Depression and anxiety in patients with hematological malignancies, prevalence, and associated factors

Abstract

Objectives:To study the prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety in hematological cancers (HC) patients.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional survey in all HC patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between March 2014 and June 2015. We excluded patients with depression, or generalized anxiety disorder. We conducted a structured face to face interview using an internally developed and validated questionnaire (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 patient’s questionnaire with all participants).Results:Among 211 participants, depression was detected in 98 (46.5%) and anxiety was detected in 47 (22.3%). Thirty-eight (18.1%) had concurrent anxiety and depression. Multiple co-morbidities and tense home atmosphere were predictive for anxiety and depression. We found no association between gender, smoking, income, or being on active therapy and depression or anxiety.Conclusions:Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in HC patients in KAMC. Health care providers should screen HC cancers for depression and anxiety; as early intervention possibly improve their disease outcome and will likely enhance their psychological wellbeing.

Quality of life and distress assessed with self and external assessment screening tools in patients with hematologic malignancies attending treatment in an acute hospital

“…The prevalence of depressive symptoms was slightly less with 38% and 17%, respectively. Comparably high prevalence rates are also reported in other studies [8][9][10][11]. This is of particular importance as elevated distress levels are associated with an increased risk of mortality in addition to numerous other deleterious effects [7,[12][13][14].…”

“…Patients affected by hematologic malignancies often have elevated distress levels compared to patients with other cancers [2,6,[8][9][10][11]. At the same time, QoL is reduced, functioning is restricted and symptom burden increased [15].…”

The Effect of Stress and Depression on Unmet Medical Needs

“…18) In Saudi Arabia, more than 37% of diabetes patients were diagnosed with depression and depression was detected in 46.5% among hematological cancers patients. 19,20) This in turn, leads to heightened demand for medical services, and general trends show that depression leads to chronic dissatisfaction with medical treatment. 17,21,22) Thus, emotional and cognitive factors should be highlighted as primary reasons for increased demand in medical care for individuals experiencing symptoms of stress and depression as much as socio-economic reasons and environmental factors.…”

Psychosocial and quality of life assessment in cancer patients: a pilot study in Indian set up

“…[23][24][25][26][27] Abuelgasim KA et al reported the prevalence of depression (46.5%), anxiety (22.3%), and concurrent anxiety and depression in 18.1% haematological cancer patients. 28 In our study most frequent problems faced by cancer patients was going out to spend quality time with friends and family (66.1%), of having trouble sleeping (45.2%), fear of developing pain (43.5%) and difficulty in body care after developing cancer (41.9%).…”