Asian Oncol Nurs.  2012 Dec;12(4):297-304. 10.5388/aon.2012.12.4.297.

Effect of Depression and Anxiety on Symptoms in Thyroid Cancer Patients Undergoing Radioactive Iodine (I131) Therapy

• Chun N

• KMID: 2168795
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2012.12.4.297

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to identify the symptom severity, interference and their psychological predictors in thyroid cancer patients hospitalized for radioactive iodine administration.
METHODS
One hundred seventy-seven thyroid cancer patients admitted to the isolation room for Iodine (I131) therapy were recruited. Subjects were asked to complete the questionnaire on core symptoms, thyroid cancer symptoms, interference, depression and state anxiety in the evening after receiving radioactive iodine therapy. Data was analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression with SPSS vs. 19.
RESULTS
Lack of appetite, drowsiness, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and nausea were the 5 most core symptoms. More than 20% of patients experienced moderate to severe thyroid cancer symptoms including feeling cold, hoarseness, swallowing difficulty, and feeling hot. More than 30% of subjects experienced moderate to severe interferences in mood, general activity, and 22% in walking. Depression and state anxiety were identified as predictors of core symptoms, thyroid symptom severity and interference.
CONCLUSION
Nursing interventions to reduce the symptom severity and interference need to be developed by considering thyroid cancer patients' depression and anxiety when hospitalized in the isolation room for radioactive iodine administration.

Keyword

Thyroid Neoplasms; Symptoms; Depression; Anxiety

MeSH Terms

Anxiety*
Appetite
Deglutition
Depression*
Fatigue
Hoarseness
Humans
Iodine*
Nausea
Nursing
Sleep Stages
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Neoplasms*
Walking
Iodine

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