Anxiety and depression among patients newly diagnosed with lymphoma and myeloma

Although lymphoma and myeloma confer physical and psychological burden, data are limited regarding anxiety and depression symptoms in affected patients. We conducted a survey between July 2021 and September 2022 to characterize anxiety and depression in a cohort of adult patients, within 6 months of a lymphoma or myeloma diagnosis. Clinically significant anxiety and depression symptoms were defined as scores of ≥8 on the corresponding subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. We assessed sociodemographic factors associated with anxiety/depression symptoms and examined the relationship between anxiety/depression symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in multivariable analyses. Our cohort included 200 patients (response rate, 74.9%), of whom 45.5% were female, and 55.5% were aged ≥60 years. Over half of the cohort (56.2%) had clinically significant anxiety and/or depression symptoms, with 52.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 44.9-59.1) meeting the cutoff for anxiety and 27.5% (95% CI, 21.6-34.3) for depression. Lower financial satisfaction (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.43; 95% CI, 1.25-4.78) and greater levels of medical mistrust (AOR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.10-4.02) were associated with higher odds of anxiety. Lower financial satisfaction (AOR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.07-4.30) and lower levels of social support (AOR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.42-6.00) were associated with higher odds of depression. Depression was associated with lower QOL (adjusted mean difference, -22.0; 95% CI, -28.1 to -15.9). More than half of patients newly diagnosed with lymphoma or myeloma experience clinically significant anxiety or depression symptoms, with associated detriment to their QOL. These findings underscore the need for systematic mental health screening and psychological interventions for this population.