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The risk factors for depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a systematic review

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Abstract

Purpose

This systematic review aims to identify the risk factors for depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

Eight electronic databases were searched from inception of the databases established until August 2017. References for the included studies were retrieved by manual searching. The quality of the eligible studies was appraised by two persons using the 11-item checklist of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Results

Among 5988 potentially relevant articles, 43 studies were eligible, with 17 studies of high quality and 25 studies of moderate quality. A total of 65 factors were extracted, including sociodemographic characteristics (n = 20), physiological condition (n = 20), disease and treatment (n = 12), and psychosocial factors (n = 13). Only social support, anxiety, perceived stress, and self-efficacy were found to be consistently associated with depression in cancer patients. There is not enough evidence to support the link between the other 61 factors and depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Conclusions

This review suggests that the development of depression programs should take social support, anxiety, perceived stress, and self-efficacy into account. More original studies with rigorous design are necessary to further confirm those 61 inconclusive risk factors for depression in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

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Funding

The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [8140, 1863].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, No 1 Xuefu North Road, University Town, Shangjie Zhen, Minhou County, Fuzhou City, 350122, Fujian Province, China

    Shuangshuang Wen, Huimin Xiao & Yanqing Yang

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  1. Shuangshuang Wen
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  2. Huimin Xiao
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Correspondence to Huimin Xiao.

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Wen, S., Xiao, H. & Yang, Y. The risk factors for depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 27, 57–67 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4466-9

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