Financial status associated with anxiety and depression in women with DCIS

After a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ, women with medium or low socioeconomic status had increased anxiety and depression compared with women with high financial status.

Researchers analyzed data from 487 women with ductal carcinoma in situ; the women answered questions about sociodemographic, psychosocial and clinical characteristics at baseline and nine months after diagnosis.

At follow-up, financial status was positively associated with and predicted change in anxiety (P=.0005) and depression (P=.0006). However, women with high financial status had decreased anxiety and depression over time, whereas women with medium or low financial status had increased anxiety and depression. Women with low financial status showed a large increase.

There was no association between education status and anxiety and depression. The number of women who scored 16 or greater on the measure of depression increased with decreasing financial status at baseline (P=.002) and follow-up (P=.0001), according to researchers. A score of 16 of more suggested that the women had clinical depression and needed further screening.

The researchers also found that the link between financial status and change in anxiety and depression was not explained by differences in social support. Also, the effect of low financial status or education on anxiety and depression was not buffered by social support.

De Moor JS. Cancer. 2010;116:1218-1225.