title: A longitudinal analysis of the course of depressive symptomatology in geriatric patients with cancer of the breast, colon, lung, or prostate.
abstract: This study mapped the trajectory of depression and its components (depressive mood, somatic expression of depression, and lack of positive affect) for 1 year after an initial cancer diagnosis, revealing the complex nature of the psychological response to the cancer experience. The analysis was based on 4 waves of panel data from 860 older patients with incident breast, colon, lung, or prostate cancer. Predictors of depressive symptoms included cancer site; stage; comorbidities; sociodemographic characteristics; and indicators of physical functioning, symptom severity, and treatment. Patients' overall depressive symptoms declined, especially depressive mood and somatic indicators. By contrast, the sense of well-being did not recover; in fact, it would have deteriorated without improvements in physical functioning and physical symptoms. The present findings show the importance of psychological assessments and symptom management during cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University, College of Nursing, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. stommel@msu.edu.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stommel
authors.forename: Margot E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kurtz
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kurtz
authors.forename: Charles W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Given
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Given
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology