Scribd
Upload
33 views4 pages

Oncology Patients' Anxiety & Depression Study

Uploaded by

carolincarolin098
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • anxiety symptoms,
  • emotional distress,
  • cancer anxiety,
  • lifestyle changes,
  • patient outcomes,
  • oncology patients,
  • mental health,
  • socio demographic factors,
  • public health concern,
  • clinical variables
33 views4 pages

Oncology Patients' Anxiety & Depression Study

Uploaded by

carolincarolin098
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • anxiety symptoms,
  • emotional distress,
  • cancer anxiety,
  • lifestyle changes,
  • patient outcomes,
  • oncology patients,
  • mental health,
  • socio demographic factors,
  • public health concern,
  • clinical variables

TITLE

A descriptive study to assess hospital anxiety and depression among oncology


patients admitted in general oncology ward of CMC hospital, Ranipet.

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND

Cancer diagnosis is linked to fear and unpleasant feelings, being a source of great distress
for patients, and it also affects physical ,emotional psychological wellbeing of patients and
their families [Eleni Arvanitou,2023]. Upon diagnosis of cancer on a patient, the news can
break the heart before proper preparation is made. Patients may have fear of death,
disruption of life plans, changes in body image and self-esteem, changes in social role,
change in lifestyle, financial concerns and they experience varying levels of stress. This
stress shows up as anxiety and/or depression [Firnus Berihun,2017] .

Cancer has become a commonly diagnosed chronic disease that influences many aspects
of an individual’s life. It is a disease that affects the patient’s life globally; generally seen as
a disease whose synonym is suffering and death . In the Biological sphere, the patient
faces debilitating symptoms and an invasive and prolonged treatment with unpleasant side
effects. . Approximately, 30%–40% of cancer patients present with some form of mood
disorder. The incidence of anxiety and depression seems to vary, depending on
Sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, marital status,
and also based on clinical variables like type of cancer, duration of illness, duration of
hospital stay.

A study from Europe by Alexandra Pitman,2018 suggests that about 20% and 10% of
patients with cancer are affected by depression and Anxiety, which is higher than the
general population, accounting for 5% and 7% respectively. The magnitude of depression
among patients with cancer ranges from 5% to 60%. Whereas, 37% and 55.7% of terminally
ill Patients with cancer had anxiety and depression respectively. In addition, the burden of
Depressive and anxiety disorders among palliative Care patients with cancer was shown as
20.7% And 13.9% respectively . Evidence from Australia,2010 showed that about 45.8% of
palliative Cancer patients had depression whereas 36.9% had anxiety. Hence, anxiety and
depression were common problems among patients with cancer.

2. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM

Depressed patients have been found to be less likely to adhere to treatment. Mental
distress and depressive symptoms have been associated with prolongation of
hospitalization while patients with anxiety symptoms are more likely to be re‐admitted. In
general, symptoms of anxiety and depression were shown to be associated with a worse
course of disease, including increased health care use, and even mortality. Psychological
disorder namely depression and anxiety will bring both extra cost of medical burden and
impact to the whole health care system.

The upward trend In deaths resulting from cancer is a public health concern and a problem
that needs to be addressed . Given the seriousness of its impact, it is important to better
understand and evaluate the overall impact of the disease and to identify what socio
demographic and clinical variables influence patient’s psychological well being.

When performed a search using ‘’Anxiety and depression in cancer patients AND Indian
population,” which resulted in 17 results when the search was restricted to the past 10
years. Out of these, only four studies were exclusively conducted on Indian patients with
various cancer types wherein anxiety and depression were evaluated.

With this background and the scarcity of studies on psychological parameters, including
anxiety and depression in the Indian population clinically diagnosed with cancer, the
present study is initiated.

However, less number of local research attempted to examine the possible


Sociodemographic factors associated with depression and anxiety among these particular
groups of patients. Consequently, little information exists on the prevalence of depression
and anxiety among cancer patients and possible clinical factors associated with
depression and anxiety.

Understanding the clinical or socio demographic variables associated to anxiety and


depression in cancer patients can lead to more targeted interventions. This can ultimately
improve psychological well-being and overall quality of life for patients undergoing cancer
treatment.
3. PROBLEM STATEMENT

A descriptive study to assess hospital anxiety and depression among oncology patients
admitted in general oncology ward of CMC hospital, Ranipet.

4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

* To assess prevalence of hospital anxiety and depression among oncology patients.

* To identify socio demographic and clinical variables that influencing hospital anxiety and
depression .

