Relation between personality dimensions and symptomatology of depression in skin cancer patients

Abstract

Background Environmental psychological factors such as mood states can modify and trigger an organic response; depressive disorder is considered a risk factor for oncological development, leading to alterations both in the genesis and in the progression of the disease. Some authors have identified that personality relates to mood since a high score in neuroticism is associated with intense and long-lasting emotions of stress and therefore with the development of depressive behaviors. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between personality and depression in skin cancer patients. Methods A total of forty-seven clinically and histopathologically diagnosed patients were scheduled for an hour-long interview, during which they provided informed consent and sociodemographic information. The psychological questionnaires applied were the revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the clinical questionnaire for the diagnosis of the depressive syndrome. Results The patient’s mean age was 66.5 years (SD ± 12.4) and the majority were diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (70.2%). The frequency of anxious/depressive symptoms was 42.5%, with an increase in depression scores in the female gender (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a difference was found in the neuroticism dimension related to gender, with higher values in women (p = 0.002). Depressive symptomatologic portraits were correlated with the dimensions of neuroticism (p < 0.001, r = 0.705), psychoticism (p = 0.003, r = 0.422) and lying (p = 0.028, r = − 0.321). Conclusions Our results support the hypothesis that personality dimensions are related to the presence of anxiety/depressive symptomatology in patients with skin cancer, especially in the female gender. Highlighting the need for future research that delves into the implications at the psychological level, the quality of life, and the biological mechanisms that link personality and depressive symptoms in the development and evolution of skin cancer.

Review: The Key Factors to Melanomagenesis

“…The exact cause of melanoma is not yet understood, but there are certain factors that may initiate and promote its development: ultraviolet (UV) radiation, indoor tanning [ 8 , 9 , 10 ], prolonged sun exposure/sunburn [ 11 ], burn scars [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], pesticides, genetic factors/heredity, geographical location, skin phototype, immunosuppression, hormonal changes, a high number of nevi, neuroendocrine factors, stress, depression [ 15 ], trauma, low socioeconomic status, non-melanoma skin cancers, autoimmune diseases, viral infections, biological/cytologic factors, smoking/alcohol, medicines, gender (melanoma has a higher incidence in men [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]), etc. [ 1 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Sunscreens – another endangered species?

“…Metastatic skin cancer often requires extensive repeat treatment, leaving patients with significant cosmetic disfigurement and loss of function [19]. Consequently, a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, including fear and anxiety (>30%), is observed in patients with skin cancer because Quality of Life after diagnosis declines considerably [20]. There is also a known increased suicide risk in female patients with KC, with speculation that psychological trauma over the disfiguring aspect of the disease is the chief cause [21].…”

Health-related quality of life and factors associated with depression among people with oculocutaneous albinism in Jinja , Uganda

“…Depressive disorder is considered a risk factor for oncological development, leading to alterations both in the genesis and in the progression of the disease (Ramrez-dos Santos et al, 2021). In a study including 47 patients with basal cell carcinoma who were clinically and histopathologically identified, the prevalence of anxiety or depressive symptoms was 42.5%, with an increase in depression scores in the female gender (p 0.001).…”

“…Additionally, there was a gender-related difference in the neuroticism component, with greater values in women (p = 0.002). The characteristics of neuroticism (p 0.001, r = 0.705), psychoticism (p = 0.003, r = 0.422), and lying (p = 0.028, r = -0.321) were all connected with depressive symptomatologicprofiles (Ramrez-dos Santos et al, 2021). That was also reported for acne vulgaris; with 8.8% of acne patients reportedly experiencing clinical depression, acne patients had a two-to three-time higher prevalence of depression than the overall population.…”