Study of Quality of Life, Anxiety and Depression among Cancer Survivors at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer survivors may experience mental health concerns that affect their emotions, behavior, memory, and ability to concentrate. For example, cancer survivors may feel emotional distress like depression, fear, and anxiety after being diagnosed with cancer. Present study was conducted to assess depression, anxiety level and quality of life of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: 42 cancer survivors (under cancer therapy for 1 year and above) visiting Department of Radiotherapy, Rama Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Hapur, UP, (India) are included in the present study. The study forms including the questions regarding the patient’s demographic characteristics, Becks Depression Inventory (BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and WHOQOL BREF were completed during face-to-face interviews for the determination of the psychological status of the patients. Results: Study sample consists of 16 (38.1%) males and 26 (61.9%) females. Maximum number of the sample belongs to the age group of ˃61 years (33.3%, 14). Further, 35 (83.3%) out of total 42 cases are married. There was a positive correlation between BDI and STAI and there is negative correlation between BDI and quality of life. Study sample was compared in terms of Quality of Life and STAI scores. Comparison on both scales shows that all the dimensions of the Quality of Life except D3= Domain 3 (Social Relationship) is negatively correlated with both the two sub-types of STAI. The state anxiety score is negatively correlated with D1=Domain 1 (Physical health; p<0.001), D2= Domain 2 (Psychological; p<0.001), D4= Domain 4 (Environment; p<0.001) and also the trait anxiety score of the sample is also negatively correlated with D1=Domain 1 (Physical health; p<0.001), D2= Domain 2 (Psychological; p<0.001), D4= Domain 4 (Environment; p<0.001). However, there is no significant difference in terms of D3= Domain 3 (Social Relationship; state anxiety p ˃ 0.001and trait anxiety p ˃ 0.001) and STAI scores. Conclusion: There is a need for methodological studies that measure QOL among cancer survivors more precisely by taking into account the effects of the severity of the cancer and the long-term impact of different treatments. Additional data are needed to help us understand the needs of survivors and to identify those subgroups of survivors who are at greatest risk for the adverse sequelae of the disease and its treatment.