and 61% stage IV. Clinically significant depression was reported in 12.6%. Clinically significant anxiety was reported in 20.9%. In univariate analyses, there was no association between anxiety and age, or depression and age. In multivariable analyses, older age (p=0.05) was associated with decreased anxiety, as well as lack of social support (p<0.01) and increased number of comorbidities (p<0.01). In multivariable analysis, depression was associated with lack of social support (p<0.01), increased number of comorbidities (p<0.01), and advanced stage (p<0.01). Conclusions This study supports previous research that anxiety decreases with age in older adults with cancer. However, depression remained constant with increasing age. Greater resources and attention to identifying and treating the psychological sequelae of cancer in older adults are warranted. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords: aged; major clinical study; advanced cancer; cancer patient; cancer staging; oncology; age; social support; depression; comorbidity; anxiety; socioeconomics; functional status; hospital anxiety and depression scale; geriatric; older adults; cancer; human; male; female; article
Journal Title: Psycho-Oncology
Volume: 24
Issue: 6
ISSN: 1057-9249
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons  
Date Published: 2015-06-01
Start Page: 712
End Page: 717
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/pon.3638
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC4320028
PUBMED: 25099337
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 2 July 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Stuart Lichtman
    228 Lichtman
  2. William P Tew
    247 Tew
  3. Christian Nelson
    393 Nelson