Cognitive dysfunction and depression in chemotherapy patients: a cross-sectional study from Turkey

Abstract

Objective This study investigates the relationship between cognitive function and depression in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 80 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Data were collected using the Socio-Demographic Information Form, the Functional Assessment of Cancer TherapyCognitive Function (FACT-Cog), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Assessments were conducted prior to the second cycle of chemotherapy. Results Among participants, 72.8% were female and 47.5% aged 40–50. Moderate depressive symptoms were most common (45%). Cognitive dysfunction was inversely correlated with depression (r = -0.525, p < 0.001). Low income significantly predicted lower cognitive scores (p = 0.01). Conclusion Chemotherapy patients exhibit cognitive decline and elevated depression levels. Socioeconomic status exacerbates these effects. Psychosocial interventions should be integrated into oncological rehabilitation.