Mental Health and Quality of Life of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Pre and Post Radioactive Iodine Treatment: A Prospective Study

<b>Background</b>: Although patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) have a good prognosis, their long-term clinical course can influence their mental health and their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, few studies have evaluated the psychological factors that influence subsequent HRQoL in this population, particularly during the initial treatment stage. <b>Methods</b>: In this 1-month cohort study, we evaluated depressive and anxiety symptoms and HRQoL of patients with DTC and examined possible predictors of further HRQoL impairment. <b>Results</b>: In total, 181 patients completed questionnaires where they self-rated their psychological status (the Chinese Health Questionnaire [CHQ], Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire [TDQ]) and HRQoL (the 36-item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) at baseline and 1 month after radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. Compared with the general Taiwanese population, patients with DTC reported a worse HRQoL in all dimensions of the SF-36. Multivariate regression models indicated that anxiety and depressive symptoms were inversely correlated with some dimensions (physical functioning, bodily pain, and general health perceptions for the CHQ; role limitations due to physical problems and social functioning for the TDQ). However, psychiatric follow-up and treatment history were significantly associated with physical functioning and role limitations owing to the physical problem dimensions of HRQoL. <b>Conclusions</b>: In conclusion, although anxiety and depressive symptoms may negatively affect certain HRQoL domains, psychiatric follow-up can improve the physical dimensions.