Factors Associated with Depression in African American Patients Being Treated for Cancer Pain

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Youjeong Kang, University of Utah; Salimah H Meghani, University of Pennsylvania; Deborah Bruner, Emory University; Katherine Yeager, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-10-01
• Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Pain Management Nursing
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2020.03.006
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: PAIN MANAGEMENT NURSING
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 410
• End Page: 415
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research (1K01NR014673; PI: K. Yeager).
• Keywords: BREAST; CARE; SUICIDE RISK; Science & Technology; SERVICE USE; HEALTH; Nursing; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; SOCIAL SUPPORT; PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS; SYMPTOMS; PREDICTORS; DISTRESS THERMOMETER

Abstract

Background: Among cancer patients in the United States, African American cancer patients have the highest mortality rate and shortest survival rate. Although depression is known as a predictor of mortality in cancer and a potential barrier to health care utilization, research on depression in African American patients is limited. Cancer pain can interfere with an individual's ability to cope with depression. Aims: To identify factors that are associated with a positive screening of depressive symptoms assessed by the PHQ-8 in African American patients treated for cancer pain. Design: Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study of opioid adherence. Setting: Medical oncology, palliative care, and radiation oncology clinics in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants/Subjects: African American patients with cancer pain in the parent study. Methods: Independent samples t-test was used to assess variable correlations with and without depressive symptoms. Adjusted logistic regression was conducted to identify factors that were associated with presence of depressive symptoms. Results: Mean patient age was 55.6 years, and nearly 38% had a PHQ-8 score of >10 indicating presence of moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Participants with depressive symptoms had significantly higher means for anxiety and pain interference with mood than those without depressive symptoms. Factors that were significantly associated with depressive symptoms were anxiety, pain interfering with mood, and lack of involvement with a religious congregation. Conclusions: The findings of this study help to identify African American cancer patients at risk for depression and demonstrates the need for increased screening for depression in this underserved population.