Assessing Psychological Status of Cancer Patients Using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale in Mosul

Abstract

To establish the acceptability and utility of the HAD Scale in the assessment of psychological status manifested as depression and/or anxiety among cancer patients. The study was carried out in oncology outpatient Clinic at Mosul oncology and nuclear medicine hospital. A cross-sectional Pilot study was conducted on 25 patients (Males & Females) suffering from various types and stages of cancer attending the outpatient Clinic. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), a self- assessment questionnaire, has been used for the study. Three (12%) of the total number scored significantly high on thedepression sub-scale (Mean score 12.4), all of them were females and five (20%) of the total number scored high on anxiety sub-scale (Mean score 13.6) again all were females. Three of the total 5 positive cases sccored high on both depression and anxiety sub-scales (60%). HAD Scale is a reliable method for early assessment of a patient’s psychological state before referral to a definite diagnosis and management by a psychiatrist. It can also be used as on-going method of assessing response to treatment.