Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer: a prospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer often experience psychological distress, encompassing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these conditions among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, alongside identifying contributing factors. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to June 2023 among a cohort of Omani children and adolescents (6-18 years old) diagnosed with cancer at three primary cancer referral centres in Oman. Validated Arabic-language versions of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised instruments were used to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, respectively. An initial assessment (T1) was undertaken within the first 3 months of diagnosis, followed by a second assessment (T2) 3-6 months later. RESULTS: Of 113 eligible participants, 101 agreed to participate in the study (response rate: 95.6%), with 92 (91.0%) completing both assessments and included in the final analysis. Prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD decreased from 43.5%, 56.5%, and 32.6%, respectively, at T1, to 38.0%, 35.9%, and 23.9% at T2. All average scores were below diagnostic cut-off points, except for the depression score at T1. Anxiety and depression scores decreased significantly (p = 0.043 and 0.001, respectively) between T1 and T2, as did the overall prevalence of depression (p = 0.004). At T1, linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between anxiety scores and the child's age and PTSD score (p < 0.05); these variables were also correlated with depression scores (p ≤ 0.001). At T2, significant correlations were observed between anxiety scores and the child's age and PTSD scores (p < 0.001). At both T1 and T2, anxiety, depression, and PTSD scores remained significantly correlated (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Omani children and adolescents recently diagnosed with cancer exhibit a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD over time. Age-appropriate communication, ongoing support, and mental health services are recommended to help this patient group cope with their diagnosis and manage their emotional wellbeing. There is a need for future research to determine the effectiveness of specific psychological interventions in reducing the frequency of these disorders.

Prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer: a single-centre, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of psychological distress (ie, anxiety and depressive symptoms) among Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) and to investigate associations with socio-demographic factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was conducted between September 2021 and June 2022. SETTING: Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (Muscat, Oman). PARTICIPANTS: Adult Omani women diagnosed with BC during the study period. OUTCOME MEASURES: Data regarding anxiety and depressive symptoms were collected using an Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Socio-demographic and clinical information was obtained from the participants and their hospital medical records. RESULTS: 190 Omani women diagnosed with BC were invited to participate in the study, of whom 171 participated (response rate: 90.0%). The mean age was 50.3±10.9 years. 52.3% of participants had been diagnosed with BC at stages III or IV and 28.9% had metastasis. 29 women (17.0%) exhibited depressive symptoms (HADS-D score: ≥8), while 37 (21.6%) exhibited anxiety symptoms (HADS-A score: ≥8). Women with anxiety symptoms were almost 15-times more likely to have depressive symptoms than those without anxiety symptoms (OR: 14.87, p<0.001). Younger women were less likely to exhibit depressive symptoms than older women (≤39 vs ≥60 years, p=0.050; 40-59 vs ≥60 years, p=0.005). Women at the school/diploma education level were less likely to have depressive symptoms than those at college/university level (OR: 0.19, p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the women surveyed had been diagnosed at an advanced stage, with up to 21.6% presenting with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Healthcare professionals in Oman should consider additional screening for anxiety and depressive symptoms in this group and encourage patients with BC to disclose emotional information during consultations, particularly for those aged ≥60 years.

Effect of Psycho-Educational Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Depression at Postintervention and Follow-Up in Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effectiveness of the psycho-educational intervention in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms for women with breast cancer in post- and follow-up status. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of 16 electronic databases to identify all randomized controlled trial studies that examine the effects of psycho-education on anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) between groups in depression and anxiety levels for postintervention and follow-up were computed for each study. CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that psycho-educational intervention effectively relieves anxiety and depressive symptoms among women with breast cancer postintervention and follow-up. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A significant effect of the psycho-education intervention was found to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer. Such service was recommended in nursing practice.

Self-Inflicted Total Amputation of the External Genitalia as a Psychological Repercussion of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Report.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mandatory quarantine has interrupted everyday social life, leaving many individuals feeling confined and lonely, with increased rates of suicide and suicidal behavior. Genital self-mutilation (GSM) is a rare phenomenon that typically occurs in the context of severe mental illness. The following case report describes the first case of total self-inflicted genital amputation in a healthy man who had no prior history of mental or medical conditions. This case poses challenges for psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of a 52-year-old male with no significant medical and psychiatric history who was admitted to a tertiary care hospital after attempting suicide by self-inflecting a total amputation of his external genitalia due to fear of COVID-19 infection. The diathesis-stress linked with the tribulations of the current pandemic was highlighted as well as other possible contributory factors and psychopathology behind his clinical presentation.

Exploring Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms Among Patients With Chronic Pain: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study.

ABSTRACT: This cross-sectional study examined the factors associated with depression among people with chronic pain (PwCP) attending specialized pain clinics in Muscat, Oman. Two-hundred eighty-seven participants were recruited for the study, and univariate analyses were used to investigate the difference between individuals who scored above/below the cutoff points for depressive symptoms. A multiple regression analysis was used to detect the independent predictors. Twenty-six percent of participants scored above the cutoff point. Further analysis indicated that unstable family relationships pre-existing depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 2.86; p = 0.044), a family history of depression (OR, 4.75; p = 0.019), severe pain (OR, 4.21; p < 0.006), having fibromyalgia (OR, 28.29; p = 0.005), and lumbago/truck (OR, 2.41; p = 0.039) were independent predictors of depressive symptoms. This study indicates that one in four patients with chronic pain also presents with depressive symptoms. However, the role of culture needs to be taken into consideration when interpreting these findings and when building on these data.