INTENSITÁ, PREVALENZA E SINTOMATOLOGIA DELLO STATO DEPRESSIVO IN UN CAMPIONE DI PAZIENTI ONCOLOGICI ITALIANI ULTRASESSANTACINQUENNI
B. Muzzatti, C. Flaiban, F. Bomben, M. A. Annunziata, M. Piccinin, G. Mariutti, K. Gipponi, S. Busato, S. Mella
Vol.1 (2017), issue 4, pag. 42-50
| Received | 06/02/2017 |
| Accepted for pubblication | 06/02/2017 |
| Published | Jan. 2017 |
| Review by | Single-blind |
ABSTRACT
Background
Depression is common in old age, when it is often associated to experienced losses, including those provoked by the illness itself and/or its effects. This study was aimed to provide information on depressive state intensity, prevalence, and symptomatology in a sample of elderly cancer inpatients. In addition, associations between depressive state and different socio-demographic and clinical factors were studied. Materials and Methods. 220 consecutive 65+ years-old cancer inpatients completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Scale on Depression together with a form for collecting socio-demographic and clinical data.
Results
The mean score of depressive state was 17.5 (SD =9.8). There were differences in depressive state intensity associated with gender (p<0.001) and cancer type (p=0.014), but not with age, education level, or marital status. 14.5% of the entire sample had a depressive states; this percentage raised to 24.5% if a less stringent criterion was used. The most intense depressive symptomatology in this sample were: non enjoying life, non being happy, non feeling themselves just as good as other people.
Conclusions
These data reinforce the importance of a clinical and research focus on depression in geriatric oncology.