The prevalence of psychiatric disorder and the wish to hasten death among terminally ill cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the prevalence of psychiatric disorder among a group of terminally ill cancer patients with or without a wish to hasten death (WTHD).


METHODS
Consecutive patient referrals to a hospice inpatient unit, home palliative care service, and hospital palliative care-consulting service were recruited. A group of these patients (n = 56) consented to participate in a structured clinical interview (SCID) to identify the presence of psychiatric diagnoses. Patients were categorised into those with or without a wish to hasten death.


RESULTS
Current major depressive episode and adjustment disorder were the most prevalent disorders in this group of patients. Patients with a high WTHD were significantly more likely to have a current major depressive episode compared to patients with no WTHD. Patients with a high WTHD were also significantly more likely to have a past major depressive episode compared to patients with no WTHD.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the view that terminally ill patients with a high WTHD are significantly more likely to be suffering from a depressive disorder as assessed by a structured clinical interview. This has important clinical implications for those caring for dying patients who may make a request to hasten death.
Kelly
Brian J
BJ
Center for Rural & Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Orange, Australia. bjk2336@ozemail.com
Pelusi
Dan
D
Burnett
Paul C
PC
Varghese
Francis T
FT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care; D015995:Prevalence; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*