Relationship between depression and anxiety with the severity and length of cyclic mastalgia in women

Mastalgia is one of the most common breast problems. Due to the lack of studies on the etiology of mastalgia and unknown etiology of this disorder, this study was performed with aim to assess the relationship between depression and anxiety with the severity and length of cyclic mastalgia in women. This cross-sectional study was performed on 322 women aged 18-45 years old referred to Tabriz health and treatment centers in 2014-2015. The questionnaires of socio-demographic, Nominal Day Breast Pain (NDBP), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used for data collection. General linear model was used to estimate the effect of each of the independent variables (depression, anxiety and socio-demographic characteristics) on the dependent variable (severity of mastalgia). Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 21), and Pearson test, t-test and ANOVA. P According to the results of bivariate tests, there was a significant correlation between the length and severity of mastalgia with anxiety and depression (P<0.05). According to the general linear model, the scores of anxiety and depression were the predictors of length and severity of mastalgia. Anxiety and depression are of the effective factors on the severity and length of cyclic mastalgia, therefore, psychological and emotional support for reducing the level of anxiety and depression should be included in the treatment protocol in this regard.