Associations between DSM-IV mental disorders and subsequent self-reported diagnosis of cancer

Siobhan O'Neill, Jose Posada-Villa, Maria-Elena Medina-Mora, Ali Obaid Al-Hamzawi, Marina Piazza, Histaeru Tachimori, Chiyi Hu, Carmen Lim, Ronny Briffaerts, Jean-Pierre Lepine, Herbert Matschinger, Giovanni di-Gioralamo, Peter de Jonge, Jordi Alonso, Jose Migueal Caldas de Almedia, Silvia Florescu, Andrzej Kiejna, Daphna Levinson, Ron Kessler, Kate Scott

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Abstract

Objective
The associations between mental disorders and cancer remain unclear. It is also unknown whether any associations vary according to life stage or gender. This paper examines these research questions using data from the World Mental Health Survey Initiative.

Methods
The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview retrospectively assessed the lifetime prevalence of 16 DSM-IV mental disorders in face-to-face household population surveys in nineteen countries (n = 52,095). Cancer was indicated by self-report of diagnosis. Smoking was assessed in questions about current and past tobacco use. Survival analyses estimated associations between first onset of mental disorders and subsequently reported cancer.

Results
After adjustment for comorbidity, panic disorder, specific phobia and alcohol abuse were associated with a subsequently self-reported diagnosis of cancer. There was an association between number of mental disorders and the likelihood of reporting a cancer diagnosis following the onset of the mental disorder.

This suggests that the associations between mental disorders and cancer risk may be generalised, rather than specific to a particular disorder. Depression is more strongly associated with self-reported cancers diagnosed early in life and in women. PTSD is also associated with cancers diagnosed early in life.

Conclusion
This study reports the magnitude of the associations between mental disorders and a self-reported diagnosis of cancer and provides information about the relevance of comorbidity, gender and the impact at different stages of life. The findings point to a link between the two conditions and lend support to arguments for early identification and treatment of mental disorders.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)207-212
JournalJournal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume76
Issue number3
Early online date9 Jan 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 31 Mar 2014

Keywords

  • cancer
  • psychiatry
  • mental disorder
  • epidemiology

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