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Self-reported depression in adolescent cancer patients
C K Tebbi1, C Bromberg, J C Mallon
1Adolescent Unit, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263.
The American Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Depression rates in adolescent cancer patients are similar to the general population. Somatic symptoms were more common than psychological ones, but most patients showed no or moderate depression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Medicine
Background:
- Adolescent cancer patients face unique psychosocial challenges.
- Understanding depression prevalence and presentation in this group is crucial for supportive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of depression in adolescent cancer patients.
- To compare depression symptoms (physical vs. psychological) and rates with the general population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) in 30 adolescent cancer patients.
- Analyzed BDI scores for depression severity and SADS for depression history.
- Compared scores between genders and between physical and psychological symptom items.
Main Results:
- 87% of patients showed no depression, 13% moderate depression via BDI; 75% had no depression history via SADS.
- Somatic symptoms were reported more frequently than psychological symptoms.
- Depression rates were comparable to the general population; females scored higher on physical BDI items.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent cancer patients do not exhibit higher rates of major depression than the general population.
- Somatic symptoms may be more indicative of depression in this cohort.
- The possibility of masked depression symptoms warrants further investigation.