Prevalence of Depression and the Quality-of-Life of Breast Cancer Patients in Jordan

Abstract

Laiali Alquraan,1 Karem H Alzoubi,2 Suzie Rababa’h,3 Reema Karasneh,4 Sayer Al-azzam,2 Ahmad Al-Azayzih2,5 1Department of Biology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 3Department of Medical Science, Irbid Faculty, Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU), Irbid, Jordan; 4Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan; 5Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Laiali AlquraanDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yarmouk University, P.O. Box 566, Irbid 21163, JordanTel [phone]/ext. 2831Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: The objectives of the current study are to evaluate the prevalence of depression symptoms among breast cancer patients in Jordan and impact of the disease on patient’s quality-of-life.Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted over a 6-month period among breast cancer patients attending two major hospitals in Jordan. A validated questionnaire was used to evaluate the prevalence of depression symptoms and quality-of-life aspects among those patients utilizing Beck’s Depression Inventory-II score and 36-Item Survey Form (SF-36) score, respectively.Results: The mean age±SD of patients (n=169) was 49.12± 6.48 years. Depression symptoms were reported in 30.2% of patients. As for quality-of-life, the physical functioning (PF) subscale was significantly associated with the patient’s age (P=0.03). The role-physical (RP) subscale was associated with number of sleeping hours (P=0.038). Marital status of breast cancer patients was significantly associated with role-emotional (RE) (P=0.015) and mental health (MH) (P=0.009) subscales. The number of patient’s siblings was significantly associated with daily habits such as PF (P=0.031) and RP (P=0.005) subscales. Moreover, the occupation of patients was associated with the PF (P=0.041) and MH (P=0.049).Conclusion: About one-third of breast cancer patients reported depression symptoms. Quality-of-life subscales among those patients were associated with multiple social and health determinants, such as age, marital status, number of siblings, occupation, and number of sleeping hours. There is urgent need to support this group of patients to help them to cope with depression symptoms and to improve their quality-of-life.Keywords: breast cancer, depression, quality-of-life, Beck’s Depression Inventory, SF-36

Keywords

• breast cancer
• depression
• quality of life
• beck’s depression inventory
• sf-36