Patients After Mastectomy: The Prevalence of Phantom Breast Syndrome and Its Effect on Depression Phantom Breast Syndrome after mastectomy

Rufina Soomro (1), Hamna Jamal (2), Sabbiha Rizwan (3), Nikhat Fatima (4)
(1) Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi. Pakistan, Pakistan,
(2) Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi. Pakistan, Pakistan,
(3) Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi. Pakistan, Pakistan,
(4) Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi. Pakistan, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Phantom breast syndrome (PBS) following mastectomy has been believed to be a complex psychological reaction to mastectomy but studies on PBS are limited. The study aims to determine the prevalence of phantom breast syndrome and the impact of phantom breast syndrome on patients suffering from depression following mastectomy.


Methods: A total of 272 women who had undergone mastectomy were interviewed using a structured questionnaire related to phantom breast sensation and depression caused by its effect by using ‘’Hamilton Depression Scale’. SPSS Statistics v27 was used to analyze the data.


Results: Out of 272 females, 7.4% of the participants in our study reported having phantom sensations following surgery, 64.7% had Phantom Breast Syndrome,37.5% had mild, 5.1% had moderate, and 0.7% had severe depression according to ‘Hamilton Depression Scale’. Univariate logistic regression revealed that females under 45 have a higher likelihood of developing phantom breast syndrome compared to those over 45 (OR=2.012, p=0.038).


Conclusion: Females with depression have a higher likelihood of experiencing phantom breast syndrome compared to females without depression.

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Authors

Rufina Soomro
rufina.soomro@hotmail.com (Primary Contact)
Hamna Jamal
Sabbiha Rizwan
Nikhat Fatima
1.
Soomro R, Jamal H, Rizwan S, Fatima N. Patients After Mastectomy: The Prevalence of Phantom Breast Syndrome and Its Effect on Depression: Phantom Breast Syndrome after mastectomy. Arch Breast Cancer [Internet]. 2024 May 1 [cited 2024 Oct. 7];11(2):198-203. Available from: https://archbreastcancer.com/index.php/abc/article/view/911

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