Study on the prevalence of depression among cancer patients and its influencing factors in Shanghai

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depression among cancer patients and its influencing factors. METHODS: We investigated 7967 cancer patients who lived in communities with cluster sampling based on 'Shanghai Cancer Patient Database'. They were investigated through questionnaires and completed the Zung Self-rating Scale. 6694 questionnaires were identified as 'qualified'. We calculated the prevalence of depression and determined the factors with logistic regression model. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of depression among cancer patients in communities was 24.74% (95% CI: 23.71% - 25.79%). Results from multi-factor analysis showed that duration since diagnosis, stages at diagnosis, metastasis, therapeutics, KPS scores, and pain VAS scores were the important factors. CONCLUSION: Early detection, improving the curative effect and providing community health services could reduce the prevalence of depression.