Contributions
Abstract: PB2384
Type: Publication Only
Background
Cancer is the third most common cause of death in Malaysia according to the National Cancer Registry in 2007. It is well documented that many cancer patients experienced significant symptoms of anxiety and depression. The shift of cancer patients’ care is now mainly towards home care and outpatient treatment and hence increasingly, family members are becoming more involved in the care of these patients. Good social support from close relationship especially from spouse or family members is one of the important factors which have a protective effect on risk of anxiety and depression. Many studies had reported that caregivers also experience psychological distress. It was reported that as high as 38.1% of caregivers had anxiety and 82.2% had depression. However, there is limited information available in Malaysia which specifically report on the prevalence of psychological distress of the caregivers.
Aims
This study aims to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression of all cancer patients and their caregivers in a teaching institution in Malaysia.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study where family caregivers and patients who had been diagnosed with cancers within the last 12 months were recruited in University Malaya Medical Centre. Their psychological symptoms were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and scores of >7 was used to demonstrate symptoms of anxiety or depression. Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to identify the social support factors perceived by the patients.
Results
A total of 109 patients with underlying diagnosis of cancer and their caregivers (109) were recruited from September 2016 to December 2017. The age of patient’s ranges from 18 years to 91 years (mean 52.94 ± SD 16.49), while the mean age of caregivers is 47.3 years (ranges 17 to 80). Majority of the patients (52%) were male, while most of the caregivers (64%) were female. Majority of patients were Chinese (56%), followed by Malay (32%) and Indian (10%). There were almost equal proportion of patients interviewed who had solid tumors and haematological malignancies. The prevalence rate of patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression was 33.9% and 39.4% respectively. The prevalence rate of caregivers with symptoms of anxiety and depression was 38.5% and 27.5% respectively. There was no significant association of anxiety and depression with the demographic factors of patients. Greater proportion of the female caregivers (45%) reported symptoms of anxiety compared to male caregivers (25.6%), P <0.05. There was significantly higher prevalence of anxiety if the caregivers are the only person providing care to patients, 51.0% vs 29.7%, P <0.05. There was significant correlation of anxiety and depression of patients and caregivers, P<0.05. The mean total scores of perceived social support of the patients were relatively high is 69.64; the mean score of significant others subscale was 24.27, family subscale was 25 and friends subscale was 20.39. There was no significant association of the perceived support with risk of anxiety or depression in patients.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that family caregivers experienced high prevalence of anxiety and depression. It would appear that there was a correlation between patients and caregivers’ psychological distress. Therefore, it is important to ensure adequate support be provided to caregivers.
Session topic: 36. Quality of life, palliative care, ethics and health economics
Keyword(s): Cancer, Depression
Abstract: PB2384
Type: Publication Only
Background
Cancer is the third most common cause of death in Malaysia according to the National Cancer Registry in 2007. It is well documented that many cancer patients experienced significant symptoms of anxiety and depression. The shift of cancer patients’ care is now mainly towards home care and outpatient treatment and hence increasingly, family members are becoming more involved in the care of these patients. Good social support from close relationship especially from spouse or family members is one of the important factors which have a protective effect on risk of anxiety and depression. Many studies had reported that caregivers also experience psychological distress. It was reported that as high as 38.1% of caregivers had anxiety and 82.2% had depression. However, there is limited information available in Malaysia which specifically report on the prevalence of psychological distress of the caregivers.
Aims
This study aims to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression of all cancer patients and their caregivers in a teaching institution in Malaysia.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study where family caregivers and patients who had been diagnosed with cancers within the last 12 months were recruited in University Malaya Medical Centre. Their psychological symptoms were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and scores of >7 was used to demonstrate symptoms of anxiety or depression. Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to identify the social support factors perceived by the patients.
Results
A total of 109 patients with underlying diagnosis of cancer and their caregivers (109) were recruited from September 2016 to December 2017. The age of patient’s ranges from 18 years to 91 years (mean 52.94 ± SD 16.49), while the mean age of caregivers is 47.3 years (ranges 17 to 80). Majority of the patients (52%) were male, while most of the caregivers (64%) were female. Majority of patients were Chinese (56%), followed by Malay (32%) and Indian (10%). There were almost equal proportion of patients interviewed who had solid tumors and haematological malignancies. The prevalence rate of patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression was 33.9% and 39.4% respectively. The prevalence rate of caregivers with symptoms of anxiety and depression was 38.5% and 27.5% respectively. There was no significant association of anxiety and depression with the demographic factors of patients. Greater proportion of the female caregivers (45%) reported symptoms of anxiety compared to male caregivers (25.6%), P <0.05. There was significantly higher prevalence of anxiety if the caregivers are the only person providing care to patients, 51.0% vs 29.7%, P <0.05. There was significant correlation of anxiety and depression of patients and caregivers, P<0.05. The mean total scores of perceived social support of the patients were relatively high is 69.64; the mean score of significant others subscale was 24.27, family subscale was 25 and friends subscale was 20.39. There was no significant association of the perceived support with risk of anxiety or depression in patients.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that family caregivers experienced high prevalence of anxiety and depression. It would appear that there was a correlation between patients and caregivers’ psychological distress. Therefore, it is important to ensure adequate support be provided to caregivers.
Session topic: 36. Quality of life, palliative care, ethics and health economics
Keyword(s): Cancer, Depression