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Self-Reported Depression of Cancer Patients Under 2019 Novel Coronavirus Pandemic
11 Pages Posted: 26 Mar 2020
More...Abstract
Background: Depression is a common emotional disorder, which can be life-threatening and seriously affects the quality of life especially in cancer patients. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which is prevalent all over the world, seriously affect the mood, sleep and cancer treatment of patients. However, there is no data on depression in cancer patients under COVID-19 epidemic. Thus, this study focuses on depression status of cancer patients under this pandemic.
Methods: A survey was conducted to patients of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital through social media platforms (Wechat). Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) was used to evaluate the influence of novel coronavirus on cancer patients. A total of 116 cancer patients replied to this survey, 86 patients with comprehensive information were included in the analysis.
Findings: The incidence of depression in cancer patients was 40.7% (35/86) under novel coronavirus pandemic, 71.4%(25/35) of them was mild and 28.6% (10/35) was moderate. None severe case was found in this study. Multivariate analysis of logistic regression revealed that gender (OR=3.680; 95%CI, 1.132-11.962; p=0.030) was significantly associated with the depression. The epidemic of COVID-19 impact mood, sleep and stress in 19.8%(17/86), 5.8%(5/86) and 17.4%(15/86) of cancer patients respectively.
Interpretation: The prevalence of COVID-19 was likely to increase the incidence of depression in cancer patients. Evaluation and follow-up should be strengthened and interventions should be performed in time to improve the mental health and quality of life.
Funding Statement: None
Declaration of Interests: All authors declare no competing interests.
Ethics Approval Statement: This study was exempted from ethical approval by Ethics Committees of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital.
Keywords: depression; cancer; 2019 novel coronavirus
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation