Why do some cancer patients with depression desire an early death and others do not?

Citation
T. Akechi et al., Why do some cancer patients with depression desire an early death and others do not?, PSYCHOSOMAT, 42(2), 2001, pp. 141-145
Citations number
20
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,"Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry
Journal title
PSYCHOSOMATICS
ISSN journal
0033-3182 → ACNP
Volume
42
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
141 - 145
Database
ISI
SICI code
0033-3182(200103/04)42:2<141:WDSCPW>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
Major depression is a well-documented risk factor for suicide in cancer pat ients as well as in the general population. However there are no data expla ining why some cancer patients suffering from major depression have suicida l ideation, while others do not. The authors investigated the background di fferences among cancer patients suffering from major depression with and wi thout suicidal ideation by analyzing the consultation data of patients refe rred to the psychiatry division. Among the 1,721 referred patients, 220 (12 .8%) were diagnosed with major depression, and of these 113 (51.4%) had sui cidal ideation. Logistic regression analysis indicated that poor physical f unctioning and severe depression were significant risk factors. These preli minary findings suggest that the severity of major depression and physical functioning are important indicators of suicidal ideation among cancer pati ents.