Human papillomavirus tumour status is not associated with a positive depression screen for patients with oropharyngeal cancer.

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Human papillomavirus tumour status is not associated with a positive depression screen for patients with oropharyngeal cancer.

J Laryngol Otol. 2017 Jul 19;:1-8

Authors: Qualliotine JR, Califano JA, Li RJ, Gold D, Messing B, Lee G, Ha P, Fakhry C

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several risk factors for depression in patients with oropharyngeal cancer have been determined. However, it is unknown whether human papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal cancer, which has a distinct clinico-demographic profile, modulates this risk.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with oropharyngeal cancer. These patients had completed a 10-item depression screening questionnaire before receiving treatment for their disease from 2011 to 2014. Associations between patient or disease characteristics and depression screening questionnaire results were investigated.
RESULTS: The study comprised 69 patients, 31 (44.9 per cent) of whom screened positive for depression. There were no significant differences in distributions of clinico-demographic or histopathological characteristics, including human papillomavirus tumour status, by depression screen result.
CONCLUSION: This population has a high risk for depression, but no obvious risk factors, including human papillomavirus tumour status, were associated with an elevated risk. This inability to risk-stratify patients by clinico-demographic or disease characteristics emphasises the importance of regular depression screening for all patients in this population.

PMID: 28720154 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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