Mon, Oct 20, 2025
Volume 14, Issue 1 (6-2025)
2025, 14(1): 13-20 |
Back to browse issues page
Ethics code: IR.GUMS.REC.1397.203
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Basirat M, Saeedi H, Soleimani F, Soleimani R, Atrkarroshan Z, Safarzadeh P. Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy: Frequency and contributing Factors. Journal title 2025; 14 (1) :13-20
URL: http://3dj.gums.ac.ir/article-1-636-en.html
URL: http://3dj.gums.ac.ir/article-1-636-en.html
Maryam Basirat1 
, Hamid Saeedi2 , Faezeh Soleimani3 , Robabeh Soleimani4 , Zahra Atrkarroshan5 , Pouya Safarzadeh *6
, Hamid Saeedi2 , Faezeh Soleimani3 , Robabeh Soleimani4 , Zahra Atrkarroshan5 , Pouya Safarzadeh *6
1- Dental Sciences Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Giulan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
2- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine GI Cancer Screening and Prevention Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences.
3- Dentist, Giulan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
4- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Giulan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
5- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Otolaryngology Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
6- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. ,safarzadeh.roudsari@gmail.com
2- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine GI Cancer Screening and Prevention Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences.
3- Dentist, Giulan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
4- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Giulan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
5- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Otolaryngology Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
6- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. ,
Abstract: (182 Views)
Objective: Head and neck cancer (HNC) poses numerous challenges for patients, impacting essential structures in the head and neck area and leading to considerable physical and emotional distress. This study aims to examine the frequency of anxiety and depression in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as to identify the factors that contribute to these psychological issues.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 patients with clinical and histological confirmation of HNC who visited the oncology clinics for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A questionnaire that included demographic information and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) of patients were completed. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.
Results: Among the patients with head and neck cancer, 26.2% reported experiencing anxiety, 25% of people had borderline anxiety while 18.8% reported experiencing depression and 16.2% of people had borderline depression. Significant associations were identified between anxiety levels and the duration since cancer diagnosis. Depression was more prevalent among patients living in rural areas and those in advanced stages of the illness.
Conclusion: The frequency of anxiety and depression is relatively high among patients with head and neck cancer. Living in a rural area and having advanced-stage cancer were associated with higher depression rates, while the time passed since diagnosis of HNC affected anxiety levels. Considering the impact of this cancer type on quality of life, assessing anxiety and depression frequency in these patients can help guide psychological interventions to improve the patients' well-being.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 patients with clinical and histological confirmation of HNC who visited the oncology clinics for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A questionnaire that included demographic information and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) of patients were completed. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.
Results: Among the patients with head and neck cancer, 26.2% reported experiencing anxiety, 25% of people had borderline anxiety while 18.8% reported experiencing depression and 16.2% of people had borderline depression. Significant associations were identified between anxiety levels and the duration since cancer diagnosis. Depression was more prevalent among patients living in rural areas and those in advanced stages of the illness.
Conclusion: The frequency of anxiety and depression is relatively high among patients with head and neck cancer. Living in a rural area and having advanced-stage cancer were associated with higher depression rates, while the time passed since diagnosis of HNC affected anxiety levels. Considering the impact of this cancer type on quality of life, assessing anxiety and depression frequency in these patients can help guide psychological interventions to improve the patients' well-being.
Type of Study: Original article |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/03/8 | Accepted: 2025/07/29 | Published: 2025/06/30
Received: 2025/03/8 | Accepted: 2025/07/29 | Published: 2025/06/30
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Articles Copyright © The Author(s).
Owned by Guilan University of Medical Sciences.
Co-published by Zamen Salamati.
Contact Information
The end of professor Samii Blv, Guilan University of Medical Sciences Complex, Dental School, Rasht, Iran.
Journal Tel : +9813 33486428
Publisher Tel : +9821 86037228 , 86036497
Email: den3djournal@gums.ac.ir
