Common mental disorders in Taiwanese consumers of commercial low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening: Comparison with a nationally representative sample

We examined the prevalence of probable common mental disorders (CMDs) in commercial low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening consumers relative to the general population and to determine the correlates of probable CMDs among screening participants.

Commercial LDCT lung cancer screening consumers (N = 1323) were compared with a nationally representative sample from the Taiwan Social Change Survey (TSCS) (N = 2034). Respondents scoring ≥3 on the Chinese Health Questionnaire were classified as having a probable CMD. Logistic regression was used to investigate differences between the two groups and correlates of probable CMDs among LDCT lung cancer screening participants.

The prevalence of probable CMDs was higher among LDCT lung cancer screening participants (25.47%) than among TSCS adults (21.56%). Compared with the TSCS sample, the screening participants had a higher probability of CMDs (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.13-1.73), higher education levels (OR = 7.95, 95% CI = 6.00-10.53), and a history of drinking (OR = 11.85, 95% CI = 9.45-14.85) or betel-quid use (OR = 5.43, 95% CI = 3.98-7.42) but were less likely to smoke (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.40-0.68). Among the screening participants, being female (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.02-1.84) and a current smoker (OR = 1.74, 1.19-2.54) and living near ≥2 smoking family members (OR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.57-3.38) were associated with an increased likelihood of having CMDs.

Commercial LDCT lung cancer screening users may have a positive association with probable CMDs compared to the general population. Screening programs should consider including criteria and providing psychoeducation to improve the physical and mental outcomes of participants.

Purely observational studies (those in which the assignment of the medical intervention is not at the discretion of the investigator) do not require registration.