Psychiatric morbidity in Chinese women after cervical cancer treatment in a regional gynaecology clinic.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the prevalence and factors associated with psychiatric disorders in Chinese cervical cancer survivors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2011 to April 2012 at the specialist gynaecology outpatient clinic at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong. All cervical cancer patients who had completed treatment were consecutively recruited. They were interviewed using the Chinese-Bilingual Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Patient Research version. Socio-demographic data and clinical information were collected from the patients and their hospital records were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 113 patients were recruited into the study. The point prevalence of psychiatric disorders as a group in cervical cancer survivors was 37%. The point prevalence of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia were 31%, 16%, and 2%, respectively. Major depressive disorder was the most common mood disorder and generalised anxiety disorder the most common anxiety disorder. Younger age, a history of psychiatric illness, fatigue, menopausal symptoms, and pain were independent predictors of current psychiatric disorders.

CONCLUSION

Psychiatric disorders, predominantly depressive and anxiety disorders, are common in Chinese cervical cancer survivors. Identification of independent predictors can help gynaecologists detect these disorders earlier and arrange appropriate interventions.