Psychiatric disorders after first-time cancer diagnosis: A Sistematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer patients are at increased risk of developing signs, symptoms, psychiatric disorders, and suicide. The objective of this systematic review was to collect evidence regarding psychiatric disorders after the first oncological diagnosis and obtain quality information on their frequency, impact on the patient, and treatment in the world.

Methodology: Systematic review of the literature published from January 2016 to March 2021. The sources of information were articles from journals indexed in databases, such as PubMed, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar. Scientific papers on psychiatric disorders after cancer diagnosis were included; from 2016 to March 2021; in Spanish or English, original, with an observational, analytical, prospective, retrospective, cross-sectional, case series, systematic review, and meta-analysis design, with a level of quality of evidence according to the GRADE system "High and Moderate" and a grade of compliance with CONSORT, PRISMA-p, or STROBE > 75%.

Results: Nineteen articles were included, with a total population of 6,377,483 adult patients. Among the most frequent mental disorders were anxiety (1.8%-78.8%), depression (4.2%-61.1%), and stress (1.9%-56.1%). The appearance of these disorders was related to more significant symptoms and worse prognosis, increased hospital visits, and higher mortality (P < 0.05). The psychotherapeutic approach must be personalized and strengthen resilience, self-esteem, coping, and crisis resolution.

Conclusion: Psychiatric disorders after the first oncological diagnosis are frequent; they hurt patients’ prognosis and quality of life. Timely diagnosis and treatment are necessary through a personalized psychotherapeutic scheme for each patient.