Patterns and predictors of antidepressant use in ambulatory cancer patients with common solid tumors.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Depressive symptoms and antidepressant use are prevalent among cancer patients. We sought to identify determinants of prescribing commonly used antidepressants.

Patients and methods

This multi-institutional study enrolled 3106 ambulatory patients with cancer of the breast, prostate, colon/rectum, or lung. Five case-finding methods were used to identify patients with depressive symptoms. Logistic models were used to examine factors that impact antidepressant use.

Results

Approximately, 47% of patients were defined as having depressive symptoms. Clinicians rated being sad/depressed as one of the top three priority problems for 10.5% of patients. Antidepressants were prescribed in 19% of all patients, 25% with depressive symptoms and 14% nondepressed patients. Af

SUBMITTER: Fisch MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4265573 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature