OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the prevalence of psychiatric disorder among a group of terminally ill cancer patients with or without a wish to hasten death (WTHD). METHODS: Consecutive patient referrals to a hospice inpatient unit, home palliative care service, and hospital palliative care-consulting service were recruited. A group of these patients (n = 56) consented to participate in a structured clinical interview (SCID) to identify the presence of psychiatric diagnoses. Patients were categorised into those with or without a wish to hasten death. RESULTS: Current major depressive episode and adjustment disorder were the most prevalent disorders in this group of patients. Patients with a high WTHD were significantly more likely to have a current major depressive episode compared to patients with no WTHD. Patients with a high WTHD were also significantly more likely to have a past major depressive episode compared to patients with no WTHD. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: These results support the view that terminally ill patients with a high WTHD are significantly more likely to be suffering from a depressive disorder as assessed by a structured clinical interview. This has important clinical implications for those caring for dying patients who may make a request to hasten death.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the prevalence of psychiatric disorder among a group of terminally ill cancerpatients with or without a wish to hasten death (WTHD). METHODS: Consecutive patient referrals to a hospice inpatient unit, home palliative care service, and hospital palliative care-consulting service were recruited. A group of these patients (n = 56) consented to participate in a structured clinical interview (SCID) to identify the presence of psychiatric diagnoses. Patients were categorised into those with or without a wish to hasten death. RESULTS: Current major depressive episode and adjustment disorder were the most prevalent disorders in this group of patients. Patients with a high WTHD were significantly more likely to have a current major depressive episode compared to patients with no WTHD. Patients with a high WTHD were also significantly more likely to have a past major depressive episode compared to patients with no WTHD. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: These results support the view that terminally ill patients with a high WTHD are significantly more likely to be suffering from a depressive disorder as assessed by a structured clinical interview. This has important clinical implications for those caring for dying patients who may make a request to hasten death.
Authors: Susanne Singer; Anna Brown; Jens Einenkel; Johann Hauss; Andreas Hinz; Andrea Klein; Kirsten Papsdorf; Jens-Uwe Stolzenburg; Elmar Brähler Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2010-09-19 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Wendy G Lichtenthal; Matthew Nilsson; Baohui Zhang; Elizabeth D Trice; David W Kissane; William Breitbart; Holly G Prigerson Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2009-01 Impact factor: 3.894