Awareness of cancer diagnosis does not lead to depression in palliative care patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. Characterize the profile of patients under palliative care at this institution and evaluate the prevalence of depression in these patients. METHODS. Sixty two cancer patients under palliative care, who had answered three questionnaires: one regarding their demographic characteristics, another to evaluate their quality of life and the Beck's depression inventory were surveyed. RESULTS. Of these patients, 68% presented with some degree of depression. Most of them were aware of their diagnosis (87.1%), did not talk to their physicians on other subjects but their disease (81.18%), were satisfied with their treatment (93.33%) and with the support they received (95.70%). Pain, fatigue, weakness and sleep disturbances were the most frequently reported symptoms. There was a significant correlation between presence of depression and not knowing the diagnosis (p=0.008), being admitted to the hospital (p=0.0019) and not having ever received oncologic treatment. CONCLUSION. Patients under palliative care at this institution, despite being satisfied with the treatment, reported poor communication with their physicians and presented with a high rate of depression. Awareness of their diagnosis and having received prior oncologic treatment (p=0.07) correlated significantly and inversely with having depression.