Investigation of the Severity of Depressive Symptoms in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Abstract

The prevalence of depression is high in cancer patients. In the process of initiation, maintenance and completion of treatment, the detection of depression is closely associated with treatment outcomes. Therefore, awareness of this issue is of great significance at present. In view of the aforementioned information, the aim of the present study is to investigate the severity of depressive symptoms and factors that can lead to depression in cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Patients receiving chemotherapy in Diskapi Training and Research hospital and volunteering to participate in the study, were administered Beck Depression Inventory and asked to fill sociodemographic data form. The present study was carried out with 100 patients (55 female, 45 male) receiving treatment in outpatient chemotherapy unit. High depression score was detected in 21 (%) patients. In the evaluation of the factors influencing high depression score, the rate of high depression score was found to be higher in female patients (p: 0.03). Similarly the rate of high depression score was higher in patients at metastatic stage (p: 0.01). Apart from these, no other factor was found to be associated with high depression score. Depression is one of the factors that affect treatment compliance and prognosis of the disease. Therefore, awareness of this issue is quite important. Cancer treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach and in this patient groups, those with depressive characteristics should be especially supported. © 2019, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi. All rights reserved.