BACKGROUND: Some, but not all, patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer experience depression. Recognition of depression in these patients is complicated by the effects of cancer, chemotherapy and radiation. METHODS: Total scores of the 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (IDS-SR) were used to divide 52 consecutive radiation oncology outpatients into those with depressive symptoms (n = 16) and those without (n = 36). These 2 groups were compared to find which depressive symptoms occurred and what risk factors were associated with them. RESULTS: Cognitive and endogenous, but not vegetative, symptoms of depression were helpful in distinguishing the 2 groups. A personal or family history of treated depression-but not the number of radiation treatments received-was also predictive of those with depressive symptoms. LIMITATIONS: The patient population studied was small and diverse. Self-reports scores, rather than structured psychiatric interviews, were used to define clinically significant depression. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms are not inevitable with cancer. Patient reports of thoughts of death or suicide, feeling restless, or diminished mood response to good events should prompt a more thorough evaluation for depression. A personal or family history of treated depression appears to be associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms.
BACKGROUND: Some, but not all, patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer experience depression. Recognition of depression in these patients is complicated by the effects of cancer, chemotherapy and radiation. METHODS: Total scores of the 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (IDS-SR) were used to divide 52 consecutive radiation oncology outpatients into those with depressive symptoms (n = 16) and those without (n = 36). These 2 groups were compared to find which depressive symptoms occurred and what risk factors were associated with them. RESULTS: Cognitive and endogenous, but not vegetative, symptoms of depression were helpful in distinguishing the 2 groups. A personal or family history of treated depression-but not the number of radiation treatments received-was also predictive of those with depressive symptoms. LIMITATIONS: The patient population studied was small and diverse. Self-reports scores, rather than structured psychiatric interviews, were used to define clinically significant depression. CONCLUSIONS:Depressive symptoms are not inevitable with cancer. Patient reports of thoughts of death or suicide, feeling restless, or diminished mood response to good events should prompt a more thorough evaluation for depression. A personal or family history of treated depression appears to be associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms.
Authors: Tatiana J Han; Jennifer C Felger; Anna Lee; Donna Mister; Andrew H Miller; Mylin A Torres Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2015-05-14 Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Aru Panwar; Katherine Rieke; William J Burke; Harlan Sayles; William M Lydiatt Journal: JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2018-11-01 Impact factor: 6.223
Authors: Mylin A Torres; Thaddeus W Pace; Tian Liu; Jennifer C Felger; Donna Mister; Gregory H Doho; Jordan N Kohn; Andrea M Barsevick; Qi Long; Andrew H Miller Journal: Cancer Date: 2013-03-19 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Valerio Nardone; Alfonso Reginelli; Claudia Vinciguerra; Pierpaolo Correale; Maria Grazia Calvanese; Sara Falivene; Angelo Sangiovanni; Roberta Grassi; Angela Di Biase; Maria Angela Polifrone; Michele Caraglia; Salvatore Cappabianca; Cesare Guida Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2021-03-19