The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri Lanka

<p><strong>Background</strong></p><p>Breast cancer is an invasive type of malignancy prevalent among females worldwide. Global figures indicate that depression occurs in 32.2% females with breast cancer. The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with br...

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Main Authors: T. A. S. Prabhath, R. Ruben
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2020-12-01
Series:Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sljpsyc.sljol.info/articles/8274
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author T. A. S. Prabhath
R. Ruben
author_facet T. A. S. Prabhath
R. Ruben
author_sort T. A. S. Prabhath
collection DOAJ
description <p><strong>Background</strong></p><p>Breast cancer is an invasive type of malignancy prevalent among females worldwide. Global figures indicate that depression occurs in 32.2% females with breast cancer. The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer in Sri Lanka are largely unknown. A better understanding ofthese data is essential to identify the burden of the disease and to plan appropriate interventions.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Aims</strong></p><p>The aims of the study were to describe the prevalence of depression among patients with breast cancer in Sri Lanka and to identify associated socio-demographic and clinical factors.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Methods</strong></p><p>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in two cancer units. Participants included females with pathologically proven breast cancer attending oncology clinics, and the sample size was 335. Participants were screened for depression using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Socio-demographic and clinical information regarding the cancer was collected using a questionnaire.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results</strong></p><p>The prevalence of clinical depression in the sample was 24.5%. There was a significant association between the occurrence of depression and the participant age, partner’s employment status, menopausal state, having dependent children, degree of social support, metastatic stage of cancer, past target therapy, and current hormonal therapy. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between the degree of social support received and the presence of depression.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong></p>Almost a quarter of patients with breast cancer in this study were depressed. Patients’ perception of the degree of social support appears to be a very significant predictor of depression in this group.
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spelling doaj.art-e2f5d8cffe68429cb741d7cb480ec0452022-12-21T20:33:15ZengSri Lanka College of PsychiatristsSri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry2012-68832579-20082020-12-01112131910.4038/sljpsyc.v11i2.82745921The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri LankaT. A. S. Prabhath0R. Ruben1Base Hospital, KamburupitiyaTeaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle<p><strong>Background</strong></p><p>Breast cancer is an invasive type of malignancy prevalent among females worldwide. Global figures indicate that depression occurs in 32.2% females with breast cancer. The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer in Sri Lanka are largely unknown. A better understanding ofthese data is essential to identify the burden of the disease and to plan appropriate interventions.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Aims</strong></p><p>The aims of the study were to describe the prevalence of depression among patients with breast cancer in Sri Lanka and to identify associated socio-demographic and clinical factors.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Methods</strong></p><p>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in two cancer units. Participants included females with pathologically proven breast cancer attending oncology clinics, and the sample size was 335. Participants were screened for depression using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Socio-demographic and clinical information regarding the cancer was collected using a questionnaire.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results</strong></p><p>The prevalence of clinical depression in the sample was 24.5%. There was a significant association between the occurrence of depression and the participant age, partner’s employment status, menopausal state, having dependent children, degree of social support, metastatic stage of cancer, past target therapy, and current hormonal therapy. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between the degree of social support received and the presence of depression.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong></p>Almost a quarter of patients with breast cancer in this study were depressed. Patients’ perception of the degree of social support appears to be a very significant predictor of depression in this group.https://sljpsyc.sljol.info/articles/8274breast cancer, depression, sri lanka
spellingShingle T. A. S. Prabhath
R. Ruben
The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry
breast cancer, depression, sri lanka
title The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri Lanka
title_full The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri Lanka
title_fullStr The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri Lanka
title_full_unstemmed The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri Lanka
title_short The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri Lanka
title_sort prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in sri lanka
topic breast cancer, depression, sri lanka
url https://sljpsyc.sljol.info/articles/8274
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