Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between depression and pain perception in cancer patients.
Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study (from October to December 2015) 380 cancer patients were admitted to one of our hospitals associated with the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Sari, Iran), and were entered to the study using accessible sampling. Data was collected by demographic questionnaire, depression scale of Center for Epidemiological studies and McGill pain questionnaire. The statistical package for social sciences, version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was utilized for data analysis by descriptive and inferential statistic tests, including Spearman’s correlation and Generalized Linear models.
Results: Males (48.39±13±39; CI 95: 46.41-50.38) were older than females (45.33±18.44; CI 95: 42.79-47.87). There is a positive and significant correlation between pain perception and depression and there is a negative and significant correlation between depression and stages of cancer (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Considering the adverse effects of depression on the treatment process and secondary problems, more comprehensive studies should be conducted about the effects of depression on pain perception in order to take effective steps towards intervention and health promotion of these patients.