@article{KieferKrahlHirtetal.2019,
  author    = {Kiefer, Thomas and Krahl, Dorothea and Hirt, Carsten and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Voelkel, Lorenz and Daeschlein, Georg},
  title     = {Influence of treatment caused impairments on anxiety and depression in patients with cancer of the Esophagus or the Esophagogastric junction},
  series = {Journal of gastrointestinal cancer},
  volume    = {51},
  journal   = {Journal of gastrointestinal cancer},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {1941-6628},
  doi       = {10.1007/s12029-018-00193-7},
  pages     = {30 -- 34},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Purpose After therapy of cancer of the esophagus or the esophagogastric junction, patients often suffer from anxiety and depression. Some risk factors for elevated anxiety and depression are reported, but the influence of steatorrhea, the frequency of which has only recently been reported, has not yet been investigated. Method Using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), we analyzed the correlation of anxiety and depression with steatorrhea, appetite, and weight loss in 72 patients with cancer of the esophagus or of the esophagogastric junction, who were treated at our rehabilitation clinic between January 2011 and December 2014. In addition, effectiveness of psychological interviews was analyzed. Results We have evaluable anxiety questionnaires from 51 patients showing a median anxiety value of 5 (range 0-13). As for the depression, results from evaluable questionnaires of 54 patients also showed a median value of 5 (range 0-15). Increased anxiety and depression values (> 7) were observed in 25.4\% and 37.0\% of the patients respectively. Patients who were admitted with steatorrhea for rehabilitation showed a statistically higher anxiety value (median 6.3 vs. 4.7, p < 0.05), reduced appetite, and a weight loss above 15 kg depicting a correlation to anxiety and depression. Psychological conversations helped lowering the depression but had no influence on anxiety. Conclusions Impairments after cancer treatment, such as steatorrhea, appetite loss, and weight loss, should be interpreted as an alarm signal and should necessitate screening for increased anxiety and depression. Psychological therapy can help improving the extent of the depression.},
  language  = {en}
}