Clinical Characteristics and Use of Antidepressants among Cancer Patients Referred for Psychiatric Consultation : A Korean Multicenter Survey / 신경정신의학
Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
;
: 387-394, 2012.
Article
in Korean
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-100447
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Antidepressants are frequently used for treatment of psychological distress among cancer patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of psychiatric consultations and antidepressant use for cancer patients.METHODS:
Participants in the study included cancer patients who had been referred for psychiatric consultation. A total of 488 patients were recruited from nine general hospitals in Korea. Questionnaires based on medical records, including antidepressants prescribed, were investigated by psychiatrists.RESULTS:
The most common psychiatric diagnosis of subjects was depressive disorders (72.4%), followed by anxiety disorders (13.0%), and adjustment disorders (7.3%). Antidepressants were prescribed for 96.3% of subjects and escitalopram, mirtazapine, and paroxetine were prescribed frequently, in order. Anxiolytics and hypnotics were used for 58.2% of the subjects, for which lorazepam and alprozolam were preferred. During the study period, 226 (46.8%) subjects discontinued treatment and the most common cause was improvement of symptoms (123, 54.4%).CONCLUSION:
Our results showed a tendency of prescription of antidepressants and anxiolytics and common psychiatric problems in Korean cancer patients. We suppose that these data would be helpful to clinicians who manage psychiatric symptoms of cancer patients.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Anxiety Disorders
/
Referral and Consultation
/
Anti-Anxiety Agents
/
Citalopram
/
Adjustment Disorders
/
Medical Records
/
Surveys and Questionnaires
/
Paroxetine
/
Depressive Disorder
/
Prescriptions
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
Korean
Journal:
Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
Year:
2012
Type:
Article
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