ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of mirtazapine to improve the life quality of malignant tumor patients with moderate or severe depres-sion. Methods Patients with mood disorders screened by the physician were then graded by the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)under the tu-telage of ward psychological consultant. Fifty patients with moderate or severe depression were selected by psychological doctors and recruited for the study. After obtaining consent,the patients received 15-60 mg/d mirtazapine every night for 9 weeks. According to the Quality of Life Rating Scale (QOL),the scores of these patients were evaluated at the pretreatment,the 3rd week and the 9th week of the post-treatment. Then,the life quality conditions before and after treatment were revaluated. Results The scores of HAMD were 33.16±7.25,28.74±6.24,and 22.58±6.71 at the pretreat-ment,the 3rd week and the 9th week of the post-treatment,respectively. There were significantly different among the HAMD scores at the pretreat-ment,the 3rd week and the 9th week of the post-treatment.(F=30.99,P<0.01). The scores of HAMD were improved significantly between the pre-treatment and the 3rd week of the post-treatment(P<0.05). The scores of HAMD were also improved significantly between the 3rd week and the 9th week of the post-treatment(P<0.05). After treatment by mirtazapine,the appetite,spirit,sleep,fatigue,pain,the reorganization of cancer,the attitude towards treatment,the side effect of treatment and the facial expression were significantly improved(P<0.01). Conclusion Mirtazapine could improve the life quality of malignant tumor patients with moderate or severe depression.