Biological age and neighborhood deprivation in depression and anxiety during colorectal cancer chemotherapy
In 958 adults with stage II–III colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy, increases in blood-biomarker biological age were associated with worsening depressive symptoms, and neighborhood deprivation strengthened links between biological aging and depressive symptoms. These are associations, not causes. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The secondary analysis of de-identified electronic health records from 2017–2023 included 958 adults aged 18 or older with stage II–III colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy. [1]
Mean biological age was 65.9 years at baseline and increased by 3 years during chemotherapy. [1]
Neighborhood deprivation strengthened associations between biological aging and depressive symptoms at baseline and over time. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Secondary analysis of de-identified electronic health records (abstract)
- Population / context
- Adults aged 18 or older with stage II–III colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy (N = 958).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 4, 2026
Biological age and distress in chemotherapy patients
The abstract describes a secondary analysis of de-identified electronic health records from 2017–2023. It included 958 adults aged 18 or older with stage II–III colorectal cancer who were receiving chemotherapy. The authors asked whether biological age predicts depression and anxiety symptoms and whether neighborhood deprivation amplifies that risk. Biological age was measured with nine blood biomarkers (Levine Clinical Biological Age). Depression and anxiety were assessed with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 questionnaires, and neighborhood deprivation with the Area Deprivation Index.
Supporting source [1]
Biological age rises and tracks depressive symptoms
Mean biological age was 65.9 years at baseline and rose by 3 years during chemotherapy. Participants reported moderate depression and anxiety symptoms at baseline. In adjusted analyses, increases in biological age were associated with worsening depressive symptoms (B = 0.18, q = 0.048). Higher baseline biological age was associated with greater baseline depressive symptom severity (B = 0.31, q = 0.008). Neighborhood deprivation strengthened the associations between biological aging and depressive symptoms at baseline and over time, including changes in biological age and age acceleration (all q ≤ 0.049).
Supporting source [1]
Associations over six months, not causes
The analysis examined associations over 6 months using multivariable linear regression with adjustment for multiple testing. The authors conclude that blood-biomarker-based biological age may indicate elevated risk of psychological distress in colorectal cancer, particularly in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods, and that combining biological age with geographic context may help identify high-risk patients. Because this is an observational record analysis, the reported links do not show that biological aging or neighborhood deprivation causes depression or anxiety.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a secondary analysis of de-identified electronic health records, so the reported associations do not establish causation. Details on how the 958 participants were selected and on follow-up beyond 6 months are not reported in the abstract.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Han CJ, Plascak JJ, Von Ah D, Tan A, Noonan A, Ross-Moody C, Burd CE. · europepmc.org · September 4, 2026