ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC INFIRMITIES IN CANCER PATIENTS BY USING DASS21 IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Goverdhan Puchhakayala,
Professor and HOD,
Department of Clinical Pharmacy,
Vaagdevi College of Pharmacy,
Kakatiya University, MGM Hospital,
Warangal-506002, Telangana, India.
E-mail: goverdhanpuchakayala21@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

In India, around 2.0-2.5 million people are living with one (or) another type of cancer. Cancer leads to grief and pain. We wanted to evaluate the psychiatric infirmities (anxiety, depression and stress) in cancer patients using DASS 21.

METHODS

It is prospective and observational study, which was done at Department of Oncology, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Warangal. The data was gathered by administering the evaluated questionnaire response 21- characteristics depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS21) after taking informed consent and ethical approval.

RESULTS

112 subjects satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. The mean age of the cancer patients is (53.3±10.97) years with the most frequent age group being (30-39) years with female preponderance (80%). The internal consistency of DASS is (0.75). No significant correlation was found between age and psychiatric infirmities. There is a significant correlation found between depression and anxiety (p < 0.0005), stress and depression (p < 0.0004), stress and anxiety (p < 0.0001), anxiety and depression (p < 0.0001). Breast cancer has the highest prevalence of anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of anxiety is more when compared to depression and stress. The patients who are on radiation therapy are more liable to show psychological disorders. Breast cancer, head and neck cancer have higher prevalence of psychiatric disturbances in our study.

KEY WORDS

Cancer, DASS21, Depression, Anxiety, Stress