Depression in Hospitalized Cancer Patients

Abstract

The study of depression in cancer patients has been hampered by difficulty in establishing diagnostic criteria, since neurovegetative signs and symptoms may be attributable either to depression or physical illness. Confusion has also arisen in defining the boundary between "normal" grieving with illness, and "abnormal" clinical depression. We studied 62 oncology inpatients applying DSM-III diagnostic criteria, patient self-report, and interview report rating scales. Forty-two percent met criteria for nonbipolar major depression: 24% with severe and 18% with moderately severe symptoms. Fourteen percent of the sample had depressive symptoms that did not meet criteria for a major depression. Forty-four percent had no depressed affect. Medical and demographic variables were evaluated for relationship to depression; only greater degree of physical disability was clearly associated. Other negative life events and poor quality of social supports were additionally associated with depression in the less disabled patients. The use of clearly defined criteria for diagnosis of depression in cancer patients provides a basis for the study and implementation of specific therapeutic interventions.

Predictors of patients' mental adjustment to cancer: patient characteristics and social support

“…Among the medical variables, performance status was the only predictor of fighting spirit. Previous studies have suggested that performance status is one of the most important medical factors affecting psychological distress (Bukberg et al, 1984;Lansky et al, 1985;Cella et al, 1987). This study revealed that measures o1 physical impairment other than cancer site were significantly associated with fighting spirit, suggesting that performance status is among the more important medical factors affecting cancer patients' perception of stress, as opposed to the type of cancer.…”

Psychological aspects of prostate cancer: a clinical review

“…One needs to assess the more subtle psychological or cognitive symptoms, such as feeling a lack of pleasure, depressed mood, hopelessness and helplessness along with anxiousness to help establish a diagnosis. 6 AN OVERVIEW OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN PROSTATE CANCER Anxiety and prostate cancer Anxiety is an affective state that can often occur without an identifiable triggering stimulus. As such, it must be distinguished from fear, which is an emotional response to a perceived threat.…”

Depressão e câncer

“…Surpreendentemente, menos da metade dos pacientes com câncer avançado, com sintomas depressivos de moderados a graves, recebe tratamento com antidepressivos 35 . Os cuidadores de pacientes com câncer avançado têm taxas de transtornos psiquiátricos similares aos dos pacientes com câncer avançado.…”