The role of psycho-oncologic screenings in the detection and evaluation of depression in head and neck cancer aftercare patients

Purpose: Cancer and morbidity during a therapeutic regimen can result in somatic and psychiatric impairment. We have evaluated the need of appropriate psychological screening by analyzing a large collective of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with particularly burdensome symptoms. Methods: HNC-aftercare patients were asked about somatic and psychological symptoms by means of standardized questionnaires of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC Q30 and QLQ-H&N35). Patients with poor well-being values on the World Health Organization-5-Well-Being Index were screened for depression by using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and adequate treatment was initiated, if necessary. Results: Our sample consisted of 453 HNC-aftercare patients (average age 64.5 years; 72.0% male; 28.0% female). 25.1% showed abnormalities based on their WHO-5 questionnaire. A current major depressive episode was observed in 8.5% of the total study group. Patients with lip and oral cavity tumors showed the highest depression prevalence (18.9%). Time since initial HNC diagnosis showed no clear trend with regard to the number of depression cases. 50.0% of patients with a current major depressive episode consented to receiving assistance and/or therapy. Within the total study population, the most burdensome symptoms were found to be “dry mouth” (48.3%), “trouble doing strenuous activities” (46.0%), “trouble taking a long walk” (38.5%), and “worry” (35.5%). Aftercare patients with a depression diagnosis tended to have heavier symptom burdens than people without major depression. Conclusions: Despite the various cancer-related burdensome factors, prevalence levels of depression among the HNC-aftercare patients and the general population were similar. Nevertheless, since the number of diagnosed depression cases is high, the need for psychological treatment should be considered within the tumor collective. Furthermore, screening for depression should be implemented in clinical routines by using the appropriate standardized questionnaires.