Prevalence of depression and its correlations: a cross-sectional study in Thai cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Depression is common in cancer patients. However, only limited evidence is available for Asian populations. The authors therefore examine the prevalence of depression in Thai patients with cancer. In addition, associated factors were determined.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted in cancer patients admitted to a university hospital during December 2006--December 2007. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess all cancer patients. Suicidal risk was assessed by using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) in the module of suicidal risk assessment.


RESULTS
Of 108 cancer patients, 29.6% were diagnosed with a depressive disorder (mild, 14.8%; moderate, 5.6%; severe, 9.3%). However, only 25.0% of these were recognized as being depressed by the primary physician. According to the MINI., 28.1% of these depressed cancer patients had a moderate to severe level of suicidal risk. In addition, the findings suggest that increased risk of depression is significantly associated with increased pain score, lower number of cancer treatments (<2 methods), increased educational duration (>13 years), increased age (>50 years old) and being female.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of depression is high in Thai cancer patients. However, depressive disorder in those patients is frequently undiagnosed. It is associated with several factors including pain, a number of cancer treatments, education duration, age and sex. To improve quality of life, increase compliance with treatments and prevent of suicide, screening for depressive disorders in this patient group is strongly recommended.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Benchalak
B
Maneeton
Narong
N
Maneeton
Pojai
P
Mahathep
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult