Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of depression and anxiety disorders on mortality in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers, utilizing nationwide retrospective cohort data. METHODS: Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database, covering women diagnosed with cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancers between 2007 and 2014, were analyzed. Women diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders within one year after cancer diagnosis were identified and compared with a control group comprising patients with gynecologic cancers who did not develop either disorder during the same post-diagnosis period. Mortality was evaluated as the primary outcome. RESULTS: Of 85,327 women analyzed, 784 (0.9%) were diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders. Patients with depression or anxiety exhibited significantly higher mortality (38.4% vs. 29.9%; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that depression significantly increased mortality risk (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.27-1.66), whereas anxiety alone showed no significant effect (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.74-1.27). Combined depression and anxiety showed the highest mortality risk (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.31-1.65). CONCLUSIONS: Depression and anxiety disorders are significant predictors of increased mortality in women with gynecologic cancers, emphasizing the necessity for integrated mental health assessment and interventions in oncologic care to improve both survival and quality of life.