Psychiatric morbidities in patients of carcinoma cervix

Aims and objective: The common psychological and emotional responses to cancer arise from knowledge of life threatening diagnosis, its prognostic uncertainty, and fear about death and dying. Carcinoma cervix (cervical cancer) is one of the major life threatening conditions in females and carries a risk of high mortality. This study was carried out with the aim to find out psychiatric morbidities in patients of carcinoma cervix so that a proper evaluation of their mental health and comprehensive management, and improving their quality of life can be planned. Methodology: One hundred female patients of age range between 31-65 years, recently diagnosed as carcinoma cervix were screened for psychiatric morbidity on a structured proforma containing socio-demographic details. The diagnosis and staging of carcinoma cervix was based on revised FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) and psychiatric diagnosis was made as per DSM-IV-TR. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive (Y-BOCS) were used to assess the severity of the psychiatric illness. Result: Majority of the patients belonged to age group 51-60 years. Most of them were Hindu, housewives, and belonged to lower socioeconomic status. Psychiatric morbidity was detected in 55% patients; majority of them having duration of cancer for less than six months. Twenty six per cent patients suffered from major depressive disorder, 17% had anxiety disorder, and eight per cent were detected as adjustment disorder with depressed mood while four per cent patients had only insomnia. Patients presenting in late stage of cancer had more severe psychiatric disturbances as compared to patients in early stage of cancer. Conclusion: Significant comorbid psychiatric illness was detected in patients of carcinoma cervix. The proper evaluation, identification, and management of associated psychiatric illness will improve the mental health and quality of life of patients suffering from carcinoma cervix.