In a nutshell
This study evaluated the quality of life and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients suffering from anxiety and depression.
Some background
Many cancer patients experience anxiety and depression following diagnosis or treatments. It is estimated that 25% of lung cancer patient suffer from depression. Depression and anxiety among cancer patients decreases quality of life and may reduce patient adherence to treatment. Cessation or delay of treatments, referred to as non-adherence or non-compliance, may also significantly reduce survival among cancer patients.
Methods & findings
The study involved a total of 82 patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 32.9% of patients were found to be depressed and 34.1% were found to suffer from anxiety. Quality of life, as reported by patient, was significantly reduced among patients suffering from depression or anxiety. Patient with depression were also found to be less adherent to treatments. 58% of patients with depression showed poor treatment adherence compared to 42% of patients without depression. The effects of depression on survival were also found to be significant. On average, patients with depression showed an overall survival of 6.8 months, compared to 14 months among patients without depression.
The bottom line
The study concluded that both depression and anxiety are common among patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Depressed patients show a poor prognosis compared to non-depressed patients.
The fine print
This study involved only a very small number of patients. Previous studies investigating depression and survival have shown contradictory results to this study. In addition, not all patient characteristics (such as age, tumor size, cancer stage and treatments received) were similar between the two groups (depressed versus non-depressed patients). This probably accounts in part for the large difference found in overall survival time among depressed patients.
What’s next?
Consult with a professional care giver regarding methods to reduce anxiety and depression following cancer diagnosis or during treatments.
Published By :
Annals of Surgical Oncology
Date :
Jun 18, 2013
