Past Issues

Background: Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among cancer patients. The aim of this study is to report the course of anxiety and depression in thyroid-cancer patients treated with [131I] radionuclide under virtual isolation conditions. Methods: Thirteen adult patients were recruited for this study. All of these patients were hospitalized in the nuclear-medicine isolation facility for their first course of [131I] radionuclide therapy within the period between June 2000 and September 2001 inclusively. A self-reported questionnaire packet, including the State- Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the 20-items Zung's Depression Scale (ZDS) was completed by all patients at baseline, and at 24 and 48 hours subsequent to isolation commencement. The STAI was utilized in order to measure anxiety. Result: Scores on the ZDS indicated levels of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that the process of isolation during radionuclide therapy for cancer patients may not necessarily alter an involved patient's psychological status.