Suicidal ideation, depression, and health-related quality of life in patients with benign and malignant brain tumors: a prospective observational study in 83 patients.
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychosocial burden are of relevance in patients with intracranial tumors. We investigated the prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI), depression, and their association with HRQoL in patients with intra- (IA) and extraaxial (EA) tumors during the first 9 months after diagnosis.



Patients were recruited immediately following surgery, and re-evaluated after 3, 6, and 9 months (EORTC QLQ-C30/BN20, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Appendix). Patients with a personal history of psychological comorbidity were excluded. Sociodemographic and clinical data were evaluated.



IA patients had lower functioning scores and experienced more symptoms. Global Health Status was significantly lower at baseline (p = 0.038), but improved over time (p < 0.001). Seventeen patients (21.5 %) admitted to having had SI at least once during the study period (IA: n = 10/EA: n = 7). The highest rates were observed after 6 (IA: 18.8 %) and 9 months (EA: 10.0 %). Patients reporting SI had significantly higher BDI scores [p = 0.22 (baseline), p = 0.031 (3 months), p < 0.001 (6 months)]. After 6 months, HRQoL differed greatest between patients with and without SI. Most patients experienced good familial support (76 %).



Patients with intracranial tumors suffer from decreased HRQoL and SI regardless of histopathology. SI is associated with higher BDI scores, but not evident depression (BDI ≥ 18). Thus, patients should be screened specifically and regularly. Lower HRQoL and greatest prevalence of SI at 6 months may help clinicians to find the right time for careful monitoring of patients at risk.
Center for Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, Hirslanden, Witellikerstrasse 40, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland. ak.hickmann@gmail.com.|Department of Neurosurgery Klinikum Stuttgart, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany. ak.hickmann@gmail.com.
Anne-Katrin
AK
Hickmann
Department of Neurosurgery Klinikum Stuttgart, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany.
Minou
M
Nadji-Ohl
Department of Neurosurgery Klinikum Stuttgart, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany.
Markus
M
Haug
Department of Neurosurgery Klinikum Stuttgart, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany.|Neurochirurgicum, Center for Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, Stuttgart, Germany.
Nikolai J
NJ
Hopf
Department of Neurosurgery Klinikum Stuttgart, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany.
Oliver
O
Ganslandt
Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center, Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
Alf
A
Giese
Department of Neurosurgery Klinikum Stuttgart, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany.|Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center, Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
Mirjam
M
Renovanz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Brain tumor; Depression; Needs assessment; Prospective study; Questionnaire; Suicidal ideation