The Prevalence and Analysis of Related Factors of Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life of Out-Patients in the Cancer Institute of a COVID-19 Referral Tertiary Hospital: One Year into the Pandemic

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, analyze, and compare the risk factors of anxiety, depression, and quality of life of cancer patients in the out-patient cancer clinic of the Cancer Institute one year into the pandemic. These were compared to the prevalence of anxiety and depression before the pandemic.

Methods. A cross-sectional analytic study described the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and quality of life and
analysis of its related factors among patients with cancer seen in the outpatient cancer clinic of the Cancer Institute of the Philippine General Hospital from November 1 to 20, 2021, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Pilipino and EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) QLQ-C30 (Quality of Life questionnaire) tools.

Results. A total of 408 cancer patients were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was
58.33% and 24.51%, respectively. Before the pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 9.45% and
4.72%, respectively. Two hundred seventy participants (66.18%) had a positive quality of life. The comparison between the prevalence of anxiety and depression between this study (one year into the pandemic) and the pre-pandemic study revealed a statistically significant difference in the majority of both, with more anxious and depressed cancer patients in this study. The participants agreed that the pandemic had affected their daily activities.

Conclusion. The study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased anxiety and depression among cancer patients. The quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients in this study has not been distinctly affected by the pandemic, but for those who have, they still require the attention and support of not just the physicians but the community as a whole. Our findings highlight the need to integrate better psychosocial support and the important role of carers in the evolving pandemic response measures.