Depression, intoxication, suicide attempt, suicide and the use of anxiolytics, hypnotics, sedatives and antidepressants following a diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer. A population-based study (Sweden)

INTRODUCTION: A cancer diagnosis affects quality of life, including psychological wellbeing. The risk of depression and suicide has been found to be increased in cancer patients, especially in cancers with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine a broad range of indicators of psychological distress pre- and post-diagnosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We used data in a population-based lung cancer research database to compare diagnostic events of depression, anxiety, intoxication, suicide attempt and suicide as well as filled prescriptions for anxiolytics, hypnotics, sedatives and antidepressants between patients with NSCLC and individuals free of lung cancer (comparators). RESULTS: The study population encompassed 47,625 patients diagnosed with NSCLC between January 2006 and May 2022 and 236,492 lung cancer free individuals. Diagnostic rates indicating psychological distress (depression, intoxication, suicide attempt, suicide) were higher in NSCLC patients after diagnosis. Already three months prior to diagnosis, fillings of prescriptions for anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives were more common in patients with NSCLC than in comparators and remained higher in the cases during the first year post diagnosis. Following diagnosis, rates of prescriptions for antidepressants were also higher in cases. For all medications except antidepressants, rates of filled prescriptions correlated with severity of disease. CONCLUSION: We found evidence of increased rates of both diagnostic events related to psychological distress and use of psychiatric medications after a diagnosis of NSCLC. Our findings underscore the importance of symptom monitoring post-diagnosis and preparedness to provide adequate support and treatment.