Anxiety and depression among new cancer patients

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: Definitive diagnosis, tedious treatment methods, and long treatment duration are possible factors contributing to psychiatric disorders in cancerous patients, including anxiety and depression. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the effective factors on the occurrence of psychiatric disorders in newly diagnosed cancer patients. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Semnan, Iran, in 2018, in which 122 patients with cancer were included. In this study, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire was used to collect the required data. Frequency comparisons between the sub-groups were performed using the Chi-square test and, if necessary, Fisher’s exact test. Moreover, the T-test or Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare numerical variables. Results: In this study, the mean values of total depression and total anxiety among patients were 26.2% and 28.6%, respectively. According to the results, anxiety was observed in 74.3% of low-income people and 80% of females. Gender and income were significantly associated with anxiety in patients with cancer (p < 0/05). However, no significant association was found between depression and the variables of gender, age, level of education, and income (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The inclusion of psychiatric interventions in the treatment program of cancer patients can be effective in controlling psychiatric disorders, especially depression and anxiety.

Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Patients With Cancer in Najran, Saudi Arabia

“…In our sample, sex was not significantly associated with anxiety, which is in accordance with the findings of Truong et al [ 12 ]. However, this finding differs from that of some other studies that reported a higher prevalence of anxiety in women than in men [ 16 , 35 , 36 ]. Marital status was not significantly associated with anxiety score, and this finding is similar to that of Truong et al [ 12 ].…”

“…Our study found that 23.9% of the patients presented with anxiety symptoms, 5.4% with mild anxiety, and 18.5% with symptomatic anxiety. Our results were similar to those of Van den Brekel et al and Safaie et al (22% and 28.6%, respectively) [ 35 , 36 ].…”

Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Disorders Among Cancer Patients: An Insight From a Single Institute

“…Incorporating mental therapies into a cancer patient's treatment plan can help control psychiatric illnesses, particularly anxiety and despair, and is recommended as a national health policy by some authors [17][18][19].…”

Cancer patient satisfaction regarding the quality of information received: psychometric validity of EORTC QLQ-INFO25

“…For the time of diagnosis, it was found that patients undergoing treatment for 7-12 months were more satisfied, compared to those with a period of less than 7 months and more than 12 months. Studies on the impact of cancer on patients' mental health and well-being indicate that depression and anxiety can hinder treatment and recovery as well as QoL and survival, and must be diagnosed early so that patients can face each phase of the cancer continuum with the necessary skills (26)(27) .…”