The psychological adaptation to cancer was determined in a group of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, after the communication of diagnosis and surgery, using the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scales (HADS). The analysis of regression indicates that MAC hopelessness-helplessness positively correlates with HADS depression, and negatively with MAC fighting spirit; HADS anxiety displays a positive correlation with MAC hopelessness-helplessness and anxious preoccupation. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was examined in blood platelets, and displays a positive regression coefficient with HADS depression score. The role of HADS anxiety and of MAO activity is further supported by the follow-up of the patients. In spite of the small number of subjects, MAO activity as a single covariate in Cox analysis is a marginally significant risk factor for survival; the model constructed for multivariate analysis considering MAO activity and the scores of the psychometric scales used indicates HADS anxiety as a significant risk factor. Further research may support the presently reported results, indicating MAO activity as a biological marker of difficulties in mental adaptation to cancer, and as a risk factor for the survival of the patients.
Mental Adaptation To Cancer, Depression And Blood Platelet Monoamine Oxidase Activity In Breast Cancer Patients
GRASSI, Luigi;
2006
Abstract
The psychological adaptation to cancer was determined in a group of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, after the communication of diagnosis and surgery, using the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scales (HADS). The analysis of regression indicates that MAC hopelessness-helplessness positively correlates with HADS depression, and negatively with MAC fighting spirit; HADS anxiety displays a positive correlation with MAC hopelessness-helplessness and anxious preoccupation. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was examined in blood platelets, and displays a positive regression coefficient with HADS depression score. The role of HADS anxiety and of MAO activity is further supported by the follow-up of the patients. In spite of the small number of subjects, MAO activity as a single covariate in Cox analysis is a marginally significant risk factor for survival; the model constructed for multivariate analysis considering MAO activity and the scores of the psychometric scales used indicates HADS anxiety as a significant risk factor. Further research may support the presently reported results, indicating MAO activity as a biological marker of difficulties in mental adaptation to cancer, and as a risk factor for the survival of the patients.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
