This is an English study that was published in 2009. [1]
Out of the eligible 132 patients, 87 participated in the study. The Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) and self-rated symptoms list were completed three times over an eight-week period and analyzed, together with demographic and clinical factors. Depression was self-rated in 29% (25/87) of patients at the initial screen. 54.5% of surviving patients remained depressed at eight-week follow-up. No significant associations were found between baseline EDS ‘caseness’ and demographic factors or tumour type. Sixty-two per cent (54/87) of patients died during the 12 month period of the study. The EDS score had a significant independent effect upon risk of death in study period – a one-point increase in EDS score raises risk of outcome (death) by 7%.
1 Lloyd-Williams M, Shiels C, Taylor F, et al. Depression – An independent predictor of early death in patients with advanced cancer. J Affect Disord 2009;113:127–32. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.04.002
