ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Psichiatrica 2020 March;61(1):17-9

DOI: 10.23736/S0391-1772.19.02034-X

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Depression in women with lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer

Jose M. PEREIRA DE GODOY ¹ ✉, Maria de Fatima GUERREIRO GODOY ²

¹ Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil; ² School of Medicine, Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of depression in women with lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 32 consecutive patients with lymphedema stemming from breast cancer treatment. Women with lymphedema due to other causes were excluded. Depression was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory.
RESULTS: Among the 32 patients evaluated, 14 (43.75%) were without depression, 9 (28.12%) had mild to moderate depression and five (15.62%) had severe depression and 4 (12.5%) had extreme depression. Discussion: However, depression is limiting in every sense and can compromise treatment for lymphedema or adherence to cancer treatment. A psychiatric approach with the use of medications is therefore recommended as psychological support.
CONCLUSIONS: Depression is a frequent occurrence in women with lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer. Therefore, greater attention should be paid to this aspect in the routine evaluation of these patients.

KEY WORDS: Breast cancer lymphedema; Depression; Therapeutics