Depression after diagnosis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer and survival: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Major depressive disorder is estimated to occur in 10%-25% of people with cancer, and it has been inconsistently linked to increased mortality.


OBJECTIVE
This pilot study investigates the association of depression and survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.


METHODS
Forty-three recently-diagnosed advanced NSCLC patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and were followed prospectively.


RESULTS
Patients with depression had poorer survival. Median survival was four times shorter than those without depression. Controlling for baseline performance status, depression predicted 6-month mortality, but was not significant for overall survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Although depression after advanced-NSCLC diagnosis was associated with poorer survival at 6 months, this association was not present for overall survival; however, further research with larger samples should be pursued.
Pirl
William F
WF
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02114, USA. wpirl@partners.org
Temel
Jennifer S
JS
Billings
Andrew
A
Dahlin
Constance
C
Jackson
Vicki
V
Prigerson
Holly G
HG
Greer
Joseph
J
Lynch
Thomas J
TJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate