Fast time estimation to predict levels of anxiety in cancer patients.

Abstract

e23162 Background: Our study explored the potential relationship between the time estimation and the level of anxiety in cancer patients prior to starting chemotherapy. Methods: Time estimation was assessed in 90 chemonaïve patients with solid tumors by evaluating each subject’s prospective estimation of how fast one minute passed compared to the actual time. The median value (37 sec) of time estimation was used to stratify the patients into two categories of fast and slow time estimation. We used generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) as a screening tool for detecting levels of anxiety. Scores ≥10 we considered as clinically significant. Results: Patients with clinically significant levels of anxiety were 23 (25.5%). The pattern of the time estimation distributions significantly changed according to the reported levels of GAD-7 scales. Scores ≥10 correlated with fast time estimation and gender. Patients who scores ≥10 estimated time significantly faster than the rest (27.3±9.2 vs 43.4±17.3; p < 0.001). ROC analysis revealed that at the optimal cutoff value of time estimation, clinically significant levels of anxiety can be discriminated with an AUC = 0.78 (95% CI: 0.68-0.87, p < 0.001) and with a sensitivity of 78.3% and a specificity of 65.2%. Moreover, in a multivariate logistic regression model, fast time estimation was an independent predictor of clinically significant levels of anxiety (OR 7.07; 95% CI 2.2-22.8; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Time estimation is a novel potent indicator for moderate and severe levels of anxiety in cancer patients. This test is an easily performed, time-saving and nonintrusive ultrashort screening tool for clinically significant levels of anxiety.