Depression and anxiety in pet owners after a diagnosis of cancer in their pets: a cross-sectional study in Japan. Issue 2 (3rd February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakano, Yuko; Matsushima, Masato; Nakamori, Azusa; Hiroma, Junshiro; Matsuo, Eiji; Wakabayashi, Hidetaka; Yoshida, Shuhei; Ichikawa, Hiroko; Kaneko, Makoto; Mutai, Rieko; Sugiyama, Yoshifumi; Yoshida, Eriko; Kobayashi, Tetsuya
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 9:Issue 2(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-02-03
• Subjects: family practice -- depression -- anxiety -- pet cancer -- family genogram; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024512
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To determine the presence and predictors of depression and anxiety in pet owners after a diagnosis of cancer in their pets. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A veterinary medical centre specialised in oncology for dogs and cats and two primary veterinary clinics in Japan. Participants: The participants for analysis were 99 owners of a pet with cancer diagnosis received in the past 1–3 weeks and 94 owners of a healthy pet. Main outcome measures: Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess depression and anxiety. Depression was assessed using the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and anxiety was measured by using the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form JYZ. Results: Depression scores were significantly higher in owners of a pet with cancer than owners of a healthy pet, even after adjustment for potential confounders (p<0.001). Within the owners of a pet with cancer, depression was significantly more common in those who were employed than those who were unemployed (p=0.048). State anxiety scores were significantly higher in owners of a pet with cancer than owners of a healthy pet, even after adjustment for potential confounders, including trait–anxiety scores (p<0.001). Furthermore, in owners of a pet with cancer, state anxiety was higher in owners with high trait anxiety (p<0.001) and in owners whose pets had a poor prognosis (p=0.027). Conclusion: The results indicate that some owners tended to become depressed and anxious after their pets had received a diagnosis of cancer. Employment may be a predictor of depression. High trait anxiety and a pet with a poor prognosis may increase owners' state anxiety. Including the pet in a family genogram and attention to the pet's health condition may be important considerations for family practice.