To determine the prevalence of depression among patients diagnosed with brain tumours admitted to neurosurgery units at National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

A descriptive cross sectional study. A sample of 50 inward patients with brain tumours at Neurosurgery units, National Hospital of Sri Lanka were interviewed using a self administered questionnaire to assess the presence and severity of depression (validated Sinhala version of Beck Depression Scale) which was followed by a clinical interview to confirm the results.

Twenty eight (56%) were males. Mean age was 45.7 years (Range 22-71). Most encountered tumour locations in the sample were frontal lobe (n=7, 14%), temporal lobe (n=6, 12%) and cerebropontine angle (n=6, 12%). Most common tumour types in the sample were meningiomas (n=15, 30%) and glioblastomas (n=6, 12%). 24% (n=12) of patients had mild depression; 18% (n=9) had moderate depression; 4% (n=2) had severe depression. 54% (n=27) of patients did not have depression.

A significant proportion of patients with brain tumours had depression. Every patient diagnosed to have a brain tumour should undergo psychiatric evaluation in the course of their treatment and if they have symptoms of Depression need to treat it vigorously.