Sociodemographic Factors and Depression in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Multicenter, Cross-sectional Study in Georgia.

Abstract

Background: Depression commonly occurs in patients with breast cancer (BC), affecting their quality of life.

Objectives: The relationships between depression and different sociodemographic characteristics in patients with BC are under-researched. We conducted a multicenter study to determine the magnitude of depression and its association with different sociodemographic characteristics.

Design: In this multi-institutional study, clinical data were collected, prospectively between October 2019 and January 2023 from 207 patients who were on active treatment for BC diagnosis in tertiary oncology hospitals in Georgia.

Methods: Patients' sociodemographic characteristics were analyzed and their association with depression was assessed, using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for the identification of depressive symptoms. Patients were stratified using basic information.

Results: The median age of participants was 53 years (ranging from 31 to 77). Of the participants, 63.2% were married, 44.5% were employed, and only 16.4% reported having adequate financial status. Based on pro-rated PHQ-9 scores, 42% of patients reported some level of depressive symptoms, and 14.5% met the criteria for probable depressive disorder. Women with very inadequate financial status (10/21, 47.6%) reported significantly more depressive symptoms than those with adequate financial support (3/34, 8.8%) (P = .001). Unemployed women (12/42, 28.6%) were nearly 3 times more likely to experience moderate or severe depressive symptoms compared with employed patients (8/92, 8.7%) (P = .002). A significant difference in depressive symptoms was also observed based on education level, with individuals with higher education (12/119, 10%) reporting fewer depressive symptoms compared with those with middle education (18/88, 20.4%) (P = .036). No statistically significant difference in depressive symptoms was found based on marital status or social support.

Conclusions: Our study found a significant relationship between depression and factors such as financial status, education level, and employment. Lower household income and education level were identified as predictors of clinical depression among patients with BC. These findings can help oncologists in Georgia recognize the importance of providing psychological support to cancer patients. Early detection and prompt referral to mental health specialists can play a key role in effectively managing depression.