P22.18.A THE SEVERITY OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH LOW-GRADE GLIOMAS

• Published in: Neuro-oncology (Charlottesville, Va.) Va.), 2024-10, Vol.26 (Supplement_5), p.v127-v127
• Main Authors: Olejnik, A, Bala, A, Dziedzic, T, Marchel, A, Kunert, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1522-8517; 1523-5866
• DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noae144.432

Abstract BACKGROUND Depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life are frequent problems in patients with brain tumors. Objective of the current study was to examine quality of life level and its correlation with different clinical and demographic factors among patients diagnosed with Low Grade Gliomas (LGG). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 55 individuals with a possible diagnosis of low-grade glioma based on MRI examination. The final analysis included only the data collected from 48 patients whose diagnosis of LGG was confirmed by histological and genetic examination, as well as 48 demographically matched healthy control individuals. Before the surgical procedure, when neither the histological nor the genetic diagnosis had been established, each patient filled out a questionnaire to ensure the outcomes would not be affected by this information. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHO-QoL-BREF), and a demographic-clinical questionnaire were used in the study. RESULTS Intergroup comparisons indicated that patients with LGG reported a lower quality of life than healthy individuals (p < 0.05). According to the HADS scale responses, patients with LGG experienced significantly more severe depression and anxiety symptoms, than healthy individuals (p < 0.001). Correlational analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between almost all subscales of quality of life and the severity of depression symptoms: QoL - physical scale (p < 0.05), QoL - psychological scale (p < 0.05), QoL - social scale (p < 0.05). Additionally, older patients reported a poorer quality of life compared to younger patients. The gender of the participants did not correlate with the quality of life. CONCLUSION Patients with LGG experience a decline in quality of life. Objective neurological deficits, epilepsy, as well as awareness of the cancer diagnosis, may be associated with the occurrence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, such as low mood, loss of interest, difficulties in social functioning. Acknowledging these factors and integrating them into the care of patients with LGG is essential for providing sufficient psychological support and improving their psychological well-being. Further research is necessary to assess the quality of life of patients after surgery, to exclude the impact of stress associated with waiting for the procedure, as well as to assess potential changes in quality of life