Relation between Anxiety and Depression and Personal Attributes or Difficulties in Daily Life in Patients after Total Laryngectomy

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to reveal the relationship between anxiety and depression and personal attributes or difficulties in daily life in patients after total laryngectomy. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to 135 members of a self-help patient group. The questionnaire included the following items: personal attributes, difficulties in daily life, and anxiety and depression (according to the Nottingham Adjustment Scale-Japanese Laryngectomy Version). Multiple regression analysis was conducted with anxiety-depression score as the dependent variable and personal attributes and difficulties in daily life as independent variables. Results: Among the 57 patient respondents, 43 provided valid answers and were selected for analysis (valid response rate: 36.8%, 41 men and 2 women, mean age: 67.5±10.6 years). Results revealed that presence of anxiety and depression were significantly associated with patient age (β=−0.369, p=0.004) and difficulties pertaining to speech/performance during outings and engaging in hobbies (β=0.419, p=0.002). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that there is an increased risk of anxiety and depression in patients are young or middle aged and have difficulties in outings and engaging hobbies. Therefore, in clinical practice, nurses should carefully assess the mental state and difficulties in daily life in these patients after total laryngectomy. Moreover, nurses should continuously provide psychosocial support to patients and their families in order to help patients prevent psychological problems even after they are discharged from hospital.