Assessing the Feasibility of Screening and Treating Anxiety and Depression in the Bone Marrow Transplant Population

Overview

The primary purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to assess the feasibility of screening adult hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) candidates for psychiatric comorbidity (depression and anxiety), and (2) to assess the feasibility of treating depression and anxiety in adult HSCT candidates through a collaborative care algorithm. The ultimate goal of this project is improving HSCT outcomes for allogeneic HSCT candidates by improving identification and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

Enrollment and depression and anxiety symptom screening: All patients who are candidates for allogeneic transplantation and have a scheduled "Pre-Admission Visit" at UNC will be screened by study team to assess if they are eligible for participation. At their "Pre-Admission Visit" patients will be approached for enrollment in the study. Patients who provide written informed consent will complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) survey at that time. If patients screen positive on the HADS (meaning a score of 8 or greater in the anxiety or the depression sections), they will be offered treatment within a collaborative care model intervention. If patients score less than 8 on the HADS survey (negative for symptoms of anxiety or depression) at the Pre-Admission Visit, they will not be offered treatment on study. Their medical records will still be abstracted periodically to follow post-transplant outcomes. The Collaborative Care Model: The collaborative care model is a team-delivered treatment program and will be provided by a treatment team of HSCT advanced practice providers (APP), HSCT physician, Comprehensive Cancer Support Program (CCSP) clinicians, and a psychiatrist. The collaborative care treatment intervention will be offered if patients score positive (score of 8 or greater) on the HADS. The collaborative care intervention includes medication consideration, therapy evaluation, and referral to psychiatry if needed. Treatment Options in the Collaborative Care Model: There will be three treatment options in the collaborative care model that will be offered to patients who score 8 or greater on the HADS - pharmacologic therapy, non-pharmacologic therapy, or both. If a patient chooses to start pharmacologic therapy after discussion with the APP at the Pre-Admission Visit, this treatment will include one of two antidepressants, which are standard-of-care treatments in medicine. The nonpharmacologic treatment in the Collaborative Care Model will involve a therapy consultation by the CCSP once patient is admitted to the hospital for their HSCT. Patients can also opt to take part in therapy with CCSP as well as taking medications. The study team at the time of enrollment will gather patient demographics and clinical information including gender, age, disease type, donor HLA match, and history of mental health disorders from the medical record. Follow-up HADS Surveys: On Day 0, (day of stem cell infusion) to the hospital for HSCT, patients will undergo another HADS survey, and this will be repeated at Day +14 (+/- 3 days), Day +30 (+/- 3 days), and Day +60 (+/- 3 days). Information will be gathered from the medical records on Day +14, Day +30, and Day +60 regarding symptoms of mucositis, inability to tolerate oral medications, development of hospital-acquired illnesses, ICU admissions, reactivation of viruses (i.e. CMV), readmission to hospital, engraftment status, development of GVHD, and missed clinic appointments. During the course of the study, all cases will be reviewed weekly in meetings with the psychiatrist and HSCT APPs to address mood symptoms, evaluate the need for titration of medications, and evaluate the need for psychotherapy, provided by CCSP therapist or psychiatrist. Satisfaction Surveys: At six months from initial patient enrollment, satisfaction surveys will be distributed to the HSCT APPs and HSCT physicians who have taken part in the study. Each patient at the end of study will also complete a satisfaction survey.