|
||||
Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS |
||||
ISSN 1681-715X |
||||
|
||||
- |
||||
ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
||||
- |
||||
Volume 25 |
October - December 2009 (Part-I) |
Number 5 |
||
|
||||
|
Depression and anxiety in cancer patients in
outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan
Imtiaz Ahmad Dogar1, Muhammad Waqar Azeem2,
Memoona Kiran3, Ijaz Hussain4, Khalid Mehmood5,
Iram Hina6
ABSTRACT
Objective: To examine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer in an outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Methodology: This study was conducted between May 2006 and January 2007. The sample consisted of 60 diagnosed cancer patients (30 males/30 females). DSM- IV criteria and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to diagnose and assess anxiety and depression.
Results: Fifty two percent (31 patients, 10 males/21 females) of the subjects reported having symptoms of anxiety, depression or both according to DSM IV Criteria, (anxiety =14, males six / females eight, depression = 6, males two / females four , and depression + anxiety both = 11, males two / females nine). A total of 70% (21/30) of the entire female sample met the criteria for depression, anxiety or both. A total of 33% (10/30) of the entire male sample met the criteria for depression, anxiety or both.
Conclusion: This study shows high prevalence rates of depression and anxiety in cancer patients in Pakistan. The oncologists and internists treating cancer patients should screen their patients for symptoms of depression and anxiety.
KEY WORDS:
Cancer, Depression, Anxiety, Oncology.Pak J Med Sci October - December 2009 (Part-I) Vol. 25 No. 5 734-737
How to cite this article:
Dogar IA, Azeem MW, Kiran M, Hussain I, Mehmood K, Hina I. Depression and anxiety in cancer patients in outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci 2009;25(5):734-737.
1. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Dogar, FCPS,
Associate Professor and Head
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
2. Dr. Muhammad Waqar Azeem, MD, FAACAP
Medical Director Riverview Hospital for Children and Youth,
Connecticut, USA, Associate Training Director Yale Child Study Center /
Riverview Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship,
Assistant Clinical Professor Yale University School of
Medicine Connecticut, Assistant Clinical Professor,
Department of Psychiatry University of Connecticut School of Medicine,
Connecticut, USA, Diplomate American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
(General Psychiatry) and
(Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
3. Memoona Kiran, MSc,
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
4. Dr. Ijaz Hussain Shah, DMRT,
Associate Professor and Head Department of
Clinical Oncology, Faisalabad – Pakistan.
5. Dr. Khalid Mehmood, DMRT,
Senior Registrar Department of Clinical Oncology,
6. Iram Hina, MSc,
1,3-6: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Punjab Medical College and Allied Hospitals,
Faisalabad – Pakistan.
Correspondence
Dr. Muhammad Waqar Azeem, MD,
E-mail: mwazeem@yahoo.com
* Received for Publication: March 24, 2009
* Revision Received: July 25, 2009
* Revision Accepted: July 28, 2009
HOME | SEARCH | CURRENT ISSUE | PAST ISSUES
Professional
Medical Publications
Room No. 522, 5th Floor, Panorama Centre
Building No. 2, P.O. Box 8766, Saddar, Karachi - Pakistan.
Phones : 5688791, 5689285 Fax : 5689860
pjms@pjms.com.pk