A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.
Abstract
Depression felt by those with cancer responds dramatically to an intensive intervention.
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G. Rodin. Lancet 2014; 384: 1076–1078. Published online August 28, 2014 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61342-8
This Comment considers three linked papers published from The Lancet group of publications (Lancet, Lancet Oncol and Lancet Psychiatry); it describes 'a rigorous approach to the implementation and assessment of a complex intervention to alleviate depression in people with cancer.' In a multicentre phase 3 trial, 62% of those with cancer and depression responded positively (Symptom Checklist Depression Scale – SCL-20 among other measurements) compared with only 17% in those who received standard care. Intervention included, both antidepressant medication and psychological treatment delivered by a number of different carers, including with up to ten sessions with a nurse, all in liaison with the oncologist. The cost for this additional treatment was an additional £613 for each patient. In a parallel study carried out with those with lung cancer (only 13% 5-year survival), the above intervention also reported an improvement in depression although the result was not so dramatic.
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Comment: Effective treatment for depression in patients with cancer. Br Dent J 218, 177 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.90
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.90