ecancermedicalscience

Research

Prevalence of depression and anxiety among newly diagnosed cancer patients: a single centre experience in the Middle East

3 Apr 2024
Mona Ali Hassan, Ahmad EL Mahmoud, Suha Kalash, Tamara Kadi, Nour Bakhos, Reine Abou Zeidane, Ghid Amhaz, Maya Bizri, Hazem I Assi

Failure to identify and treat depression and anxiety affecting 10% of patients with cancer, increases the disease burden. This study aimed to assess the psychological well-being of newly diagnosed patients in a tertiary healthcare centre in Lebanon. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected for 187 adult patients, from medical records and interviews using standardised questionnaires (Personal health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and generalised anxiety disorder-7). Karnofsky performance status was also assessed, and incidence was calculated using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and T-tests. The rates of moderate or severe anxiety, minimal anxiety, mild depression, moderate or severe depression, and suicidality are 14.9%, 35.6%, 40.7% 22.7% and 6.2%, respectively. Participants with a past history of seeking help from mental health services (OR: 3.978, CI: (1.680–9.415), p = 0.002), those developing cancer-related complications (OR: 3.039, CI: (1.187–7.777), p = 0.020), and those who had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group of ≥2 (OR: 5.306, CI: (1.582–17.797), p = 0.007) were independently associated with depression (diagnosed with PHQ-9) in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Patients with cancer exhibit higher evidence of depression and anxiety and should have a thorough psychiatric history and additional psychiatric care.

Related Articles

Olatunde Olaniyi Abiodun Oluwafemi, Eberechukwu Uchime Kasiemobi, Mustapha Babatunde, Bankole Kofi Adedeji, Oyelayo Oluwaseun Olaoluwa, Ismaheel Aderogba Azeez, Ezekpo Okechukwu Obumneme
Chase Peng Yun Ng, Moira Hegyi, Grant Lewison, Tania Pastrana, Eve Namisango, James Cleary, Barbara Hasties, Eric Kabisa, Helena Musau, Kathryn Spangenberg, Paola Ruiz, Zipporah Ali, Mertixell Mallafre-Larrosa, Alfredo Polo, Julie Torode, Ajay Aggarwal, Richard Sullivan, Mevhibe Hocaoglu
Sergine Cindy M Zeufack, Jackton Omoto, Antony Owaya, Everlyn Adoyo, Mercy Rop, Cirillus Ogollah Osongo, Lisa Rahangdale, Craig R Cohen, Chemtai Mungo
Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala (AMPOK)
Jeanine Justiniano, Ally H Mwanga, Daniel W Kitua, Nashivai E Kivuyo, Seif Wibonela, Cameron E Gaskill