Classification of high-risk depressed mood groups in cancer patients based on Health Ecology Model

Abstract

Background: Depressed mood affects a significant number of patients with cancer, and can impair their quality of life and interfere with successful treatment. Our study aims to create a predictive model for identifying high-risk groups of depressed mood in cancer patients, offering a theoretical support for preventing depressed mood in these individuals.

Methods: The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) provided the data for this research, which used CES-D as a tool to identify individuals with depressed mood. Influencing factors of depressed mood in cancer patients was analyzed using a binary logistic regression model. Using the Harvard Cancer Index, we classified the high-risk patients for depressed mood.

Results: In present study, 52.96 % of cancer patients met criteria for depressed mood based on the CES-D. Significant correlations were found between depressed mood and factors such as gender, self-rated health, sleep duration, exercise, satisfaction with family, residence, education, life satisfaction, and medical insurance. Utilizing the Harvard Cancer Index, we classified patients into five risk levels for depressed mood, revealing a significant variation in the number of depressive patients across these levels (x²=99.82, P < 0.05). Notably, the incidence of depressed mood increased with the risk level among cancer patients (x²=103.40, P < 0.05).

Limitations: Lack of data on tumor typing and subgroups makes it unlikely to explore the specifics of depressed mood in patients with various types of cancer.

Conclusion: The determinants of depressed mood in cancer patients are multi-dimensional. The Harvard Cancer Index may be helpful in identifying high-risk populations.

Keywords: Cancer; Depressed mood; Harvard Cancer Index; Health Ecology Model; High-risk groups; Influencing factors.