OBJECTIVE: Depression is common in patients with late stage cancer. This study was carried out to investigate whether depression is associated with survival, measuring physical symptoms as a potential confounding variable. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty two patients formed the study sample and eighty-seven patients participated in the study. The Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) and self-rated symptoms list were completed three times over an eight-week period and analyzed, together with relevant demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: Depression was self-rated in 29% (25/87) of patients at the initial screen and 54.5% of surviving patients remained depressed at eight-week follow-up. No significant associations were found between baseline EDS 'caseness' and demographic factors or tumour type. However EDS scores were significantly correlated with four symptoms measures. Sixty two percent (54/87) of patients died during the 12 month period of the study. The EDS score had a significant independent effect upon risk of death in study period - a one-point increase in EDS score raises risk of outcome (death) by 7%. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is an independent predictor of poor survival in patients with advanced cancer. It is important that patients with advanced cancer are screened for depression and appropriate interventions offered.
OBJECTIVE:Depression is common in patients with late stage cancer. This study was carried out to investigate whether depression is associated with survival, measuring physical symptoms as a potential confounding variable. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty two patients formed the study sample and eighty-seven patients participated in the study. The Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) and self-rated symptoms list were completed three times over an eight-week period and analyzed, together with relevant demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS:Depression was self-rated in 29% (25/87) of patients at the initial screen and 54.5% of surviving patients remained depressed at eight-week follow-up. No significant associations were found between baseline EDS 'caseness' and demographic factors or tumour type. However EDS scores were significantly correlated with four symptoms measures. Sixty two percent (54/87) of patients died during the 12 month period of the study. The EDS score had a significant independent effect upon risk of death in study period - a one-point increase in EDS score raises risk of outcome (death) by 7%. CONCLUSIONS:Depression is an independent predictor of poor survival in patients with advanced cancer. It is important that patients with advanced cancer are screened for depression and appropriate interventions offered.
Authors: Franca Warmenhoven; Eric van Rijswijk; Elise van Hoogstraten; Karel van Spaendonck; Peter Lucassen; Judith Prins; Kris Vissers; Chris van Weel Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2012 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Anna T Prescott; Jay G Hull; J Nicholas Dionne-Odom; Tor D Tosteson; Kathleen Doyle Lyons; Zhigang Li; Zhongze Li; Konstantin H Dragnev; Mark T Hegel; Karen E Steinhauser; Tim A Ahles; Marie A Bakitas Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2017-10-19 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Mark I Weinberger; Martha L Bruce; Andrew J Roth; William Breitbart; Christian J Nelson Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2011-01 Impact factor: 3.485