Les troubles dépressifs chez les patients atteints de cancer. Une étude marocaine

Abstract

Depression is frequently associated with cancer; its prevalence varies considerably because of the heterogeneity of the populations studied and the different methods of assessment used. The prevalence of depression in cancer patients ranges from 0 to 58%. The study that we conducted had objectives to estimate the prevalence of depression in a population of cancer patients, to describe their socio-demographic and clinical profile and to determine the possible factors influencing the occurrence of depression in these patients. The study was conducted at the oncology department of the university hospital Mohammed VI in Marrakech, involving 100 cancer patients assigns different sites and stadiums. The instruments used were MINI (DSM-IV) for the diagnosis of depression, and Beck Depression Inventory to assess its severity. The results showed that the prevalence of depression was 15%, in which 26,7% was severe, 60% moderate and 13,3% mild. The depression was frequently encountered among women, from 37 to 50 years old, married, had never been enrolled in school or with a university degree, with a localized cancer, whose discovery was made very early (1 to 3 months) or which exceeds 49 months. The depression was also frequently present in patients who had an indifferent familial entourage to their disease, and for those that the cost of care was not the main cause of discomfort. Greater attention should be given to these cancer patients, with screening and early treatment of depression, for overall and multidisciplinary care and better quality of life.