Analysis of the State of Psycho-Emotional Adaptation of Patients with Various Forms of Oncological Diseases of the Maxillofacial Region at Certain Stages of Their Treatment and Rehabilitation Process

Background: Despite the achievements of psycho-oncology, the number of studies devoted to the psycho-emotional characteristics of the course of oncological diseases remains limited, especially with regard to the dynamics of psycho-emotional changes at different stages of the treatment and rehabilitation process and their connection with the localization of neoplasms and the degree of functional and aesthetic disorders. In this context, this problem is relevant and requires further comprehensive research. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the dynamics of the psychoemotional state of patients with tumor diseases of the maxillofacial region at different stages of treatment and rehabilitation, as well as to determine its dependence on tumor localization, the severity of anatomical, functional, and aesthetic disorders, and their influence on the treatment and rehabilitation process.. Methods: We examined 85 patients with oncological lesions of the maxillofacial region. To assess their psychoemotional state, we used a modified anxiety and depression assessment scale and an integral psychoemotional index (IPEI) at the time of hospitalization, in the preoperative and postoperative periods. The results were evaluated using statistical methods. Results: The most pronounced psychoemotional disorders were detected at hospitalization: anxiety – 12.4 points, depression – 10.8 points, IPEI – 2.31 points. In the preoperative stage, these indicators decreased significantly to 10.6, 9.1, and 1.87 points, respectively (p < 0.05). The lowest values were recorded after surgical treatment: anxiety level – 7.3 points, depression level – 6.2 points, IPEI – 1.28 points (p < 0.01). A statistically significant dependence on tumor localization was found: the highest IPEI values were observed in patients with lesions of the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus (2.61 units), intermediate values – in lesions of the upper jaw and alveolar process (1.93 units), and the lowest in lesions of the hard and soft palate (1.42 units) (p < 0.01). The indicated levels of anxiety and depression were significantly higher in women and younger patients. Conclusions: Patients with oncological lesions of the maxillofacial region showed a significant decrease in anxiety and depression levels on the HADS scale, starting from the stage of hospitalization to the postoperative rehabilitation period.