Incidence of Depression and Anxiety in Kidney Cancer Survivors: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Depression and anxiety have a high prevalence (3.3% vs. 2.6%) compared with comparators (n = 173, 471). For among kidney cancer survivors. We aimed to evaluate their cu- the associations, survivors (n = 16, 049) had an increased hazard mulative incidence trajectories and associations between kidney of depression (HR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.52-2.42) and anxiety cancer diagnosis and incidence of these conditions. (HR = 1.63; 95% CI, 1.31-2.02) compared with comparators Methods: This population-based cohort study used the Korean (n = 100, 782) in the first year. During the subsequent 1 to Nationwide Health Insurance and Medical Checkup Linkage 3 years, survivors experienced an increased hazard of anxiety Database. We included adults (≥20 years) diagnosed with (HR = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07-1.62). Trends of decreasing HRs for kidney cancer (2010-2020; i.e., cancer survivors), along with both disorders were observed across successive time intervals. age- and sex-matched noncancer comparators. We quantified Conclusions: Kidney cancer survivors had a higher rate of the empirical risk trajectory of depression and anxiety for up to depression and anxiety, especially during the early phase fol-5 years following diagnosis and conducted weighted Cox re- lowing diagnosis, compared with the noncancer population. gressions to estimate time-dependent HRs with 95% confidence Impact: Our findings emphasize the need for early identifiintervals (CI) within three time intervals: 0 to 1, 1 to 3, and cation and treatment of psychiatric disorders, highlighting the 3 to 5 years. integration of mental health care into oncology settings. They Results: For the empirical risks, survivors (n = 24, 310) also inform future research on prevention and treatment stratehad higher risks of depression (2.8% vs. 2.2%) and anxiety gies, focusing on timing and high-risk groups.