Patterns of depression in cancer patients: an indirect test of gender-specific vulnerabilities to depression.
BACKGROUND
Higher rates of depression in women compared to men have been attributed to intrinsic biological or psychological vulnerabilities, to their disproportionate exposure to stressful events and circumstances, or to the combined contributions of these factors.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine if there is a gender disparity in depression rates in patients with advanced cancer, a circumstance associated with multiple stressors and a high prevalence of depression.


METHODS
Data were collected from 569 patients, assessing demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, and social support.


RESULTS
Clinically significant symptoms of depression (BDI-II scores ≥16) were reported by more than 20% of the sample, with no significant gender differences in depression. There were no significant gender differences in potentially confounding factors such as social support or physical symptom burden.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that men and women may be equally likely to develop depression when faced with a highly stressful circumstance.
Miller
Sara
S
Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 610 University Avenue 16-724, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada.
Lo
Christopher
C
Gagliese
Lucia
L
Hales
Sarah
S
Rydall
Anne
A
Zimmermann
Camilla
C
Li
Madeline
M
Rodin
Gary
G
D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors