title: A longitudinal investigation of psychological disorders in patients prior and subsequent to a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
abstract: This longitudinal study investigated levels of anxiety and depression in women who underwent clinical investigations to diagnose a possible ovarian cancer. Women completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), prior to clinical investigations (Time 1), after receiving diagnostic results (Time 2) and at 3 months follow-up (Time 3). Thirty women completed the assessments at Time 1 and Time 2, and 22 women were re-assessed at Time 3. The majority of the sample (56%) scored as a case of anxiety prior to clinical investigations. A significant decrease in anxiety and depression across time was found. Levels of anxiety and depression between women with a subsequent cancer diagnosis and women with a benign result were not significantly different. This study showed that clinical investigations are a highly anxiety-provoking event. In addition, the diagnosis of cancer did not significantly elevate or maintain levels of anxiety and depression compared to a benign diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Academic Division of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, 2nd Floor, Zochonis Building, Brunswick Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. vmo.goncalves@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Vânia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jayson
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tarrier
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics