Depression and cancer mortality

A meta-analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID23319213
AuthorsM Pinquart, P R Duberstein
Year2010
Volume40
Issue11
Pages1797-1810
Publication date2010-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2917 • E-ISSN: 1469-8978
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0033291709992285
PMID20085667
PMCIDPMC2935927
LanguageEN
Citations received60
References cited97

Background The goal of the present study was to analyze associations between depression and mortality of cancer patients and to test whether these associations would vary by study characteristics. Method Meta-analysis was used for integrating the results of 105 samples derived from 76 prospective studies. Results Depression diagnosis and higher levels of depressive symptoms predicted elevated mortality. This was true in studies that assessed depression before cancer diagnosis as well as in studies that assessed depression following cancer diagnosis. Associations between depression and mortality persisted after controlling for confounding medical variables. The depression–mortality association was weaker in studies that had longer intervals between assessments of depression and mortality, in younger samples and in studies that used the Beck Depression Inventory as compared with other depression scales. Conclusions Screening for depression should be routinely conducted in the cancer treatment setting. Referrals to mental health specialists should be considered. Research is needed on whether the treatment of depression could, beyond enhancing quality of life, extend survival of depressed cancer patients.

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