The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri Lanka

Background Breast cancer is the most prevalent invasive cancer among female in Sri Lanka and worldwide. Depression being one of the commonest psychiatric comorbidities among them, its global prevalence had been rated at 32.2%. The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer in Sri Lanka, are largely unknown. Proper understanding of these data is essential to identify the burden of the disease and also to plan interventions. Aims Aims of this study were to identify the prevalence of depression among patients with breast cancer in Sri Lanka and to identify its associated socio-demographic and clinical factors. Method This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in two main cancer units. Sample size was 335 which included females with a pathologically proven breast cancer attending oncology clinics. Data was collected using two separate questionnaires; CES-D questionnaire to rate depression and another questionnaire to obtain other information. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results The prevalence of clinical depression in the sample was 24.5%. On chi square test application, a significant association with depressive prevalence was found with age, partner’s employment sate, menopausal state, having children under patient’s care, degree of social support, metastatic stage of cancer, past target therapy and current hormonal therapy. Logistic regression analysis provided a more significant association between depression prevalence and degree of social support. Conclusions Depression is a high prevalent psychiatric comorbidity among patients with breast cancer in Sri Lanka. Patients’ perception about degree of social support is the most significant predictor of depression among them.