CN64 - Assessment of depression among lung cancer patients with type 2 diabetes using centre for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D)

Background

Cancer and diabetes both are highly prevalent diseases. Depression often occurs in patients with lung cancer patients and it is a common symptom in individuals with diabetes 2. The purpose of this study was to assess depression in patients with lung cancer and diabetes type 2 undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a large oncology hospital in a major city in Northern Greece. It involved a convenience sample consisting of 100 lung cancer patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing chemotherapy. Data was collected using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and a questionnaire to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics. The CES-D is a self-rating 20-item scale with a recommended threshold score of 16 for indicating the presence of threshold depression.

Results

The mean age of the sample was 59.57±5.04 years. The majority of the patients were males and married (74%) and were freelancers (21%). Regarding clinical characteristics, most of the participants (31%) underwent surgical removal of the tumor, had small –cell lung cancer (51%). The vast majority of patients received carboplatin (74%). Also, oral medication is the treatment for diabetes (49%). The mean score in CES-depression was 39,47 ±6,16, higher than 16. Comparison between demographic and clinical characteristics and the CES –depression score respectively, have shown that gender (p=0.01) and educational status affected the level of depression (p=0.001). The existence of metastases affected the score of depression (p=0.02). In addition, the type of diabetes treatment affected the overall score of depression (p=0.002). There were not statistically significant correlation between depression and clinical characteristics.

Conclusions

Depression is a symptom experienced by Greek lung cancer patients with diabetes type 2. The results of this study support healthcare professionals to manage the symptom effectively and help their patients.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.