Imtiaz Ahmad Dogar, Muhammad Waqar Azeem, Memoona Kiran, Ijaz Hussain, Khalid Mehmood, Iram Hina.
Depression and anxiety in cancer patients in outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Pak J Med Sci Jan ;25(5):734-7.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer in an outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Methodology: This study was conducted between May 2006 and January 2007. The sample consisted of 60 diagnosed cancer patients (30 males/30 females). DSM- IV criteria and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to diagnose and assess anxiety and depression. Results: Fifty two percent (31 patients, 10 males/21 females) of the subjects reported having symptoms of anxiety, depression or both according to DSM IV Criteria, (anxiety =14, males six / females eight, depression = 6, males two / females four , and depression + anxiety both = 11, males two / females nine). A total of 70% (21/30) of the entire female sample met the criteria for depression, anxiety or both. A total of 33% (10/30) of the entire male sample met the criteria for depression, anxiety or both. Conclusion: This study shows high prevalence rates of depression and anxiety in cancer patients in Pakistan. The oncologists and internists treating cancer patients should screen their patients for symptoms of depression and anxiety.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com