The Unseen Struggle: Depression and Associated Factors in Geriatric Cancer Patients

Ozlem Dogan^1*Hayriye Şahinli²DOĞAN YAZILITA޲Selen Kantarci²

• ¹Adiyaman University Training and Research hospital, Adiyaman, Adiyaman, Türkiye
• ²Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Ankara, Türkiye

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of depression and its associations, rather than causal relationships, in patients aged 65 and older receiving chemotherapy, using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).Methods: This prospective study was conducted between January and December 2023 at Ankara Etlik City Hospital, including 501 chemotherapy patients aged 65 and older. Patients receiving only oral therapy, those under palliative care, with brain metastases, or insufficient cognitive functionality were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records. Depression was assessed using the 15-item Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), with scores ≥5 indicating high depression symptoms.Results: Among the 501 patients included in the study, 204 (40.7%) were female, with a median age of 69 years (range: 65-84). A total of 214 patients (42.7%) had high depressive symptom scores (GDS ≥5). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified female gender (OR: 1.481, 95% CI: 1.011-2.168, p=0.04), BMI ≥21 (OR: 1.665, 95% CI: 1.081-2.564, p=0.02), higher pain scores (OR: 1.269, 95% CI: 1.122-1.436, p<0.001), insomnia (OR:1.626, 95% CI: 1.109-2.384, p=0.01), and weak social support (OR: 2.004, 95% CI: 1.046-3.839, p=0.03) as independent predictors of depression.Our study highlights the high prevalence of depressive symptoms among geriatric cancer patients. In this population, early diagnosis and management of depression, with particular attention to independent risk factors such as pain and insomnia, as well as strengthening social support mechanisms, may be crucial for enhancing quality of life and improving treatment adherence.