Anxiety and Depression among Children with Cancer, Children Undergoing Hemodialysis and Children with Thalassemia: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Tayseer Afifi, Khamis Elessi, Mosab Samaan, Hasan Abu Elhatal, Ahmed Abu Lamzi, Razan Elian, Mahmood Elblbessy, Ahmed Abu Ataya, Mohammed Humeid, Hisham Abu Amro, Aya Alqattaa, Wafaa Al-abadsah, Yasmin Eljamassi, Rana Abdallatif

Background: Diagnosing a child with cancer has devastating physical, mental, and psychosocial consequences on the child’s life as well as the whole family. It is estimated that two hundred thousand children and adolescents suffer from different types of cancer worldwide yearly, with the majority living in low and middle-income countries which translates to a high mortality rate in these countries. Objective: This study aims to assess levels of depression and anxiety among children with different chronic conditions and make a comparison among them. In addition, the study will draw a comparison between children’s perspective about their depression and parents’ perspective. Furthermore, the study will address the associations between depression and anxiety with disease severity, duration and the presence of other co-morbidities. Methods: This was a prospective, analytical, correlational study design in which Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) was administered to assess depression and anxiety on 110 children; 50 children with cancer, 30 children with thalassemia and 30 children undergoing hemodialysis. Researchers interviewed children as well as their parents. Results: Results showed that depression and anxiety were most prevalent in children with thalassemia. Interestingly, levels of depression and anxiety among children undergoing hemodialysis were higher than children with cancer. However, there were marked discrepancy between child’s and parents’ answers on scale questions. The levels of depression and anxiety, in all children, were statistically significant in relation with family size, income and parents’ education. Conclusion: We identified high prevalence rates of depression and anxiety among children included in this study. The findings support that the prevalence of depression and anxiety among children with chronic conditions should receive more attention in our local medical settings.

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