Background: Haematological treatment is associated with excessive distress due to side effects of cytostatics and due to severe life consequences of the illness. It could be a cause of anxiety or depressive states in vulnerable persons.
Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders, and distress among patients treated due to haematologic malignancies.
Methods: 45 patients with leukaemia or lymphoma, 29 treated due to other internal diseases and 28 healthy persons were assessed. The following research instruments were used: the Present State Examination (PSE), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), criteria scales (ICD-10) for depression and anxiety.
Results: Depression was diagnosed in 29% of the patients with hematological illnesses and in 11% of patients with other internal illnesses. Prevalence of GAD was appropriately 11% and 9%. Generally, psychiatric disorders were present in a half of the patients in every group. About 1/4 th of the haematologic patients had much more severe depressive symptoms than others.
Conclusion: The groups of patients have much higher, depressive and distress scores than controls. Psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment could be considered as part of the treatment of malignant haematologic cancers.