Prevalence of depression & anxiety in post-hysterectomy women & their association with quality of life: A cross-sectional hospital-based study.

Background & objectives Depression and anxiety are known sequelae in women who undergo hysterectomy. This study aims to assess and screen the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and quality of life (QoL) in women who underwent hysterectomy for benign gynaecological conditions and compare it across different age groups (15-29, 30-39, and 40-49 yr). Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 125 women who underwent hysterectomy in their reproductive age. Depression, anxiety, and QoL were assessed and screened using structured tools and analysed using JAMOVI software. Results Moderate to severe depression and anxiety were present in 38 (30.4 per cent), and 35 (28 per cent) women, respectively. Comorbidities were significantly associated with higher anxiety prevalence (P=0.035), but not with depression. Urban residents and those above the poverty line had better QoL scores. Depression and anxiety showed strong positive correlations with each other (r=0.949, P<0.001). They also showed significant negative correlations with poorer QoL, particularly in physical, and psychological domains and the total QoL. The different age groups (15-29, 30-39, 40-49 yr) showed no significant differences in the prevalence of both depression and anxiety as well as with the total and domain-wise QoL scores. Interpretation & conclusions We found no significant difference in QoL outcomes based on the age at which the surgery was performed but identified a strong link between higher depression and anxiety scores and poorer QoL.