Decrease in depression symptoms is associated with longer survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a secondary analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Numerous studies have examined the comorbidity of depression with cancer, and some have indicated that depression may be associated with cancer progression or survival. However, few studies have assessed whether changes in depression symptoms are associated with survival.

Methods

In a secondary analysis of a randomized trial of supportive-expressive group therapy, 125 women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) completed a depression symptom measure (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale [CES-D]) at baseline and were randomly assigned to a treatment group or to a control group that received educational materials. At baseline and three follow-up points, 101 of 125 women completed a depression symptom measure. We used these data in a Cox proportional hazards

SUBMITTER: Giese-Davis J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3058287 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature