MAGNITUDE OF DEPRESSION AMONG PATIENTS WITH DERMATOLOGIC PROBLEM AT ST PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity or apathy that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. Medical diagnoses such as cancers, HIV/AIDS and skin diseases are known to result in depression. Any medical condition can affect the integumentary system. This study will serve as a baseline data for future intervention by the Federal health bureau. Objective: This study assessed the magnitude of depression among patients with dermatologic disease in SPHMMC. Method: Institution based cross sectional study design was used. Interviewer administered questionnaire using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Health 5 (DSM 5) criteria (PHQ (Patient Health Questionnaire) for screening) was used to categorize patients as having depression or not. Statistical package for Social Sciences 20 was used to assess the relation between independent variables like age, sex, marital status, comorbidities, social support and location of the skin lesion with the dependent variable depression. Results: A total of 200 patients were included in the study, with an age range of 15 to 70 years and a mean age of 32.8 years. 69% of the respondents were females and the rest were males. Out of the respondents, 11% were illiterate. In the study, over 40 different skin ailments (diagnoses) were identified. Inflammatory Skin Diseases accounted for majority (34.5%) of patients. The overall magnitude of Clinically Significant Depression (with PHQ score of 5 and above) was 51.5% with 95% CI (44.3-58.6%). When assessing the depression severity using the PHQ scoring system, 41% of respondents have mild depression with score of 5-9, 7% have moderate depression, with score of 10-14, 2% have moderately severe depression with score of 15-19 and 1.5% have severe depression with score of 20-27. Conclusions: There is a high rate of depression in dermatological out-patients suffering from disfiguring skin conditions. SPHMMC should integrate mental health of patients attending the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic with the cares they receive, through the several screening methods. Professionals based at SPHMMC should receive trainings on basic mental health issues. Further research on risk factors should be conducted. Key words: Depression, Dermatologic problem, Magnitude