Szorongás, depresszió, valamint fizikai tüneti terhek felmérése és összefüggéseik megismerése daganatos betegek körében
Gergely Varga, Rita Horváth, Csilla Busa, Edit Virág, László Mangel, Ágnes Csikós
Abstract
Introduction: Cancer is characterized by increased psychological burdens. Significant physical symptoms and multimorbidity can be risk factors for the development of anxiety and depression in cancer patients, the correlations of which have not yet been investigated in Hungary. Objective: Our aim was to (1) assess the level of anxiety and (2) depression among cancer patients, (3) examine which physical symptoms are the most common in oncology patients, (4) learn about anxiety, depression and physical symptoms, (5) observe the relationships of multimorbidity in cancer patients. Methods: In our cross-sectional study, we included patients over the age of 18 diagnosed with cancer. During the processing of the quantitative data, the results were considered significant if the p value was below 0.05. Result: 113 patients participated in the study. In 29.2% of the respondents, we measured a level of anxiety higher than the normal limit, and depression was present in 36.2% in varying degrees of severity. Sleep difficulties were reported by 69.5% of those interviewed, fatigue by 66.3%, and pain by 52.2%. Those showing anxiety and depression above the normal value reported having more physical symptoms on average. A significant correlation was demonstrated between those showing depression above the normal value and fatigue and pain. In terms of multimorbidity, those showing a higher level of anxiety suffered from more chronic diseases on average. Discussion: The level of anxiety in our study is higher, but the level of depression is in line with international data. Sleep difficulties occur more frequently in our study, but the occurrence of fatigue and pain is consistent with the results of international research. Similar to international studies published so far, our study also points to a significant correlation between multimorbidity, increased physical symptoms, and anxiety and depression. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are present in high proportion of oncology patients. Among these patients, sleep difficulties occur in the highest proportion, followed by fatigue and pain. Not only do the levels of anxiety and depression show a direct correlation with the physical symptoms experienced by the patients, but in addition it has been observed that multimorbidity also increases the level of anxiety in patients. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(8): 309–317.