Cancer pain, anxiety, and depression in admitted patients at a tertiary care hospital: A prospective observational study

Context: Pain is the most common symptom in admitted cancer patients. The association between the severity of cancer pain and distress symptoms such as depression and anxiety is a subject of research. Aims: The aim is to study the prevalence of pain, anxiety, and depression in admitted cancer patients and determine the association between pain and anxiety and depression at a tertiary cancer care institute. Settings and Design: This was prospective observational study. Subjects and Methods: We enrolled 393 cancer inpatients prospectively after written informed consent. Their disease details, presence, severity, and character of pain were recorded. Numerical Pain Scale was used for pain scores, self-reporting Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for anxiety and depression. Statistical Analysis Used: Normal data were analyzed with parametric, nonnormal with nonparametric methods, and categorical with the Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of moderate-to-severe pain was 41.5%, anxiety 20.3%, and depression 24.8%. Proportion of patients with anxiety and depression was 9.2% and 17.7% in patients with no pain; about 32.8% and 36.7% with severe pain, respectively (P