title: Preferences of Patients With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms for Accepting Anxiety or Depression Treatment.
abstract: Patients with chronic hematologic malignancies such as myeloproliferative neoplasms suffer from significant physical and psychological symptom burden. This study examined their willingness to accept an antidepressant and their preferences for which provider (mental health professional or hematologist/oncologist) prescribes an antidepressant for the management of anxiety and depression.
  
  
  
  Anxiety and depression treatment preferences were measured with 3 questions assessing: (1) willingness to accept an antidepressant, (2) willingness to have their hematologist/oncologist prescribe the antidepressant, and (3) preference for treatment by a psychiatrist or mental health professional. Additionally, the Distress Thermometer and Problem List, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Risky Families Questionnaire, and demographic information were assessed to assess levels of distress, anxiety, and depression.
  
  
  
  Of the 117 participants, 69 (63.0%) were willing to accept an antidepressant in general and 61 (58.1%) were willing to accept an antidepressant from their hematologist/oncologist (p < 0.000). Although 41(39.0%) preferred to be treated by a mental health provider, this preference was not significantly associated with their respective preference for accepting an antidepressant (p = 0.057). Participants already taking antidepressants and those with elevated chronic stress levels were more willing to receive an antidepressant from their hematologist/oncologist (p = 0.035, p = 0.03, respectively). Treatment preferences did not vary based on myeloproliferative neoplasm type, length of time with myeloproliferative neoplasm, race/ethnicity, marital or working status, or by meeting distress/anxiety/depression criteria. A significant minority (n = 28, 26.7%) would not accept any treatment.
  
  
  
  Most patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm accepted an antidepressant and readily accepted the prescription from their hematologist/oncologist. The hematologists/oncologist׳s psychopharmacologic knowledge and their willingness to prescribe antidepressants should be assessed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, West Harrison, NY. Electronic address: danielcurtismcfarland@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Megan Johnson
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Polizzi
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mascarenhas
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kremyanskaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Jimmie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019046:Bone Marrow Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: antidepressants; anxiety; cancer; depression; psycho-oncology.