Prospective Predictors of Poor Emotional Functioning in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Background: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), especially their mental health, can be compromised by various factors beyond disease prognosis and treatment stage. However, predictors of poor emotional functioning (EF) in DTC patients have not been thoroughly studied. To inform targeted interventions that could improve or preserve HRQoL in patients with DTC, this study aimed to identify predictors of impaired EF, and particularly modifiable factors. Methods: Data analyzed were from the phase IV international validation study of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer thyroid cancer-specific HRQoL questionnaire (QLQ-THY34). Patients ( n = 196) were assessed at three timepoints before treatment (t1), 6 weeks after the start of treatment (t2), and 6 months after t2 (t3). Multilevel, multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the likelihood of impaired EF at t3 according to predefined potential predictors at t1 and t2. Results: Impaired EF at t1 or t2 predicted impaired EF at t3. Exhaustion, head and neck discomfort and body image issues were significantly associated with poor EF at t3. More specifically, temporal changes of these three variables from t1 to t2 were independent predictors of poor EF at t3 with an odds ratio of 1.04 ( p < 0.001), 1.01 ( p = 0.04), and 1.01 ( p = 0.001) per score point, respectively. There was no evidence that worry about important others, lacking social support, sex, stage, or Karnofsky performance score are associated with EF at t3. Conclusions: Exhaustion, head and neck discomfort, and body image concerns emerged as modifiable factors that predict future impaired EF in patients with DTC undergoing treatment. These factors could be targeted in prehabilitation, rehabilitation or other interventional programs to potentially improve or preserve patients’ EF.