Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among cancer patients - hospital-based, cross-sectional survey.

AIM: To study the prevalence of Psychiatric disorders in cancer patients and to find out the factors associated with Psychiatric disorders in Cancer Patients.

SETTINGS AND

DESIGN

Department of Radiotherapy, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, cross sectional survey design was used.

METHODS AND MATERIAL: Adult patients (18 years of age and above), having a diagnosis of carcinoma were selected by consecutive sampling method.A questionnaire which included back ground data, socio economic variables, treatment variables like type of malignancy, exposure to radiation & chemotherapy prior to the evaluation and current treatment, co occurring medical illness & treatment and past & family history of psychiatric illness was used to collect data. Delirium rating scale and MINI International neuropsychiatric interview were used to assess Psychiatric disorders and delirium.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi square and logistics regression tests were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 384 assessed, 160(41.7%) had psychiatric disorders. Adjustment disorders were seen in 22.6%. 10.9% of subjects had major depressive disorder. Thus a total of 33.5% of patients had a diagnosis of either anxiety or depressive disorder. Proportion of patients having delirium was 6.5%. Hypomania was seen in small (1.6%) of patients. Multivariate analysis for various parameters for psychiatric disorders showed that age, past history of chemotherapy, past history of radiotherapy, & surgical treatment of carcinomas are significant predictors of psychiatric disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric disorders are seen in a significant proportion of Psychiatric patients.