Depression and Anxiety in Melanoma Patients and Their Relationships with Dermatology-Related Quality of Life: A Prospective Observational Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Patients with melanoma may experience depression and anxiety, but their relationship with dermatology-related quality of life (QoL) remains insufficiently characterized. This study assessed depressive and anxiety symptoms and their associations with QoL, sex, disease stage, and time since diagnosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 162 adults with histologically confirmed melanoma recruited consecutively at two Polish tertiary oncology centers. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Associations were examined using non-parametric tests and multivariable linear regression. Results: Positive screening rates were 8.8% for depression using PHQ-9 and 15.2% using HADS-D, and 19.1% for anxiety using GAD-7 and 27.4% using HADS-A. Women had higher PHQ-9, GAD-7, and HADS-A scores than men. All psychological measures correlated with DLQI scores (Spearman’s ρ = 0.328–0.414; all adjusted q < 0.001). In multivariable models, higher DLQI scores independently correlated with greater symptom severity across all four measures (all p ≤ 0.001). Female sex independently correlated with higher PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores, while younger age correlated with higher PHQ-9, GAD-7, and HADS-A scores. Neither melanoma stage nor time since diagnosis was independently associated with psychological symptoms. Conclusions: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are clinically relevant in melanoma and closely associated with poorer dermatology-related QoL. Psychological screening should not be limited to patients with advanced disease. Females and younger patients may warrant particular attention.