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Supportive Care in Cancer

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Open Access 01-04-2022 | Adjustment Disorder | Original Article

Trajectories of adjustment disorder symptoms in post-treatment breast cancer survivors

Authors: Lonneke M. A. Wijnhoven, José A. E. Custers, Linda Kwakkenbos, Judith B. Prins

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 4/2022

Abstract

Objective

Breast cancer survivors (BCS) may experience problems to adjust to their situation after cancer treatment completion. In case of severe distress, an adjustment disorder (AD) might develop. This study investigates the course of AD symptoms during 1 year and its predictors in BCS up to 5 years post-treatment.

Methods

BCS completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. HADS total scores were defined as no mental disorder (MD) symptoms (≤ 10), AD symptoms (11–14), and any other MD symptoms (≥ 15). Over the course of four assessments, symptom trajectories were a priori defined as no MD symptoms, AD symptoms, fluctuating AD symptoms below and above cut-offs, or any other MD symptoms. Complementary, latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was used to identify data-driven trajectories.

Results

Among 293 BCS with complete data, the majority was classified as no MD symptoms (54.4%), followed by 37.5% in the fluctuating AD symptoms trajectory. Only 1.4% had AD symptoms, and 6.8% had any other MD symptoms. With LCGA (N = 459), three trajectories were found: stable no MD symptoms (58.6%), stable AD symptoms (32.9%), and high increasing any other MD symptoms (8.5%). Compared to BCS with no MD symptoms, BCS with fluctuating AD symptoms or any other MD symptoms were younger, less able to handle daily activities, and showed more social support discrepancy, neuroticism, and less optimism.

Conclusions

Results of our study showed that AD symptoms in BCS up to 5 years post-treatment fluctuate over 1 year. It is thus important to appropriately assess AD over the course of 5 years post-treatment as AD symptoms can fluctuate.

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Title: Trajectories of adjustment disorder symptoms in post-treatment breast cancer survivors
Authors: Lonneke M. A. Wijnhoven
José A. E. Custers
Linda Kwakkenbos
Judith B. Prins
Publication date: 01-04-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Adjustment Disorder
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-06806-z

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