Risk factors for depression in patients in perimenopause with cervical cancer

Yuan Zhang; Jing-Bo Liu; Meng-Jun Liu; Jing Liu; Jing Zhang

doi:10.5498/wjp.v15.i6.105568

Risk factors for depression in patients in perimenopause with cervical cancer

World J Psychiatry. 2025 Jun 19;15(6):105568. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v15.i6.105568.

Authors

Yuan Zhang¹, Jing-Bo Liu¹, Meng-Jun Liu¹, Jing Liu¹, Jing Zhang²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233004, Anhui Province, China.
² Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233004, Anhui Province, China. zhangjing163127@163.com.

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a significant health concern among females in perimenopause, with a high prevalence of depression in this population. The rationale for this study was to explore the risk factors associated with depression in patients in perimenopause with cervical cancer. We hypothesized that socioeconomic status, disease characteristics, and quality of life factors contributed to the development of depression in these patients.

Aim: To investigate the risk factors associated with depression in patients in perimenopause with cervical cancer.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 254 patients in perimenopause with cervical cancer admitted to a single center. Patients were divided into a non-depression group (n = 152) and a depression group (n = 102) based on whether depression occurred after treatment. Data collection included demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to assess depression. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors.

Results: Patients with depression more often had low income (< 4000 China yuan: 66.7% vs 6.6%, P < 0.001), initial disease onset (70.6% vs 57.2%, P = 0.001), low social support (70.6% vs 55.3%, P = 0.014), pathological stages III-IV (70.6% vs 41.5%, P < 0.001), high pain level (65.7% vs 34.2%, P < 0.001), and poor sleep quality (67.6% vs 32.2%, P < 0.001). Logistic regression identified low income [odds ratio (OR) = 32.606, P < 0.001], initial disease onset (OR = 4.282, P = 0.001), pathological stages III-IV (OR = 4.123, P = 0.0005), high pain level (OR = 1.181, P = 0.0000434), and poor sleep quality (OR = 3.094, P = 0.0041) as key risk factors.

Conclusion: Low income, initial onset, low support, advanced stages, high pain, and poor sleep quality increased depression risk in patients in perimenopause with cervical cancer. Studies investigating interventions for this population are needed.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; Depression; Perimenopause; Risk factors; Social support.