Dose-dependent development of depressive symptoms during adjuvant interferon-{alpha} treatment of patients with malignant melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Adjuvant IFN-α treatment for patients with malignant melanoma is often complicated by depression. The influence of dosage, however, is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to elucidate this dosage effect.


METHODS
Using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and the German Bf-S Self-Rating (Affectivity) Scale, the authors prospectively compared the frequency and severity of IFN-α-induced depressive symptoms between a group of 29 patients receiving low-dose and 17 patients getting high-dose induction therapy for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Patients receiving high-dose induction treatment had significantly higher depression scores after 4 weeks, and significantly more patients in the high-dose group developed depression.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors concluded that frequency and severity of IFN-α-associated depression during melanoma treatment are dose-dependent.
correspondence and McMaster University, Brain-Body Institute, St. Joseph`s Healthcare, 50 Charlton Ave. E., L8N4A6 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. friebe@mcmaster.ca
Astrid
A
Friebe
Martin
M
Horn
Folkhart
F
Schmidt
Gesa
G
Janssen
Monika-H
MH
Schmid-Wendtner
Matthias
M
Volkenandt
Axel
A
Hauschild
Charlie H
CH
Goldsmith
Martin
M
Schaefer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016898:Interferon-alpha