The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Major Depressive Disorders in Gynaecological
- Author:
BC Tee
;
CK Phang
;
A Rasidi
;
M Rushdan
;
I Aliyasand
;
S Hatta
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Major depressive disorder;
gynaecological cancer;
risk factors;
stress;
well-being
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2013;9(2):53-61
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in gynaecological cancer patients is a disabling illness with
signifi cant mental and physical suffering. Determining the risk factors of MDD in cancer patients enables
us to pay more attention to those who are vulnerable and to device effective strategies for prevention,
early detection, and treatment. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of MDD and
its associated risk factors in gynaecological cancer patients at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Star.
This is a hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive study of 120 gynaecological cancer patients in
Gynae-Oncology Unit in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Star. Mini International Neuropsychiatry
Interview (MINI) was used for diagnosis of MDD. Socio-demographic data and clinical variables
were collected. MVFSFI (Malay version Female Sexual Function Index) was used to determine sexual
dysfunction, and WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization – Quality of Life-26) was performed
to assess quality of life. The prevalence of MDD in gynaecological cancer patients in the study was
18%. The variables found to be signifi cantly associated with MDD were lack of perceived social
support, greater physical pain perception, presence of past psychiatric history, and poorer quality
of life. Meanwhile, sexual dysfunction was not associated with MDD. Logistic regression analysis
revealed that only the psychological health domain of QOL was signifi cantly associated with MDD,
and contributed to 60% of the variation in MDD. The prevalence of MDD in gynaecological cancer
patients is higher than those in the general population. In view that MDD can compromise cancer
prognosis and patient’s well-being, psychosocial intervention is recommended as a part of multidisciplinary
and comprehensive management of gynaecological cancer.
