1313 – Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among cancer patients admitted in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Introduction Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and India is no exception to this. The controversies and necessity of assessing the prevalence of psychological morbidity with validated instruments in cancer patients, which can have important ramifications, in service delivery led to the present study. Aims and objectives To study the Prevalence and correlates of psychiatric morbidity in cancer patients and find the factors associated with psychiatric illness in cancer patients in a tertiary care centre. Methods Patients admitted in Radiotherapy ward of Medical College Trivandrum who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were assessed using translated and validated MINI 6.0, delirium rating scale and Adjustment disorder questionnaire after obtaining informed consent. Results Of the 384 patients assessed the prevalence of Psychiatric disorders was 41.7% with adjustment disorders contributing to 22.6%, major depressive disorders 10.9%, delirium 6.5%, and hypomania 1.6% and age, past history of chemotherapy, past history of radiotherapy, & surgical treatment of carcinomas were significantly associated with psychiatric disorders. Conclusions Cancer is associated with Psychiatric disorders and affects patients. Psychological interventions can alleviate the distress of these persons and provisions of psychological support should be is an important component in the care of these patients.