Anxiety and depressive symptoms and coping strategies in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients in Hospital Kuala Lumpur

摘要: Introduction: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is the second most common cancer among men in Malaysia. Establishing local data will help to improve treatment strategies and lower anxiety and depression level among NPC patients. Our aim was compare the of symptoms coping strategies employed between cancer-free Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study with universal sampling conducted on 22 patients 30 patients from Oncology Radiotherapy Department Ear, Nose Throat clinic of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) between 12 29 May 2008. In this study, symptoms of were obtained by using Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) while Brief COPE questionnaire used understand patients’ coping strategies. Results: The prevalence higher Chinese, men, aged between 40 59 years, those from income group. levels and depression found be group as compared the cancer-free However, only significantly related to the (p=0.002). This study also that two comparison groups were using different types strategies. mainly ‘acceptance’ as their strategy often ‘religion’. Among the types reported patients, ‘use instrumental support’ type was associated with a (p = 0.035) ‘humour’ depressive 0.269). On contrary, ‘selfblame’ type both =0.0001) 0.001) symptoms. addition, gender, ethnicity, educational levels, and monthly have significant differences their anxiety and well type Conclusions: had higher Different socio-demographic backgrounds had an influence on resulting depression.