Trajectories of distress in women with gynaecological cancer treated with curative-intent radiotherapy.

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate trajectories of anxiety and depression symptoms among gynaecological cancer (GC) patients having curative-intent radiotherapy (RT) treatment and identify which patient characteristics predict anxiety and depression trajectories.

Methods and measures: Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify unique trajectories of anxiety and depression symptoms, spanning prior to the start of RT until 12-month post-RT, among 151 GC patients in the PeNTAGOn randomized control trial. Demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed at baseline, and anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed five times over 12 months. A bias-adjusted 3-step maximum likelihood approach was used to identify demographic and clinical predictors of trajectory profiles.

Results: Four latent profiles each were identified for anxiety and depression trajectories. Most patients had minimal to mild levels of anxiety or depression that remained steady or declined over 12 months following treatment. A minority of patients were in profiles that exhibited clinically significant distress; either 'High fluctuating' anxiety or 'Mild-moderate fluctuating' depression. Anxiety and depression profiles were predicted by clinical and demographic factors, such as age, living arrangements, RT type, cancer stage, physical symptom distress and use of support services.

Conclusions: Psychological care of patients in the higher distress trajectories is paramount and, importantly, they could be identified prior to treatment based on the factors identified. Review for at least a month post-RT is warranted.