title: Effects of false-positive results in a breast screening program on anxiety, depression and health-related quality of life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decreased anxiety has been reported among women with false-positive results in mammography screening programs. No long-term effects have been fully demonstrated, and the findings for anxiety and depression are contradictory. Few studies have addressed changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to study the short- and long-term effects such as changes in anxiety, depression, and HRQOL among women with false-positive results.
  
  
  METHODS
  With a longitudinal study design, data were collected on anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and HRQOL (Short-Form 36 [SF-36] Health Survey) among women with false-positive results before screening, at recall, and at 3 and 6 months after screening. Controls (negative results in screening) were measured before screening and at 6 months after.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with false-positive results (n = 128) showed increased anxiety at recall (mean, 4.6 [SD, 3.7]) versus before screening (P = .04), but this decreased until 6 months after screening. Depression was increased until 6 months after screening (not statistically significant). Women with false-positive results scored lower than did control subjects on general health (P = .02) and mental health (P = .03) and higher on depression (P = .045) at 6 months after screening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Efforts should be made to minimize anxiety at recall and depression after screening. Further research is needed on the long-term effects of recall and any effects on HRQOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Information about the prevalence of false-positive results and time until unambiguous diagnostic results should be improved. Information leaflet based on evidence needs to be continually updated.
authors: Institute of Radiography, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bergen University College, Norway. bhaf@hib.no
authors: Bjorg
authors: B
authors: Hafslund
authors: Birgitte
authors: B
authors: Espehaug
authors: Monica W
authors: MW
authors: Nortvedt
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology*; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors