Factors Affecting Anxiety Among Patients with Oro-Digestive Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Sarita Ahwal; Kanika  Rai; Ankur Jindal; Puja  Sahai

doi:10.55489/njcm.160620255320

Authors

Sarita Ahwal Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Punjab, India; College of Nursing, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
Kanika Rai Chitkara School of Health Sciences; Centre for Evidence Based Practice in Health Care, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
Ankur Jindal Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
Puja Sahai Department of Oncology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.160620255320

Keywords:

Gastrointestinal cancer, Chemotherapy, Anxiety Among Cancer Patients, Cancer Patients, Predictors of Anxiety, Factors Affecting Anxiety

Abstract

Introduction: A cancer diagnosis is perceived as life-altering and carries a deep emotional burden, leading to significant psychological distress. This cross-sectional descriptive study was aimed to assess anxiety and its contributing factors among Oro-digestive cancer patients.

Methods: A study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, after ethical clearance and participants’ consent. Purposive sampling technique was used to enroll 72 adult Oro-digestive cancer patients receiving chemotherapy from August 2024 to January, 2025. Depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the anxiety and a validated structured questionnaire was used to elicit data related to socio-demographic & clinical profiles. The scales were pilot tested and administered using face to face interview technique by the principal investigator.

Results: More than 60% of the patients had some degree of anxiety. The mean anxiety score was significantly associated with age group (F=4.03, p=0.023^*), gender (t=2.09, p=0.040^*), marital status (F=5.74, p=0.016^*) and history of substance use (t=2.48, p=0.015^*) Among the clinical variables, type of cancer (t=2.44, p=0.017^*), time since diagnosis (F=5.39,p=0.007^*), performance status (t=2.29, p=0.025^*) and number of side effects faced (F=26.8, p<0.001^**) by the patients had a significant impact on anxiety scores.

Conclusion: Younger, female, and single patients exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety. In contrast, those experiencing fewer side effects and better performance status reported lower anxiety levels. Additionally, newly diagnosed individuals showed increased anxiety. Identifying these high-risk groups allows for early intervention, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

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