Mental disorders and utilization of mental health services in newly diagnosed cancer patients: an analysis of German health insurance claims data
Menée en Allemagne sur la période 2001-2014, cette étude analyse la présence de troubles psychiques chez des patients atteints d'un cancer récemment diagnostiqué et les facteurs associés à leur utilisation de services et de soins psychosociaux
Objective : People with cancer are often confronted not only with the burdens of medical treatment but also with psychological strain, which can lead to mental disorders (MD). To date, the prevalence of MD in newly diagnosed cancer patients and their utilization of mental health services (MHS) are mainly estimated through data of primary studies than considering healthcare-related claims data. Methods : Statutory health insurance claims data of the AOK/KV Hesse from 2011 to 2014 was analyzed. The number of incident cancer patients with MD and the utilization of MHS within the period of the quarter of incident cancer diagnosis and three subsequent quarters were determined. For incident cancer patients with an incident MD, the predictive values of sex, age group, and tumor entity on the documentation of MD diagnosis and utilization were investigated. Results : The 12-month prevalence of MD in incident cancer patients was 31.1% for depression, 11.2% for anxiety disorders and 9.2% for posttraumatic stress/adjustment disorder (PTSD/AD). Of these, 65.9% received outpatient psychotherapy and 43.0% at least one psychopharmacological drug prescription. Men had a significantly lower chance of receiving an MD diagnosis following cancer. Conclusions : The prevalence of MD observed was higher for depression and lower for PTSD/AD compared to meta-analyses of clinical trials. Male cancer patients had a lower chance of receiving an MD diagnosis than females, which coincides with existing results.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Psycho-Oncology 2020