The study of the subthreshold depression and their quality of life for long-term survivors after breast cancer surgery / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the subthreshold depression for long-term survivors after breast cancer surgery and its effect on their quality of life (QOL). Methods The self-made general questionnaire, Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES- D), Hamihon Rating Scale for Depression and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy- Breast were used to investigate the subthreshold depression and its effect on their QOL for 210 long-term survivors after breast cancer surgery. The difference in general conditions and score of QOL between the subthreshold depression and non-subthreshold depression groups was also compared. Results The subthreshold depression with incidence rate of 46.67%(98/210) was observed for the log-term survivors after breast cancer surgery in this study. The results indicated that the age (≤50) (OR=5.627, 2.662,P<0.01), marriage (unmarried, divorced or widowed) (OR=5.087, P<0.01), employment (unemployed, sick leave or retired) (OR=2.077,P<0.05) and low income (<3000 RMB/month) (OR=3.375,P<0.01) were the key factors that led to the occurrence of subthreshold depression. The score of QOL for the subthreshold depression group were lower than those of the non-subthreshold depression group (t=-6.653--2.926,P<0.01), and had a significantly negative correlation with score of depression and QOL (β=-0.362--0.132). Conclusions A high incidence rate of subthreshold depression for long-term survivors after breast cancer surgery was observed. The incidence rate of subthreshold depression increased for the patients with younger age, low income,unmarried or unemployment. Due to their low QOL, attentions should be paid to the early detection and early prevention for the long-term survivors with subthreshold depression after breast cancer surgery.