Depression Among Patients With Laryngeal Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The treatment of laryngeal cancer often results in alterations of speech and swallowing, which may contribute to the development of depression in this patient population and subsequently affect treatment outcomes and survivorship. This study aims to determine the prevalence of depression in patients with laryngeal cancer and identify contributing risk factors.

Patients with laryngeal cancer were identified using ICD-10 codes within the TriNetX Research Network. Patients were stratified by treatment type (surgical versus non-surgical), age, socioeconomic (SES) risk factors, and post-treatment side effects. The effect of these factors on the development of depression was analyzed while controlling for cancer stage.

Briefly, 93,018 patients with laryngeal cancer were identified. These patients had a significantly higher risk of depression compared to the overall head and neck cancer population (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: [1.12, 1.18]). Patients under 70 were more likely to develop depression than those over 70 (RR = 1.27, 95% CI: [1.22, 1.33]). SES risk factors were associated with over double the risk of depression (RR = 2.67, 95% CI: [2.42, 2.97]). Surgical treatment conferred a higher risk than non-surgical treatment modalities (RR = 1.54, 95% CI: [1.41, 1.68]). Patients who experienced long-term complications such as dysphagia, xerostomia, or malnutrition had a 7.62% increased risk of depression (p < 0.01).

Patients with laryngeal cancer face a uniquely high risk of developing post-treatment depression. Future studies evaluating optimal screening protocols and supportive care strategies may help improve mental health care in this population.