Psychological factors associated with Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in adults undergoing chemotherapy treatment in a Colombian oncology center. Cohort study.

Abstract

Introduction: The objective was to estimate the association between anxiety, depression and perceived social support with Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI) in adults undergoing curative chemotherapy in Colombia. Methods: cohort study in adults with a primary cancer of location other than the central nervous system and indication for outpatient curative chemotherapy in an oncology center in Medellín, Colombia, from October 2022 to December 2023. Data were collected at the beginning of chemotherapy and three months later (median 3,3 months, IQR: 3,0-3,6). Anxiety and depression were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and perceived social support with the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. The CRCI three months after the beginning of chemotherapy was studied as a dependent factor with the Perceived Cognitive Impairments subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function. The change in CRCI was calculated as the difference between baseline and 3 months later. Higher delta, lower CRCI. Linear regression models were adjusted for potential confounding variables and interaction terms were included. Results: 210 patients were included. Having a clinical anxiety problem was associated with lower CRCI delta, p<0,01. No association was observed between depression, overall perceived social support and its domains with CRCI delta, p>0,05. Conclusion: anxiety was the only psychosocial factor associated with CRCI in adults with indication for curative chemotherapy in Colombia. Depression and perceived social support were not associated with CRCI.