Publication:
Chiang Mai Med J 2010;49:19-25.
Abstract:
Background: Malignancies are a major cause of mortality in children. Frequent hospitalization, consequences from illness, and its treatment have great impact on children and their families.
Objectives: To assess the prevalence and determine factors associated with depression in pediatric cancer patients.
Methods and materials A cross-sectional study of children aged 7-15 years who were diagnosed with malignancies at Chiang Mai University Hospital between October 2007 and September 2009 was conducted. Demographic characteristics of patients and their families, details of disease and management, and a semi-structured interview for clinical features were obtained. Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) was completed by the children themselves. The CDI score of > 15 was used for further assessment of depression.
Results: The samples included 63 children with malignancies. The mean age was 12.05 + 2.35 years. The male: female ratio was 1.1:1. Leukemia and lymphoma were the most common malignancy (66.67 %). The mean CDI score was 7.33 + 4.12. Four children (6.35 %) had CDI ? 15 but only 1 child met the DSM-IV criteria for depression. The prevalence of depression in pediatric malignancies in this study was 1.59%. By using the multiple linear regression model, none of the variables including characteristics of patients and their families, type, severity, or duration of illness was significantly associated with depression.
Conclusions: The prevalence of depression in children with malignancies in this study was much lower than that of previous studies. Neither patient-related nor disease-related factors were significantly associated with depression.
