Anxiety and Depression of the Patients with Hematological Malignancies during Hospitalization for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the anxiety and depression in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: Eighty-seven adult patients with various hematologic diseases, who were scheduled to receive autologous or allogeneic HSCT, were enrolled. The M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale were applied prospectively at hospital admission (D-14), on the day of transplantation (D day), and at 7 (D7) and 14 days (D14) after transplantation. RESULTS: The severity of both anxiety and depressive symptoms increased over time, with a peak at D7, and then showed a downturn at D14. Physical distresses also started with mild intensity at base line, which were continuously aggravated until D7, and then a partial recovery afterwards. Approximately, 52% of the participants had significantly high anxiety or depression before the start of HSCT. The occurrence of aggravation of pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and lack of appetite was associated with the development of anxiety during isolation period. The patients with significant baseline anxiety had higher scores on fatigue and shortness of breath items at D7 compared to those without. CONCLUSION: Our finding suggests the importance of psychiatric approaches, including preventive measures, for the patients undergoing HSCT.