ICD-11 adjustment disorder following diagnostic procedures of prostate cancer: A 12-month follow-up study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe medical procedures in diagnosing or treating prostate cancer may impair adjustment and quality of life. The current prospective study aimed to evaluate the trajectories of symptoms of ICD-11 adjustment disorder in patients diagnosed vs. non-diagnosed with prostate cancer before (T1), after diagnostic procedures (T2), and at 12-month follow-up (3). MethodsIn total, 96 male patients were recruited before prostate cancer diagnostic procedures. The mean age of the study participants at baseline was 63.5 (SD = 8.4), ranging from 47 to 80 years; 64% were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Adjustment disorder symptoms were measured using the Brief Adjustment Disorder Measure (ADNM-8). ResultsThe prevalence of ICD-11 adjustment disorder was 15% at T1, 13% at T2, and 3% at T3. The effect of cancer diagnosis was not significant on adjustment disorder. A medium main effect for time was detected on adjustment symptom severity, F(2, 134) = 19.26, p < .001, partial η2 = 0.223, with symptoms significantly lower at 12-month follow-up, compared to T1 and T2, p < .001. ConclusionsThe study's findings reveal the increased levels of adjustment difficulties in males undergoing the diagnostic process of prostate cancer.