Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access

Abstract

Factors Influencing Surgical Choice and Surgical Anxiety in Patients with Pulmonary Nodules Smaller than 8 mm

Hongbin Qiu, Yingqiao Lou, Congcong Xu, Pasan Witharana, Dong Chen, Sikai Wu, Kanghao Zhu, Jiawei Li, Baofu Chen* and Jianfei Shen*

Background: Detection of pulmonary nodules has a significant impact on people's lives and mental health. The 2020 NCCN guidelines recommend follow-up visit treatment for nodules ≤ 8 mm; however, many patients with small nodules choose surgery. We aimed to explore why these patients underwent surgery and the cause of their anxiety.

Methods: We cross-sectionally surveyed patients with small nodules who had undergone surgery at a local grade 3 hospital.

Results: 338 patients who responded, 234 were included in the final analysis. A total of 68.81% of patients reported clinically significant anxiety about pulmonary nodules, as measured by the IES-R. Poor performance in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (P=0.022, 95% CI: 1.237-15.857) was associated with the highest positivity rate (92.31%). Other factors such as the presence of solid nodules (P=0.015, 95% CI: 1.26-8.335), multifocal disease (P=0.006, 95% CI: 1.317-5.373), and family history of lung cancer (P=0.048, 95% CI: 1.015-21.307) were also associated with distress.

Conclusion: Current ability to perform activities of daily living, presence of solid and multiple nodules, and family history of lung cancer make patients who choose surgery more likely to experience pain.

Published Date: 2023-06-23; Received Date: 2023-05-22