Mental Health and Quality of Life of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Prior to and After Radioactive Iodine Treatment: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Although patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) have a good prognosis, their long-term clinical course can influence their mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, few studies have evaluated mental health–related factors influencing subsequent HRQoL in this population.Methods In this 1-month cohort study, we evaluated the depressive and anxiety symptoms and HRQoL of patients with DTC and examined possible predictors of further HRQoL impairment. In total, 181 patients completed a questionnaire self-rating their mental health status (the Chinese Health Questionnaire [CHQ] and Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire [TDQ]) and HRQoL (the 36-item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) at baseline and 1 month after RAI therapy.Results Compared with the Taiwanese general population, the patients with DTC reported worse HRQoL in all dimensions of the SF-36. Multivariate regression models indicated that anxiety and depressive symptoms were both inversely correlated with some dimensions (physical functioning, bodily pain, and general health perceptions for CHQ; role limitations due to physical problems, and social functioning for TDQ). However, a psychiatric follow-up and treatment history was significantly associated with physical functioning and role limitations due to the physical problem dimensions of their HRQoL.Conclusions In conclusion, although anxiety and depressive symptoms may negatively affect certain domains of HRQoL, psychiatric follow-up can improve the physical dimension.