Relationship between anxiety, depression and quality of life in breast cancer patients at different time periods

ObjectiveTo analyze the occurrence of anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients at different time periods, and its related influencing factors.

MethodsEighty-two breast cancer patients were investigated using the anxiety self-rating scale, depression self-rating scale and EORTC quality of life measurement scale before surgery, and at the fourth cycle and eighth of chemotherapy.

ResultsCompared before operation, the anxiety and depression scores of breast cancer patients significantly increased in the fourth cycle of chemotherapy(P < 0.01), and returned to the preoperative level in the eighth cycle of chemotherapy(P>0.05).Among different time periods, the differences of the emotional function, role function, social function, cognitive function, insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, constipation, economic difficulties and overall health status of 11 dimensions of the core quality of life scale were statistically significant(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), and there was no statistical significance in the four dimensions of physical function, pain, shortness of breath and diarrhea(P>0.05).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the older age, lower education level and poor overall health status were the risk factors of preoperative anxiety(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), the nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite were the risk factors of anxiety in the fourth cycle of chemotherapy(P < 0.05), and the low cognitive function score, nausea and vomiting were the risk factors of anxiety in the eighth cycle of chemotherapy(P < 0.05).The employment, non-marriage, low educational level and insomnia were the risk factors of preoperative depression(P < 0.01), the constipation, fatigue, low cognitive function and economic difficulties were the risk factors of depression in the fourth cycle of chemotherapy(P < 0.05), and the financial hardship and poor overall health status were the risk factors of depression in the eighth cycle of chemotherapy(P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).

ConclusionsMedical staff should strengthen the psychological nursing of breast cancer patients at all stages, especially the fourth cycle of chemotherapy.Taking targeted methods to deal with the adverse symptoms of chemotherapy can reduce the anxiety and depression of patients.