Association between depressive symptoms and socioeconomic status in head and neck cancer patients attending rural tertiary health care center.

Aim: To study the association between depressive symptoms and socio-economic status (SES) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Materials And Methods: Histopathology-proven non-metastatic and non-recurrent HNC patients attending radiation oncology services in February and June 2021 who consented to the study were evaluated with an interview. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and modified BG Prasad classification were used to assess depressive symptoms and SES, respectively. Statistical analysis was done using SYSTAT version 12 (by Crane's software, Bangalore).

Results: The study cohort comprised 100 patients. The median age was 55 years (minimum: 28, maximum: 86) with a male-to-female ratio of 2.57:1. The majority of patients were educated beyond middle-school level (44%), of middle SES (47%), oral cavity subsite (68%), stage IVA (36%) disease, and were on treatment (79%). HDRS scores showed absent, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms in 21, 63, and 16 patients, respectively, that is, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 79%. Lower socioeconomic strata showed a significantly higher prevalence of severe depressive symptoms (P-value = 0.01). HDRS score was significantly higher in females (P-value = 0.024) and in patients who were illiterate or were educated less than middle-school level (P-value = 0.010). No statistically significant difference was found between HDRS score and age of patient, stage and site of disease, and on treatment or follow-up status.

Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are common in patients with head and neck cancer. Low socioeconomic status (SES), female gender, and education less than middle school are associated with severe depressive symptoms. Psycho-oncological and psychotherapeutic interventions are the need of the hour.