Quality of life and depression among metastatic breast cancer patients

Abstract

Depression is seen in many cancer patients. It is common in the general population and in adults and children with cancer and frequently coexists with anxiety and pain. The pilot study evaluated the level of the global quality of life (QoL) and the incidence and the relevance of the depression among metastatic breast cancer patients in a programme of palliative cancer care. The study is prospective and cross-sectional. Dates were obtained during year 2008 among 41 patients. The mean age of all 41 subjects was 58 years old (aged 41-80 years old). The Czech version of Zung self-rating depression scale was performed for the evaluation of the depression. The Czech version of generic European Quality of Life Questionnaire EQ-5D was performed for the evaluation of the level of global QoL. The statistical evaluation presents that mean ZSDS (Zung self-rating depression score) certifies the presence of the signs of the moderate depression among metastatic breast cancer patients (ZSDS range was 60-69). The incidence of the depression was 61% (25 of all 41 subjects). The relevance of the depression is characterized: the severe depression was proved in five of all 25 subjects, the moderate depression in 10 of all 25 subjects, and the mild depression in 10 of all 25 subjects. The global QoL among metastatic breast cancer patients is on very low level. The mean EQ-5D score (dimension of QoL) was 55%. The mean EQ-5D VAS (subjective health status) was 59.2%. The results showed that subsist association between metastatic breast cancer, depression, and the low level of the global QoL.Keywords Depression Á Quality of life Á Metastatic breast cancer Á Palliative cancer care To the Editor, As an oncologist, I welcome this excellent study by authors Alacacioglu et al.[1] evaluating quality of life, anxiety, and depression among Turkish breast cancer patients and their husbands. The study [1] presents that 29% of the patients and 5.4% of the husbands (Beck depression scores C17 points) were determined depressive. It was determined that the EORTC-QLQ C30 physical and social function scales of the patients were significantly lower than their husbands. The difference of the global quality of life (QoL) scores and other function scales (role, cognitive, emotional function scales) between patients and their husbands were not significant. It was found that the depression of the breast cancer patients was significantly higher than their husbands. But there was no significant difference between the EORTC-QLQ C30 global quality of life scores and STAI scores of the breast cancer patients and their husbands.We would like to support the results of this study among Turkish breast cancer patients with the results of our pilot study evaluating the level of the global QoL, the incidence and the relevance of the depression among Czech metastatic breast cancer patients in a programme of palliative

Quality of Life, Upper Extremity Function and the Effect of Lymphedema Treatment in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Patients

“…The difference of quality of life according to the presence or absence of breast cancer metastasis has been reported by several studies. In some studies, it has been stated that breast cancer metastasis is associated with depression and overall quality of life, and it has also been reported that the recurrence of breast cancer strongly lowered the quality of life of patients, and even their guardians 6,7. This appears to be due to a fear of additional metastasis as well as the burden of additional treatments after metastasis.…”

Cost‐Effectiveness of a Community‐Integrated Home‐Based Depression Intervention in Older African Americans

“…HUI-3 consists of 40 items that capture 8 attributes of health-related QoL: vision, hearing, speech, ambulation, dexterity, emotion, cognition, and pain. 31 The scoring algorithm was obtained from Health Utilities Inc. and is based on Canadian health preference weights. Utility scores from both instruments range from 0–1, with a higher score indicating better quality-adjusted life.…”

Anxiety and Depression as Predictive Factors for Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancer

“…[14][15][16][17][18] In Korea, the prevalence of anxiety or depression in cancer patients has been estimated as 28.8~56.5% when all stages and cancer types are considered. 25,26) However, there are few studies that have focused on anxiety and depression in patients with gastrointestinal cancer, or that have reported an association between psychological distress and QOL in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.…”

“…12,13) Therefore, comprehensive and periodic patient assessment focused on psychological as well as physical aspects should be incorporated into the treatment process for cancer patients, particularly those with advanced or metastatic cancer. Although there are many studies on psychological distress and QOL in cancer patients, [14][15][16][17][18] there are few studies on the relation between psychological distress and QOL in patients with advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal cancer. 19,20) The objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with QOL, pain, anxiety, and depression were evaluated at initial diagnosis of advanced gastrointestinal cancer (study enrollment) and during the palliative treatment process (3 months after study enrollment).…”