Abstract
Background: Weight loss and depressive symptoms are critical head and neck cancer outcomes, yet their relation over the illness course is unclear. Methods: Associations between self-reported depressive symptoms and objective weight loss across the year after head and neck cancer diagnosis were examined using growth curve modeling techniques (n = 564). Results: A reciprocal covariation pattern emerged–changes in depressive symptoms over time were associated with same-month changes in weight loss (t [1148] = 2.05; p =.041), and changes in weight loss were associated with same-month changes in depressive symptoms (t [556] = 2.43; p =.015). To the extent that depressive symptoms increased, patients lost incrementally more weight than was lost due to the passage of time and vice versa. Results also suggested that pain and eating-related quality of life might explain the reciprocal association between depressive symptoms and weight loss. Conclusion: In head and neck cancer, a transactional interplay between depressive symptoms and weight loss unfolds over time.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 370-379 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Head and Neck |
Volume | 39 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1 2017 |
Keywords
- depressive symptoms
- head and neck cancer
- nutrition
- weight loss
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology