Four weeks of daily assessments of anxiety, depression and activity compared to a point assessment with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

• Objectives To explore to what extent the daily reporting of anxiety, depression and activity in a diary mirrors scores on point assessments with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale ( HADS). Methods In a randomized intervention study consecutive breast cancer patients ( n = 179) about to start adjuvant therapy were included. The HADS questionnaires were sent to patients 3 and 12 months after inclusion. Daily reporting of anxiety, depression and activity on Visual Analogue Scales ( VAS) were completed during 4 weeks surrounding the HADS assessments. Results The results showed moderate correlations ( r = -0.36 to -0.67, P < 0.01) at both assessments. The daily reports were consistent over 4 weeks and did not differ between assessments. Mean scores on the HAD-Anxiety were 4.00 at the 3 months and 5.07 at the 12 months assessment. For the HAD-Depression the mean scores at the same assessment points were 3.61 and 3.23, respectively. The daily reports put more strain on the respondents and produced a larger attrition rate than the HADS. Conclusion A point assessment with the HADS captures the situation of breast cancer patients' equivalent to 4 weeks assessment in a diary, but is easier to complete and is therefore preferable to the diary.

Keyword

Breast cancer

Cancer

Diary

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

Psychology

Oncology

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)