5. HYPOTHESES

There is a significant relationship between socio demographic factors (such as age, gender,
socioeconomic status, marital status, occupation) and clinical variables (such as medical
diagnosis, duration of illness, duration of hospital stay) with levels of hospital anxiety and
depression among oncology patients.”

6. OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

Anxiety -Scores assessed using the HADS Anxiety subscale, which consists of 7 items rated
on a 4-point Likert scale (0-3) in which the scores range from 0 to 21, with higher score of
16-21 indicate severe anxiety ,11-15 indicate moderate anxiety,8-10 indicate mild anxiety
and less than 7 is normal.

Depression-Scores assessed using the HADS depression subscale, which consists of 7


items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0-3) in which the scores range from 0 to 21, with
higher score of 16-21 indicate severe depression ,11-15 indicate moderate depression,8-10
indicate mild depression and less than 7 is considered normal.

7.ASSUMPTIONS

Significant portion of oncology patients experience anxiety and depression due to socio
demographic and clinical factors .
8. DELIMITATIONS

*The study is limited to a time period of 2 weeks.

*The study is done in selected wards in a single tertiary care hospital.

9.PROJECTED OUTCOME

This study helps to identify the prevalence and factors contributing to hospital anxiety and
depression that can lead to better support systems and interventions for oncology
patients, potentially improving their overall well-being and treatment adherence.

Study findings can inform nurses in developing individualized care plans that integrate both
medical and psychological support for patients experiencing hospital anxiety and
depression .

Common questions

Powered by AI

The HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) plays a crucial role in assessing anxiety and depression among cancer patients, using a subscale consisting of 7 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale. It categorizes the severity of anxiety and depression into normal, mild, moderate, and severe based on score ranges. This tool facilitates the timely identification and treatment of psychological issues, contributing to better management of patients' mental health .

Exploring these variables is important to identify high-risk groups and tailor interventions that address specific psychological needs, improving patient outcomes. This focus can guide future research towards understanding diverse population dynamics and developing comprehensive care strategies that improve the quality of life for cancer patients globally .

Cancer diagnosis significantly impacts patients' psychological well-being, causing distress and affecting their emotional health. The main psychological challenges identified include fear of death, disruption of life plans, changes in body image and self-esteem, and alterations in social roles. These challenges often manifest as anxiety and depression, which are influenced by sociodemographic factors and clinical conditions such as type of cancer and duration of illness .

The study assumes that a significant portion of oncology patients experience anxiety and depression influenced by sociodemographic and clinical factors. These assumptions guide the exploration of these factors and the development of interventions, potentially affecting study outcomes by highlighting areas needing more targeted research and clinical attention .

Anxiety and depression negatively impact treatment adherence and disease progression in cancer patients by increasing mental distress and associating with prolonged hospitalizations. Patients with anxiety are more likely to be readmitted, while those with depression may have reduced adherence to treatment regimens, potentially leading to worse health outcomes and increased healthcare resource utilization .

The findings underscore the necessity of integrating both medical and psychological support in care plans for oncology patients. Components should include regular psychological assessments, therapy sessions tailored to patient needs, medication management for mental health conditions, and education about coping strategies. These elements are crucial for optimizing mental health support, improving patient adherence to treatment, and enhancing their overall well-being .

The study projects that identifying and addressing anxiety and depression will lead to better support systems and interventions, thereby improving the overall well-being and treatment adherence of oncology patients. Benefits include developing individualized care plans that integrate both medical and psychological support, enhancing patient outcomes, reducing hospital readmissions, and contributing to more efficient use of healthcare resources .

The study links anxiety and depression to clinical variables such as medical diagnosis, duration of illness, and duration of hospital stay in oncology patients. These findings suggest that patients with longer hospital stays and advanced-stage illnesses are at higher risk. The implications for clinical practice include the need for routine psychological assessments and integrating mental health support into treatment plans, paving the way for comprehensive patient care that addresses both physical and psychological aspects .

The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Indian oncology patients due to the scarcity of localized research. It contributes to mental health care by revealing the sociodemographic and clinical factors influencing these psychological conditions, allowing for targeted interventions. This understanding can improve patients' psychological well-being and quality of life during cancer treatment, highlighting the need for more research in diverse population groups .

The primary sociodemographic factors influencing anxiety and depression in oncology patients include age, gender, socioeconomic status, and marital status. These factors are significant as they help in stratifying patients into high-risk groups for mental health issues, enabling healthcare providers to tailor specific psychological interventions to improve patients' mental well-being and adherence to treatment .

You might also like