Anxiety and depression risk in childhood survivors of ALL

This study looked at the risk of anxiety and depression in patients who survived acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in childhood. The study found that factors such as fatigue, poor sleep, and mental function increased the risk of anxiety and depression in these patients.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of the immune system which most commonly affects young children. It can lead to high levels of tiredness, discomfort, poor sleep, and poor mental function. It is important to research if these factors can lead to anxiety and depression in later life.

105 teenagers and 182 adults who were successfully treated for ALL as children, were included in the study. 52% were female and 48% were male and patients were more than 5 years after diagnosis. A questionnaire was used to measure anxiety and depression.

14% of teenagers reported anxiety and 21% reported depression. 27% of adults reported anxiety and 20% reported depression. Teenagers reported being distressed more frequently than young adults (30% vs. 19%).

In teenagers, distress was associated with sleeping troubles and mental function problems. In the adult group, distress was associated with mental function problems, tiredness or sleeping troubles. Some mental function problems were explained by social, work, and school issues.

The study concluded that health factors in children treated successfully for ALL may lead to anxiety and depression in later life.

More studies need to be done to compare social factors and ALL symptoms in leading to anxiety and depression.