JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Background:

The intricate interplay between oncology and mental health has emerged as a paramount facet of comprehensive patient care. Neoplastic disorders not only exert a deleterious impact on the physiological state but also has considerable influence over the emotional well-being of affected individuals. Of particular interest is the exploration of the prevalence of anxiety and depression within the distinct cancer patients. This cross-sectional study attempts to methodically inspect the study of anxiety and depression in individuals diagnosed with neoplasms. By adopting a cross-sectional design, we intend to capture a singular temporal approach, affording insights into the immediate psychopathological landscape of this demographic. Protocol: This will be a cross-sectional hospital-based study. After ethical committee clearance, all patients in the oncology department meeting the criteria of anxiety and depression according to the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11),will be part of study. The expected number of participants are 87. All participants of age group 18-65 years and who are clinically diagnosed to have neoplasia and are able to give written informed consent will be included in the study. Informed consent will be obtained. The patient socio demographic data will be collected following which these questionnaires will be applied: 1. Socio Demographic Performa 2. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 3. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale

Objective:

1. To describe the demographic and clinical profile of cancer patients included in the study. 2. To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among cancer patients. 3. To assess the association between anxiety and depression and selected demographic and clinical variables among cancer patients.

Methods:

This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional observational study conducted in the Department of Oncology at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH), Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra, a tertiary care rural teaching hospital in Central India. Both inpatient and outpatient cancer patients were included to capture varying stages of disease and treatment phases. The study population comprised adult patients aged 18–65 years with a clinical diagnosis of cancer who provided written informed consent. Patients with a documented history of anxiety or depression prior to cancer diagnosis and those unwilling to consent were excluded. A total sample of 87 patients was recruited using consecutive sampling during the study period. Sociodemographic and clinical details were collected using a semi-structured proforma. Psychological assessment was carried out using standardized and validated instruments: Hamilton Depression Rating scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Tools were administered in a single session, with interviewer assistance for illiterate or physically weak participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28.0. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee, and participants with significant psychological morbidity were referred for psychiatric evaluation

Results:

Expected outcome Through this study we will be able to study about the presence of anxiety and depressive disorder in patients diagnosed with cancer clinically and pathologically.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that anxiety and depression are highly prevalent among cancer patients receiving care at a rural tertiary hospital in Central India and represent a significant yet often overlooked component of cancer-related morbidity. Psychological distress was observed across diverse sociodemographic groups, cancer types, disease stages, and treatment modalities, indicating that mental health challenges are an integral part of the cancer experience rather than a problem confined to advanced illness. The presence of anxiety and depression was associated with poorer quality of life, affecting not only psychological well-being but also physical functioning, social relationships, and overall health perception. In rural settings, these issues are further compounded by limited access to mental health services, stigma surrounding psychological illness, financial constraints, and the primary clinical focus on physical disease management. The findings underscore the urgent need for routine mental health screening in oncology services using brief, validated tools that are feasible in resource-limited environments. Early identification and timely referral to psychiatric services can facilitate appropriate interventions, improve coping, enhance treatment adherence, and ultimately lead to better overall outcomes for cancer patients. By generating region-specific data, this study contributes to the limited rural psycho-oncology literature and highlights the importance of integrating mental health care into comprehensive cancer management, advocating for a holistic, patient-centered approach within rural healthcare systems.