Anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy: comparative analysis between differentiated thyroid cancer and benign nodular disease

Cancer is a condition that affects the psychological integrity of patients, due to the stigma that persists in relation to the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and the quality of life in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer and compare with patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign nodular disease. Cross-sectional study, conducted at the Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 64 patients submitted to total thyroidectomy were evaluated. Group A was composed of 29 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and Group B was composed of 32 patients with benign nodular disease. Sociodemographic data were collected, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to identify symptoms of anxiety and depression. Quality of life was analyzed using Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL – BREF). The mean age was 49 ± 12 years, and 82.8% were female. Patients with differentiated thyroid cancer had higher levels of anxiety (BAI: 17.3 ± 11.4 vs. 10.3 ± 8.6) and depression (BDI: 12.6 ± 6.4 vs. 5.9 ± 7,2) compared to patients with benign nodular disease. The WHOQOL-BREF showed lower scores in the differentiated thyroid cancer group in relation to the benign nodular disease group for all domains evaluated: physical, psychological, social relationships, environment, self-assessment of quality of life, and general quality of life. Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer have more symptoms of anxiety and depression and a poorer quality of life when compared with patients undergoing total thyroidectomy due to benign nodular disease.