Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T15:45:24.129Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Prevalence of depression among relatives of cancer patients in Jordan: A cross-sectional survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Nizar M. Mhaidat ,
Suleiman A. Ai-Sweedan ,
Karem H. Alzoubi ,
Sayer I. Alazzam ,
Mohammed N. Banihani ,
Muneer O. Bani Yasin  and
Majed M Massadeh
Nizar M. Mhaidat*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Suleiman A. Ai-Sweedan
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Karem H. Alzoubi
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Sayer I. Alazzam
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Mohammed N. Banihani
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Muneer O. Bani Yasin
Affiliation:
Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Computer Science & Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Majed M Massadeh
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Nizar M. Mhaidat, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

Depression is common among chronically ill patients and their relatives. In this article, we investigated the prevalence of depression among relatives of cancer patients in Jordan, and studied the relation between several socio-demographic, disease- and treatment-related factors, together with the occurrence of depression among those relatives.

Method:

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted at a major university hospital in Jordan. Relatives of cancer patients were interviewed for socio-demographic information, and medical records were checked for information about disease and treatment of patient. Psychological status of the relative was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale (HADS).

Results:

The prevalence of depression in our sample was 81.9%. Age and degree of relatedness were significantly correlated with the occurrence of depression among relatives of cancer patients. Significant correlations were also detected between depression among patient's relatives and the stage of the disease. Positive predictive factors for depression included relatives being middle aged, close relatedness, patients being in advanced disease stage, and on chemotherapy or undergoing surgery for cancer treatment.

Significance of results:

Depression is prevalent among relatives of cancer patients. Therefore, more attention is needed to detect changes in the psychological state of vulnerable relatives of cancer patients, in an effort to reduce the occurrence of depression.

Keywords

DepressionCancerRelativesJordanHADS
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 25 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

De Boer, M.F., Ryckman, R.M., Pruyn, J.F., et al. (1999) Psychosocial correlates of cancer relapse and survival: A literature review. Patient Education and Counseling, 37, 215–230.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Edwards, B. & Clarke, V. (2004). The psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis on families: The influence of family functioning and patients' illness characteristics on depression and anxiety. Psychooncology, 13, 562–576.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fallowfield, L., Ratcliffe, D., Jenkins, V., et al. (2001). Psychiatric morbidity and its recognition by doctors in patients with cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 84, 1011–1015.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jacobsen, P.B. & Jim, H.S. (2008). Psychosocial interventions for anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients: Achievements and challenges. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 58, 214–230.Google Scholar
Massie, M.J., Gagnon, P. & Holland, J.C. (1994). Depression and suicide in patients with cancer. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 9, 325–340.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McDaniel, J.S., Musselman, D.L., Porter, M.R., et al. (1995). Depression in patients with cancer. Diagnosis, biology, and treatment. Archives of General Psychiatry, 52, 89–99.Google Scholar
Mhaidat, N.M., Alzoubi, K.H., Al-Sweedan, S., et al. (2009). Prevalence of depression among cancer patients in Jordan: A national survey. Supportive Care in Cancer, 17, 1403–1407.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ozono, S., Saeki, T., Inoue, S., et al. (2005). Family functioning and psychological distress among Japanese breast cancer patients and families. Supportive Care in Cancer, 13, 1044–1050.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Papastavrou, E., Charalambous, A. & Tsangari, H. (2009). Exploring the other side of cancer care: The informal caregiver. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 13, 128–136.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Passik, S.D., Dugan, W., McDonald, M.V., et al. (1998). Oncologists' recognition of depression in their patients with cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 16, 1594–1600.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pirl, W.F. (2004). Evidence report on the occurrence, assessment, and treatment of depression in cancer patients. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs, 32, 32–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, M.L. & Newland, A.C. (1999). Treatment of myeloma. QJM, 92, 11–14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tsigaroppoulos, T., Mazaris, E. & Chatzidarellis, E. (2009). Problems faced by relatives caring for cancer patients at home. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 15, 1–6.Google Scholar
Wong-Kim, E.C. & Bloom, J.R. (2005). Depression experienced by young women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Psychooncology, 14, 564–573.Google Scholar
Zigmond, A.S. & Snaith, R.P. (1983). The hospital anxiety and depression scale. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 67, 361–370.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed