Factors Associated with Depression in African American Patients Being Treated for Cancer Pain

Abstract

BackgroundAmong cancer patients in the United States, African American cancer patients have the highest mortality rate and shortest survival rate. Although depression is known as a predictor of mortality in cancer and a potential barrier to health care utilization, research on depression in African American patients is limited. Cancer pain can interfere with an individual’s ability to cope with depression. AimsTo identify factors that are associated with a positive screening of depressive symptoms assessed by the PHQ-8 in African American patients treated for cancer pain. DesignSecondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study of opioid adherence. SettingMedical oncology, palliative care, and radiation oncology clinics in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants/SubjectsAfrican American patients with cancer pain in the parent study. MethodsIndependent samples t-test was used to assess variable correlations with and without depressive symptoms. Adjusted logistic regression was conducted to identify factors that were associated with presence of depressive symptoms. ResultsMean patient age was 55.6 years, and nearly 38% had a PHQ-8 score of >10 indicating presence of moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Participants with depressive symptoms had significantly higher means for anxiety and pain interference with mood than those without depressive symptoms. Factors that were significantly associated with depressive symptoms were anxiety, pain interfering with mood, and lack of involvement with a religious congregation. ConclusionsThe findings of this study help to identify African American cancer patients at risk for depression and demonstrates the need for increased screening for depression in this underserved population.