Pilot study of anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with the diagnosis of metastatic uveal melanoma

Abstract

Introduction Awareness of a patient's anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in those with metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM) can influence care that meets patients' bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs. Objectives To measure the level of anxiety, depression, and QOL in MUM patients and explore differences by gender, age range, time to metastatic disease, and duration of illness since metastasis. Methods We used a descriptive-comparative design. From 9/1/2017 - 12/1/ 2017, a convenience sample of 70 MUM patients aged >= 18 years, treated at a Mid-Atlantic hospital were invited to complete a combined survey of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Results There were 65 respondents (93% response rate). 30.8% (n=20) had at least borderline anxiety, 13.8% (n=9) had at least borderline depression, and 32.3% (n=21) had a decrease in global QOL. Patients aged 18 to < 1 year [7.79 +/- 3.72], >1 year to <5 years [5.75 +/- 3.45], > 5 years [3.70 +/- 2.79]; p=0.01). No differences were found by gender or time to metastatic disease. Conclusions Up to 30% of participants had at least borderline anxiety and a decreased global QOL while up to 10% had at least borderline depression. These findings support the integration of bio-psycho-social-spiritual practices in the care of MUM patients.