Relationship between fatigue and depression in children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Background: Fatigue and depression are the most common and annoying complaints in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and cancer patients feel more tired and stable than healthy people and this condition does not improve with enough sleep and rest. In addition, the psychological and social health of children with cancer may be severely affected as a result of the disease and its treatment.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between fatigue and depression in children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 65 children aged 7-12 years admitted under chemotherapy in the hospital (Isfahan, Iran) in 2015. Samples were selected by convenience sampling method and data were collected using the Multidimensional Scale of Child Fatigue and the Mariaquax Children and Adolescents Depression Inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 by descriptive and analytical statistics (correlation coefficient, regression).

Results: The average age of children was 9.55±1.95 and the average number of chemotherapy courses was 4.7±2.25. The mean score of depression in children was 20/11± 4/65 and the score of fatigue in children was 63/11± 22/45. Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there was a direct relationship between children's depression score and total fatigue score and all its dimensions (P<0.001, r=0/085). There was a direct relationship between fatigue and depression scores with demographic variables (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Early identification of symptoms of fatigue and depression in these children and counseling sessions should be considered. Also, teaching and counseling the parents of these children can play an effective role in controlling and managing these symptoms.