Psychiatric Sequelae Following Breast Cancer Chemotherapy: A Pilot Study Using Claims Data

Despite attention to depression and cognitive disorders, the prevalence of other mental disorders following breast cancer chemotherapy has not been well described. The authors undertook a pilot study using insurance claims data to compare the prevalence of mental disorders other than depression in a population of breast cancer surgery patients who did versus did not receive post-surgical chemotherapy treatment. Women receiving chemotherapy in addition to surgery were more likely to be diagnosed with adjustment disorders (odds ratio = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.04-3.87). Prevalence of depression, anxiety, cognitive, and sleep disorders were not dependent on receipt of post-surgical chemotherapy treatment. These findings support the need for heightened awareness for mental conditions following chemotherapy.