Study of prevalence and influencing factors of depression in tumor patients and the therapeutic effects of fluoxetine.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the depression in patients with malignant tumor and influencing factors of the disease, as well as to investigate the effects of fluoxetine on depressive symptoms in cancer patients and the immune function.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

262 patients with malignant tumors, confirmed by pathological and radiological diagnosis as malignant tumor were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group with chemotherapy; the treatment group with chemotherapy and 20 mg/d fluoxetine for six weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of QLQ-C30 scale and changes of immune parameters were observed, including the determination of NK and T cell subsets.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression in cancer patients was not related to the tumor location. But gender, age, tumor stage, the income level of satisfaction and chronic cancer pain were related to the occurrence of depression in cancer patients (p < 0.05). In the fluoxetine treatment groups, by QLQ-C30 scores, in quality of life scores including body, function, social and cognitive function, and single symptoms including nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and economic difficulties, the differences were not statistically significant. The QLQ-C30 scores of overall quality of life and emotional function were rising in the fluoxetine treatment group. The QLQ-C30 scores of the pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia symptoms were decreased, which had a statistical significance (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. To compare with the control group, the scores of HAMD were decreasing in the fluoxetine treatment group, which had a statistical significance (p < 0.05). Before treatment, the NK cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ ratios of tumor patients decreased significantly, while CD8+ increased. After 6 weeks of treatment, NK cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ ratios increased significantly and CD8+ decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex, age, tumor stage, income satisfaction, and cancer pain were relevant factors in patients with tumor-associated depression. If depression can be detected in the early stage, and oral fluoxetine therapy can be conducted, it can improve the depression situation and immune function of patients with malignant tumor.