Rates and Determinants of Depression and Anxiety Among Acute Leukemia Patients

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with acute leukemia in Vietnam and to identify associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center of Bach Mai Hospital, a national tertiary care facility in Hanoi, Vietnam. A total of 82 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Data on sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, residence, education, occupation, marital status, and income) and clinical information (e.g., leukemia type, treatment stage, comorbidities, substance use) were collected. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Zung’s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Multivariate logistic and Tobit regression analyses were applied to explore associated factors. Results: Participants had a mean age of 43.4 years (SD = 14.0), with 53.7% male and 69.5% residing in rural areas. Most were married (82.9%) and had completed high school (45.1%). Farmers constituted the largest occupational group (29.3%). The mean BDI score was 13.7 (SD = 9.8), and the mean SAS score was 39.2 (SD = 6.3). Overall, 50.0% of patients met criteria for depression, while 26.8% exhibited clinically significant anxiety symptoms. Among those with anxiety, 59.1% had mild symptoms, 22.7% moderate, and 18.2% severe or very severe. Patients with education above high school (OR = 7.32; 95% CI: 1.01–53.23), a spouse (OR = 25.10; 95% CI: 2.14–294.55), or comorbidities (OR = 8.05; 95% CI: 1.63–39.68) had significantly higher odds of depression. A higher income (>10 million VND/month) was associated with lower depression scores (Coef. = −6.05; 95% CI: −11.65 to −0.46). Regarding anxiety, the female gender was associated with higher odds (OR = 3.80; 95% CI: 1.21–11.93) and SAS scores (Coef. = 4.07; 95% CI: 1.64–6.51), while higher income predicted lower anxiety severity (Coef. = −3.74; 95% CI: −6.57 to −0.91). Conclusions: This Vietnamese hospital-based study highlights a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with acute leukemia. Routine mental health screening and culturally appropriate psychosocial interventions are strongly recommended to improve patient well being.