Class of 2013 Abstract / Specific Aims: To evaluate efficacy of the current pharmacological treatment of depression in the adult advanced and terminal cancer patient population.
Methods: Trials assessing a pharmacological treatment for depression in cancer patients were found using MEDLINE and PSYCINFO databases. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used to generate a random effects model forest plot, a funnel plot, classical fail-safe N, I2, and Kendall’s tau.
Main Results: Ten studies, with an aggregate population was 1,167 patients, were used in this meta-analysis to generate a random effects variance model. The effect size was 0.42 +/- 0.09 (p < 0.01). I2 for aggregate data was 66.16 (p < 0.01). Kendall’s tau with continuity correction was 0.272 (P-value [2-tailed] = .244). The classic fail-safe N was 151 (p < 0.1). Three studies reported a significant increase in adverse effects between treatment and comparison group.
Conclusion: Antidepressants were shown to have a moderate effect size when treating depression in advanced and terminal cancer patients. These medications were well tolerated. Antidepressant medications are beneficial as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for cancer patients diagnosed with depression.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/614293 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Stewart, Matthew, Regan, John |
| Contributors | Regan, John, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Electronic Report |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. |
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