West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 25 4 2024 04 01 Analyzing Depressive Symptoms Among Elderly Cancer Patients: A Comprehensive Examination of Demographic and Medical Correlates 1271 1276 91093 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.4.1271 EN Rami Hejase Faculty of Sciences, Al Maaref University, Beirut, Lebanon. 0009-0007-5678-1749 Ahmad Mahmoud Saleh Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, to be Nursing College, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia. Hassanat R. Abdel-Aziz Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia. 0000-0001-9162-772X Arule Vellaiyan Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia. 0000-0001-5363-2472 Ahmad Khaleel Al Omari Department of Biomedical Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 0000-0001-6510-1986 Abrar Ahmad Al Omari Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan. 0009-0006-2563-0756 Journal Article 2023 10 16 Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between depressive symptoms and demographic as well as health-related variables in elderly individuals diagnosed with cancer. Methods: A cohort of 50 elderly cancer patients participated in the study. Data collection involved the completion of surveys and assessments encompassing demographic characteristics, medical profiles, levels of depression, cognitive functioning, activities of daily living, and perceived social support. Results: Findings revealed that among the elderly participants, 45% experienced mild depression, 20% exhibited moderate depression, and 5% showed severe depression. Depression levels were found to be linked to marital status (P = 0.03), with widowed individuals reporting the highest depression rates (80%) and single individuals reporting the lowest (4%). Living arrangements were significantly associated with depression (P = 0.012), with participants cohabiting with their partner and children showing lower depression rates (6%) compared to those living solely with their children (40%). Additionally, depression showed a significant correlation with income (P = 0.01), as individuals reporting insufficient income for living expenses displayed higher levels of depression (58%). Furthermore, depression was notably linked to chronic health conditions like diabetes and respiratory ailments (P = .023), with individuals grappling with respiratory issues reporting the highest depression scores. Conclusion: Recognizing and addressing factors such as marital status, living situation, income level, and the presence of chronic illnesses hold the potential for healthcare professionals to tailor interventions effectively to meet the specific requirements of this vulnerable demographic. This tailored approach has the capability to contribute significantly to enhancing the overall well-being and mental health outcomes of elderly cancer patients. https://journal.waocp.org/article_91093_f99fb74a52e27e055838284147629bb4.pdf