Predictors of anxiety and depression 2 years following treatment in uveal melanoma survivors.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the role of posttreatment symptoms and functional problems and of worry about recurrent disease (WREC) in predicting probable anxiety and depression cases 24 months after diagnosis in survivors of posterior uveal melanoma. We examined whether WREC mediates links between symptoms, functional problems, and probable anxiety and depression cases.

METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 261 treated uveal melanoma survivors 6, 12, and 24 months after diagnosis. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses predicting anxiety and depression 24 months after diagnosis identified by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale cutoff scores. Symptoms, functional problems, and WREC 6-month posttreatment were entered into the analyses as predictors, then the same variables at 12 months. We controlled anxiety or depression at 6 and 12 months and chromosome 3 status, which accurately predicts 10-year survival. Mediation of links between 6-month symptoms and functional problems and 24-month anxiety and depression by 12-month WREC was tested.

RESULTS: Anxiety caseness at 24 months was predicted by 6-month ocular irritation, headache, and functional problems and 12-month WREC. Depression caseness at 24 months was predicted by 6-month headache and functional problems. Worry about recurrent disease at 12 months mediated prediction of anxiety caseness by 6-month symptoms and functional problems. Chromosome 3 status predicted neither anxiety nor depression.

CONCLUSIONS: Survivors reporting symptoms, functional problems, and WREC should be monitored for anxiety and depression. Appropriate reassurance that symptoms do not signify future disease might help prevent anxiety.