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IntroductionDepression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the elderly and its consequences are severe.AimsTo measure the prevalence of depression in elderly cancer patients and subsequently determine the sociodemographic and clinical factors correlated with this disorder.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study of patients aged over than 65 years old, suffering from cancer and who had no cognitive impairment, admitted in 2013 in the Oncology and palliative care unit of Gabes regional Hospital (Tunisia). We used a self-rating questionnaire to detect sociodemographics and clinical variables, the Geriatric depression scale (GDS) to assess depressive symptoms, and the Activity of Daily Living to determine the degree of autonomy.ResultsAt the end of our investigation, we included 60 patients. The prevalence of depression was 48%. Depression was significantly correlated with: marital status (widower subjects were more depressed (74% vs. 34%, P = 0.007)), less degree of autonomy (80% vs. 38%, P = 0.04), fatigue (62% vs. 26%, P = 0.007), pain (59% vs. 26%, P = 0.02), family psychiatric history (80% vs. 20%, P = 0.02), family history of death by cancer (72% vs. 38%, P = 0.01), WHO condition (67% vs. 34%, P = 0.04) and the presence of co morbidity in particularly diabetes (69% vs. 41%, P = 0.05).ConclusionDepression is prevalent in oncogeriatric environments. This could compromise quality of support and care of these patients. Close collaboration between oncologist and psychiatrist is needed to support and relieve these patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The Burnout or the professional exhaustion syndrome is common among doctors, especially primary care practitioners. The rates range from 25 to 76% according to specialties.Aims:Main objective was to assess the prevalence of burnout in Tunisian primary care practitioners working in public sector in the region of the Cap Bon. Secondary objectives were to determine the risk factors and the consequences associated with this syndrome.Methods:transversal study using four scales: Anonymous auto questionnaire elaborated by the medical team, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Beck Depression inventory (BDI) and the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). The MBI explores the three dimensions of Burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. In our study, the Burnout was defined by the presence of two or three pathological dimensions.Results:113 questionnaires were exploitable (85.6% of the sample). The results of the MBI showed that one third of doctors suffer from Burnout and 7.1% have severe attaints. 35% of the doctors had high score of emotional exhaustion, 21% had high depersonalization and 40% had a low score of personal accomplishment. The Burnout was significantly associated with depression (p < 0.001), suicidality (p=0.023) and anxious temperament (p< 0.001). On the other hand, a continued medical education protected significantly against the Burnout (p=0.003). Professional exhaustion was significantly related to the wish of reconversion (p=0.023) and to relational difficulties with patients and colleagues. The solutions proposed were the increase of the number of doctors and a better education of medical students in general medicine.

IntroductionThe COVID19 outbreak has disrupted the mental health of resident doctors who had to care for patients. Eating disorders were among these reported mental health problems.ObjectivesTo screen binge eating disorder among young Tunisian doctors and its associated factors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical online-based survey, from April 19, 2020, to May 5, 2020 on 180 medical residents in training. We sent the survey via a google form link. We used a self-administered anonymous questionnaire containing sociodemographic and clinical data of young doctors. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria were used to assess Binge-Eating Disorder.ResultsAmong 180 young doctors who enrolled the survey, 70,2% were female, 16% were married. The mean age was 29 years. 51,1% were frontline caregivers, working directly in diagnosing, treating or caring for patients with coronavirus disease. Among our participants, 5% presented anxiety disorder, another 5 % presented depression disorder and 1,7% had eating disorder. Binge eating disorder were present among 8,9 % of participants and it was associated to personal history of eating disorder (7,7% vs 1,1%, p<10-3), past history of depression disorder (7,2% vs 3,3%, p=0.008), exposure to media or news about coronavirus outbreak (0.5% vs 8,3%, p=0.04).ConclusionsOur study indicated the evolving proportion of binge eating disorder among young doctors. Screening eating disorder is important in order to prevent related physical health problems.

BackgroundThere is a bi-directional relationship between depression and chronic medical disorders.AimsThe objectives of our study were to measure the prevalence of depression in the elderly with chronic medical illness in primary care and to determine the socio-demographic and clinical factors related to depression.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study of patients aged over 65, followed at the outpatient chronic diseases in Oudhref's district hospital (south of Tunisia) during the month of September 2014. We used two instruments: the activity of daily living (ADL) to determine the degree of autonomy and the geriatric depression scale (GDS) validated in Tunisia.ResultsAt the end of our investigation, 100 chronic disease patients met inclusion criteria. The average age of our population was 75 years. Prevalence of depression was 48%. The most frequent chronic pathology was hypertension (79%), followed by diabetes (70%). In analytical study, we noted no correlation between depression and socio-demographic variables such as age, sex and marital status. Regarding clinical variables, depression was significantly more frequent in patients with sensory impairments (82% vs 18%, P = 0.017), dependent (80% vs 20%, P = 0.002). Regarding chronic disease, depression was significantly more frequent in patients with respiratory disease (80% vs 20%, P = 0.033), a higher number of comorbidities (P = 0.005), who were hospitalised at least once (P = 0.015).ConclusionDepression is common in elderly with a chronic disease. Using screening instruments for major depression by primary care clinicians will help to detect depression.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.