Objective
Colorectal cancer poses a significant threat to both psychological and physical health. This study examined relationships between anxiety and depressive symptoms with pain, fatigue, and inflammation among colorectal patients.
Methods
Colorectal cancer patients (n = 88, stages 0‐IV) completed a laboratory‐based study visit before undergoing adjuvant cancer treatment. Patients completed questionnaires assessing depressive, anxiety, pain, and fatigue symptoms. A blood sample was also collected to measure c‐reactive protein (CRP). Analyses controlled for age, sex, cancer stage, body mass index (BMI), and menopause status.
Results
Multiple linear regression analyses showed colorectal patients with higher depressive and anxiety symptoms had greater pain, fatigue, and CRP (ps < 0.03). Approximately one‐third of patients with clinically significant depressive (CESD >16) and anxiety symptoms (BAI >16) also had clinically‐elevated levels of CRP (>3 mg/L) (ps = 0.02).
Conclusion
These results extend findings from other cancer subgroups showing heightened symptom burden among patients with depression and anxiety. They also highlight the detrimental role that elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms may play in the physical and biological side effects associated with colorectal cancer.