Pre-treatment Depression and Anxiety Disorder in Men with Cancer of the Prostate in South Western Nigeria

Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the pre-treatment prevalence and associated factors of anxiety and depression in men with cancer of the prostate.

Study Design: This is a prospective, cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration: The urology unit of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study period was from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019.

Methodology: A total of 46 consented male participants recently diagnosed with cancer of the prostate (CAP) were assessed for depression and anxiety disorders using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants also completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, an 8-item International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) and a quality of life questionnaire (BS).

Results: Forty-three and half percent (43.5%) of the participants suffered depression; anxiety disorder occurred in 21.7% of the participants. Only 2.2% of the participants had anxiety disorder without depression, while 23.9% had depression without anxiety disorder. Significant level of poor quality of life (QoL) was found among participants with depression and anxiety disorder. Having one psychiatric morbidity was associated with having another. Age of participants and other sociodemographic parameters were not associated with psychiatric morbidity.

Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of anxiety disorder and depression among patients with cancer of the prostate. Assessment of these disorders should be included in the management of patients with prostate cancer to enhance early detection and prompt treatment for better patients’ clinical outcome.