Psychiatric comorbidities among endometrial cancer survivors in South Korea: a nationwide population-based, longitudinal study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This longitudinal study aimed to analyze the prevalence of mental disorders in endometrial cancer survivors in South Korea. METHODS: We assessed mental disorders in a nationwide cohort of 8,155 patients who were diagnosed with endometrial cancer between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014. We categorized the prevalence of mental disorders based on age and time of diagnosis. RESULTS: Based on the first diagnosis, mental disorders were identified in 567 (7.0%) among patients with endometrial cancer. Of those patients, 249 (43.9%) were diagnosed with depression and 248 (43.7%) with anxiety. The overall incidence of mental disorders peaked within 2 months after hysterectomy. The rate of stress reaction/adjustment disorder increased most rapidly among the mental disorders after hysterectomy. While depression rates were relatively high among younger individuals (under 50 years), anxiety was more frequent in older people (over 50 years old). In the entire prescription (n=6,034), depression had the highest incidence (n=3,801), followed by anxiety (n=1,774). Over 89% (n=5,362) of the mental disorder treatment claims were from psychiatric medical departments. CONCLUSION: Mental disorders showed different prevalence patterns among endometrial cancer survivors depending on patient age and the nature of the disease. Intensive and personalized management of distress is necessary for endometrial cancer survivors.