How common are depression and anxiety among patients with Hodgkin lymphoma?

This study examined how common depression and anxiety are amongst patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) compared to the general population. The authors found that more medications for depression or anxiety are prescribed to patients with HL than to the general population.

Patients who develop or recover from cancer have a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety. This can affect their quality of life. Patients are sometimes treated with psychotropic drugs, including anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, and anti-psychotic medication. The frequency of depression and anxiety in patients varies depending on the type of cancer of the patient had. It is not known how common depression and anxiety are in patients with HL.

Data from 945 patients with HL was compared to data from 4725 people who did not have HL. Patient data was assessed for an average of 7.2 years.

The prescription of medication for depression or anxiety was 2.63 times higher in patients with HL than the general population. 22.8% of patients with HL and 11.5% of the general population were prescribed medication for depression or anxiety. 16.3% of patients with HL and 8.6% of the general population were prescribed anti-depressant medication. 23.9% of patients with HL and 10% of the general population were prescribed anti-anxiety medication. 

Patients aged 31 to 60 were 1.69 times more likely to be prescribed medication for mental problems than patients aged 18 to 30. Patients over 60 were 2.57 times more likely to be prescribed this time if medication than those aged 18 to 30. Patients whose functioning in daily life was reduced due to cancer were 2.19 times more likely to be prescribed medication. Patients with stage III or IV HL were 1.84 times more likely to be prescribed medication than those with stage I or II HL. 

12.4% of patients with HL experienced a return of the cancer (relapse). This group was compared to a smaller number of the general population. 5 years after relapse, 27.1% of patients with HL were prescribed medication for depression or anxiety compared to 7.7% of the general population. 

The authors concluded that depression and anxiety requiring medication was more common in patients with HL compared to the general population.

Because this study used medical prescriptions to study the frequency of depression and anxiety, patients with milder depression or anxiety were not included. The general population may have had other illnesses, which were not accounted for in this study.

If you have concerns regarding depression or anxiety, please consult with your healthcare provider.