Psychological features and quality of life in low-dose CT lung cancer screening: a comparative analysis with general...

Concerns persist regarding the psychological effects of low dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening, with prior studies linking it to psychological distress and diminished quality of life (QoL). However, specific risk factors remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the psychological features of LDCT recipients with the general population and identify associated factors.

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using prospectively collected data from April 2022 to April 2023. Participants seeking second opinions at a tertiary medical center in Asia after LDCT screenings were recruited. We collected sociodemographic data, screening details, and self-administered questionnaires assessing somatic symptoms, health anxiety, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Psychological conditions and QoL were compared between LDCT recipients and a general population cohort comprising 3161 individuals.

We compared 201 LDCT recipients (30.8% male, mean age 56.6 years) with 3161 general population controls. Compared to the general population (adjusted for age and sex), LDCT recipients had significantly higher rates of somatic symptom disorder (28.9% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.001), depression (16.4% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.001), and anxiety (20.9% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001). Among 103 participants undergoing surgical intervention, 85.4% were diagnosed with malignant or precancerous lesions. The 3-year overall survival rate was 98.0%, indicating favorable clinical outcomes.

LDCT recipients in an Asian population exhibited a higher prevalence of psychological distress than the general population. Close monitoring is essential, especially among those with pre-existing mental health issues. Future longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate long-term psychological outcomes of LDCT screening.