Treatment of depression in cancer patients is associated with better life adaptation: a pilot study

Major depression occurs in a significant number of cancer patients, and there is evidence that cancer patients with depression do not receive adequate antidepressant treatment. In an uncontrolled pilot study, the authors assess the degree of depression and the quality of life after the initiation of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychosomatic medicine 1988, Vol.50 (1), p.72-76
Main Authors: EVANS, D. L, MCCARTNEY, C. F, HAGGERTY, J. J. JR, NEMEROFF, C. F, GOLDEN, V, DROBA, M, MASON, G. A, FOWLER, W. C, RAFT, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adjustment Disorders - drug therapy
Adjustment Disorders - psychology
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Genital Neoplasms, Female - psychology
Humans
Imipramine - therapeutic use
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Neuropharmacology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease)
Psychological Tests
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopharmacology
Quality of Life
Sick Role
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Summary:Major depression occurs in a significant number of cancer patients, and there is evidence that cancer patients with depression do not receive adequate antidepressant treatment. In an uncontrolled pilot study, the authors assess the degree of depression and the quality of life after the initiation of antidepressant medication treatment in 12 depressed cancer patients who received adequate antidepressant drugs and in 10 depressed cancer patients who received inadequate antidepressant treatment. These preliminary findings suggest that cancer patients with major depression benefit from antidepressant medication treatment and may experience an improved psychosocial adjustment to cancer. Controlled clinical trials will be necessary to verify these preliminary findings.
ISSN:0033-3174
DOI:10.1097/00006842-198801000-00009