Psychological distress and cognition among long-term survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer in the USA

Elena O. Dewar, Chul Ahn, Salman Eraj, Brandon A. Mahal, Nina N. Sanford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Patients diagnosed with cancer as adolescent and young adult (AYA) are at risk for a range of long-term psychosocial sequelae, which have been poorly studied. We sought to characterize the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction and psychological distress among long-term AYA cancer survivors. Methods: Using data from the National Health Interview Survey between 2010 and 2018, multivariable logistic regression analyses defined the association between AYA cancer diagnosis and cognitive dysfunction and psychological distress, as defined by the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Among AYA cancer survivors, the association between psychological distress and cognitive dysfunction was assessed via multivariable logistic regression. Results: Among 230,675 participants, 2646 (1.1%) were AYA cancer survivors diagnosed > 10 years prior to survey administration. Prior AYA cancer diagnosis was associated with greater odds of cognitive dysfunction (AOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.41–1.82; 27.8% vs. 16.4%) and psychological distress (AOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.41–1.83; 26.6 vs. 15.3%) as compared to individuals without a cancer history. Among survey participants reporting a cancer diagnosis, greater psychological distress was associated with greater odds of cognitive dysfunction (AOR 12.31, 95% CI 7.51–20.18 for severe psychological distress) and cognitive dysfunction was associated with having psychological distress (AOR 4.97, 95% CI 3.66–6.73). Conclusion: Long-term survivors of AYA cancer have higher rates of cognitive dysfunction and psychological distress as compared to the general population. Additional services addressing psychosocial and neurocognitive issues should be integrated into standard AYA cancer survivorship care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)776-784
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship
Volume15
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2021

Keywords

  • Cancer Survivorship
  • adolescent and young adult cancer survivors
  • cognitive dysfunction
  • psychological distress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Oncology(nursing)

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