Depression, anxiety, and patterns of mental health care among men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)

Journal article extract: Journal of Clinical Oncology Volume 38 Supplement 2020

Phoebe A. Tsao, Ryan Ross, Amy S. B. Bohnert, Bhramar Mukherjee, and Megan Veresh Caram

DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.12100

“Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety, raising the concern that a substantial portion of men with prostate cancer need mental health care. We sought to investigate the development of depression or anxiety and subsequent patterns of mental health care in men with prostate cancer on ADT. Results showed that among 37,388 men in the final analytic cohort, 11.3% received new diagnoses of depression or anxiety. Those who received a diagnosis of depression or anxiety were more likely to be white; no differences were noted in age, education, or household income. Among those with a new diagnosis of depression or anxiety, 34.9% a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, 11.6% a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, and 19.9% a benzodiazepine, a drug class with risks of dependence, cognitive impairment, falls, and fractures. Receipt of psychotherapy was rare (0.07%). Further investigation into how to improve the mental health care of men on ADT is needed.”