Dezocine reduces depression symptoms after colorectal cancer surgery

This study investigated whether dezocine (Dalgan) could relieve depression symptoms after CRC surgery. Researchers suggested that this drug reduces depression after surgery and improves sleep quality in patients with CRC.

CRC is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The standard treatment is surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery, anesthesia, and pain are associated with recovery after cancer surgery. Psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety are very common after a cancer diagnosis. This has a negative effect on the quality of life and treatment outcomes. Surgery is also associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms.

Dezocine is one of the most prescribed analgesics in China for pain after cancer surgery. Recent studies found that this drug could also have an anti-depressant effect. However, there are no studies on whether the use of this drug could help prevent depression symptoms after CRC surgery.

This study included information about 120 patients with CRC who underwent surgery. These patients were assigned to receive either sufentanil (Dsuvia) with dezocine or sufentanil alone after CRC surgery.

Participants who received dezocine had a lower depression rate at 2 days after surgery, when compared to the sufentanil alone group. These patients also showed better night sleep quality on the day of surgery and at 1 day after the surgery. No significant differences were seen in other outcomes such as pain, nausea, major complications or hospital stay between the two groups.

This study concluded that dezocine added to sufentanil is associated with a decrease in depression symptoms after colorectal cancer surgery.

This study only analyzed postoperative depression during hospital stay. The long-term psychological effects of dezocine need further evaluation. Also, dezocine was evaluated in combination with sufentanil. The effect of this drug alone also needs further evaluation.