ObjectivesThis study aimed to estimate the trends in the prevalence and treatment of depressive symptoms using nationally representative surveys in Peru from 2014 to 2018.DesignA secondary analysis was conducted using five nationally representative surveys carried out consecutively in the years between 2014 and 2018.SettingThe study was conducted in Peru.ParticipantsIndividuals, men and women, aged ≥15 years who participated in the selected surveys. Sampling was probabilistic using a two-stage approach.Main outcome measuresTwo versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) that focused on the presence of depressive symptoms were administered (one in the last 2 weeks and other in the last year). Scores ≥15 were used as the cut-off point in both versions of the PHQ-9 to define the presence of depressive symptoms. Also, the treatment rate was based on the proportion of individuals who had experienced depressive symptoms in the last year and who had self-reported having received specific treatment for these symptoms. The age-standardised prevalence was estimated.ResultsA total of 161 061 participants were included. There was no evidence of a change in age-standardised prevalence rates of depressive symptoms at the 2 weeks prior to the point of data collection (2.6% in 2014 to 2.3% in 2018), or in the last year (6.3% in 2014 to 6.2% in 2018). Furthermore, no change was found in the proportion of depressive cases treated in the last year (14.6% in 2014 to 14.4% in 2018). Rural areas and individuals with low-level of wealth had lower proportion of depressive cases treated.ConclusionsNo changes in trends of rates of depressive symptoms or in the proportion of depressive cases treated were observed. This suggests the need to reduce the treatment gap considering social determinants associated with inequality in access to adequate therapy.

Background Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. In Peru, cancer represented 20% of deaths nationwide between 1986 and 2015, where the types of cancer with the highest incidence include prostate, breast, and stomach cancer. Cancer diagnosis is a complex communicative process that is associated with the idea of ​​death and suffering, especially those in advanced stages. Regarding the psychological factor, cancer is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress. These represent an obstacle to recovery from the disease and can affect the quality of life of cancer patients. This study aims to determine the association between quality of life and depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and emotional distress in Peruvian cancer patients. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 literate National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases cancer patients over 18 years of age. Additionally, descriptive statistical analyses and Poisson association measures of mental health and quality of life factors were performed. Results A prevalence of anxious symptoms (27.5%), depressive symptoms (20.4%), symptoms of moderate-severe stress (83.2%), and emotional discomfort (57.4%) has been identified. Regarding the Poisson regression model, cancer patients with 12 or more years of education were less likely to have emotional distress symptoms. Cancer patients with a low or average mental quality of life are twice as likely to present signs of moderate or severe stress. Notably, neither the type of cancer or the clinical stage presented significant values ​​for any of the mental health problems, mental quality of life, and physical quality of life. The comorbidity sub-analysis has identified that as the number of comorbid mental health problems increases, the probability of having a low mental quality of life and physical quality of life increases. Conclusions Emotional distress and stress are factors associated with the quality of life of cancer patients. Other covariates such as high educational level are factors related to mental health problems. Likewise, the results directly affect the development of public policies and effective health strategies in this type of population.

Background Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. In Peru, cancer represented 20% of deaths nationwide between 1986 and 2015, where the types of cancer with the highest incidence include prostate, breast, and stomach cancer. Cancer diagnosis is a complex communicative process that is associated with the idea of ​​death and suffering, especially those in advanced stages. Regarding the psychological factor, cancer is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress. These represent an obstacle to recovery from the disease and can affect the quality of life of cancer patients. This study aims to determine the association between quality of life and depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and emotional distress in Peruvian cancer patients. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 literate National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases cancer patients over 18 years of age. Additionally, descriptive statistical analyses and Poisson association measures of mental health and quality of life factors were performed. Results A prevalence of anxious symptoms (27.5%), depressive symptoms (20.4%), symptoms of moderate-severe stress (83.2%), and emotional discomfort (57.4%) has been identified. Regarding the Poisson regression model, cancer patients with 12 or more years of education were less likely to have emotional distress symptoms. Cancer patients with a low or average mental quality of life are twice as likely to present signs of moderate or severe stress. Notably, neither the type of cancer or the clinical stage presented significant values ​​for any of the mental health problems, mental quality of life, and physical quality of life. The comorbidity sub-analysis has identified that as the number of comorbid mental health problems increases, the probability of having a low mental quality of life and physical quality of life increases. Conclusions Emotional distress and stress are factors associated with the quality of life of cancer patients. Other covariates such as high educational level are factors related to mental health problems. Likewise, the results directly affect the development of public policies and effective health strategies in this type of population.

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