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Meta-Analysis
. 2015 Nov 30;5(11):e007618.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007618.

Depression and anxiety in ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence rates

Sam Watts  1 , Philip Prescott  2 , Jessica Mason  3 , Natalie McLeod  4 , George Lewith  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Depression and anxiety in ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence rates

Sam Watts et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objectives: To systematically review the literature pertaining to the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with ovarian cancer as a function of treatment stage.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Participants: 3623 patients with ovarian cancer from primary research investigations.

Primary outcome measure: The prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with ovarian cancer as a function of treatment stage.

Results: We identified 24 full journal articles that met the inclusion criteria for entry into the meta-analysis resulting in a pooled sample size of 3623 patients. The meta-analysis of prevalence rates identified pretreatment, on-treatment and post-treatment depression prevalences of 25.34% (CI 22.79% to 28.07%), 22.99% (CI 19.85% to 26.46%) and 12.71% (CI 10.14% to 15.79%), respectively. Pretreatment, on-treatment and post-treatment anxiety prevalences were 19.12% (CI 17.11% to 21.30%), 26.23% (CI 22.30% to 30.56%) and 27.09% (CI 23.10% to 31.49%).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the prevalence of depression and anxiety in women with ovarian cancer, across the treatment spectrum, is significantly greater than in the healthy female population. With the growing emphasis on improving the management of survivorship and quality of life, we conclude that further research is warranted to ensure psychological distress in ovarian cancer is not underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Keywords: MENTAL HEALTH.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA 2009 flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pretreatment depression and anxiety per cent prevalence.
Figure 3
Figure 3
On-treatment anxiety and depression per cent prevalence.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Post-treatment anxiety and depression per cent prevalence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Ovarian Cancer Action. What every woman should know. http://www.ovarian.org.uk/ovarian-cancer
    1. Cancer Research UK. UK Ovarian Cancer Incidence Statistics. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/type/ovary.
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    1. National Institute of Clinical Excellence. Ovarian cancer, the recognition and initial management 2011. http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13464/54194/54194.pdf.
    1. Ries LAG, Melbert D, Krapcho M, et al. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2005, National Cancer Institute. http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2005.

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