Assessment of additional anxiety caused by COVID-19 in cancer patients during the pandemic using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale

Gülhan İpek Deniz; Reşit Akyel; Veysi Çeri

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1850867

Assessment of additional anxiety caused by COVID-19 in cancer patients during the pandemic using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale

Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to substantial psychological distress, particularly among vulnerable populations such as cancer patients. This study aimed to assess anxiety levels in cancer patients during the pandemic using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and to investigate their relationship with demographic and clinical variables. Methods: This prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with institutional ethics committee approval. Between June and August 2020, 157 cancer patients receiving active treatment or under routine follow-up were enrolled. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded, and anxiety levels were evaluated by trained clinicians using the HAM-A. Appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses were performed, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the participants, 57% were female (n = 89) and 43% were male (n = 68), with a mean age range of 19–87 years. The most common cancer types were breast, colorectal, lung, and gastric cancers. Based on HAM-A scores, 79% of patients demonstrated low anxiety, while approximately 21% exhibited moderate-to-very high anxiety levels. Correlation analyses showed no significant associations between anxiety levels and age, gender, or cancer type. A strong correlation was observed between gender and cancer type, reflecting expected clinical distributions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the psychological burden associated with cancer may outweigh the additional impact of the pandemic; however, as no pre-pandemic comparative data were available, this interpretation should be considered a plausible explanation based on the present findings rather than causal inference.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Internal Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gülhan İpek Deniz ^*
0000-0003-4309-5436
Türkiye

Reşit Akyel
0000-0001-9373-8693
Türkiye

Veysi Çeri
0000-0001-6152-0227
Türkiye

Publication Date

May 4, 2026

Submission Date

December 29, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 8, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: April, May, June 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1850867

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA66KF62JF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

İpek Deniz, G., Akyel, R., & Çeri, V. (2026). Assessment of additional anxiety caused by COVID-19 in cancer patients during the pandemic using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1850867

AMA

1.İpek Deniz G, Akyel R, Çeri V. Assessment of additional anxiety caused by COVID-19 in cancer patients during the pandemic using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1850867

Chicago

İpek Deniz, Gülhan, Reşit Akyel, and Veysi Çeri. 2026. “Assessment of Additional Anxiety Caused by COVID-19 in Cancer Patients During the Pandemic Using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 (April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1850867.

EndNote

İpek Deniz G, Akyel R, Çeri V (May 1, 2026) Assessment of additional anxiety caused by COVID-19 in cancer patients during the pandemic using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 April, May, June 2026

IEEE

[1]G. İpek Deniz, R. Akyel, and V. Çeri, “Assessment of additional anxiety caused by COVID-19 in cancer patients during the pandemic using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale”, Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, May 2026, doi: 10.31067/acusaglik.1850867.

ISNAD

İpek Deniz, Gülhan - Akyel, Reşit - Çeri, Veysi. “Assessment of Additional Anxiety Caused by COVID-19 in Cancer Patients During the Pandemic Using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17/April, May, June 2026 (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1850867.

JAMA

1.İpek Deniz G, Akyel R, Çeri V. Assessment of additional anxiety caused by COVID-19 in cancer patients during the pandemic using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17. doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1850867.

MLA

İpek Deniz, Gülhan, et al. “Assessment of Additional Anxiety Caused by COVID-19 in Cancer Patients During the Pandemic Using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, May 2026, doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1850867.

Vancouver

1.Gülhan İpek Deniz, Reşit Akyel, Veysi Çeri. Assessment of additional anxiety caused by COVID-19 in cancer patients during the pandemic using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026 May 1;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1850867