Profile of drugs for treatment of comorbidities in patients with cancer and associated levels of anxiety and depression

Managing cancer patients requires numerous drugs, such as chemotherapeutic agents and drugs for other chronic diseases. Thus, health teams must be aware of potential drug interactions that may be detrimental to health. This study analyzed the types of non-chemotherapeutic drugs used by cancer patients and screened patients undergoing cancer treatment for anxiety and depression. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 138 cancer patients receiving treatment at a reference center in Divinopolis, a city in the midwestern region of the state of Minas Gerais, from June to July 2014. Drug-related data were recorded in a form created by the authors, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used for screening the patients for anxiety and depression. Results: Most patients (62.32%) were taking non-chemotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic agents. Eighty-nine types of drugs were reported. The most common drug classes were those that act on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, alimentary tract, and metabolism. Most patients were taking more than one drug, and 14 patients were taking 6 or more classes of drugs. The number of drug classes correlated with marital status and type of treatment. Anxiety and depression were found in 31.16% and 25.37% of the patients, respectively, and depression correlated with type of cancer (p< 0.048). Conclusion: The non-chemotherapeutic drugs taken by patients undergoing cancer treatment does not differ from those taken by the general population. Health professionals must bear in mind these patients’ vulnerability to side effects and drug interactions, carefully assessing the risks and benefits of treatment and taking into account associated comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression.