Prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer: a single-centre, cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of psychological distress (ie, anxiety and depressive symptoms) among Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) and to investigate associations with socio-demographic factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was conducted between September 2021 and June 2022. SETTING: Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (Muscat, Oman). PARTICIPANTS: Adult Omani women diagnosed with BC during the study period. OUTCOME MEASURES: Data regarding anxiety and depressive symptoms were collected using an Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Socio-demographic and clinical information was obtained from the participants and their hospital medical records. RESULTS: 190 Omani women diagnosed with BC were invited to participate in the study, of whom 171 participated (response rate: 90.0%). The mean age was 50.3±10.9 years. 52.3% of participants had been diagnosed with BC at stages III or IV and 28.9% had metastasis. 29 women (17.0%) exhibited depressive symptoms (HADS-D score: ≥8), while 37 (21.6%) exhibited anxiety symptoms (HADS-A score: ≥8). Women with anxiety symptoms were almost 15-times more likely to have depressive symptoms than those without anxiety symptoms (OR: 14.87, p<0.001). Younger women were less likely to exhibit depressive symptoms than older women (≤39 vs ≥60 years, p=0.050; 40–59 vs ≥60 years, p=0.005). Women at the school/diploma education level were less likely to have depressive symptoms than those at college/university level (OR: 0.19, p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the women surveyed had been diagnosed at an advanced stage, with up to 21.6% presenting with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Healthcare professionals in Oman should consider additional screening for anxiety and depressive symptoms in this group and encourage patients with BC to disclose emotional information during consultations, particularly for those aged ≥60 years.