The Effect of Depression on the Quality 0f Life of Patient with Cervical Cancer at Dr. Moewardi Hospital in Surakarta

Abstract

Background: The share of cervical cancer of all types of cancer was 37.65% (9,113 cervical cases of the total 24,204 cancer cases) in Central Java in 2009. Cancer deteriorates physical, psychological, social, and spiritual states of the persons affected, especially in patients of terminal stage. Depression may interfere the quality of life of the affected. This study aimed to determine the effect depression on the quality life of patients with cervical cancer. Subjects and Method: This was an analytic observational study with cross sectional design. This study was conducted at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, from May to August 2014. A total of 36 patients with cervical cancer at Dr. Moewardi Hospital were selected for this study. The independent variables were age, education, employment status, duration of illness, and depression. The dependent variable was quality of life. The depression was measured by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The quality of life was measured by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QOQ-C30 and EORTC QOQ-CX24. The data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results: After controlling for age, education, employment status, and duration of illness, depression showed strong effect (OR=14.83; 95% CI=2.29 to 96.07; p=0.005) on the quality of life of patients with cervical cancer. Patients with severe depression were 14.83 times more likely to have poor quality of life than those with moderate or mild depression. Conclusion: Depression affects the quality of life in patients with cervical cancer. Patients with severe depression were more likely to have poor quality of life than those with moderate or mild depression.