Clinical Characteristics and Use of Antidepressants among Cancer Patients Referred for Psychiatric Consultation : A Korean Multicenter Survey.
10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.6.387
- Author:
Jin Seong PARK
1
;
Juwon HA
;
Sewon LIM
;
Tae Suk KIM
;
Jee Hyun HA
;
Jong Woo PAIK
;
Boung Chul LEE
;
Byeong Moo CHOE
;
Kang Joon LEE
;
Sung Wan KIM
;
Jong Chul YANG
;
Young Hoon KO
;
Kang Seob OH
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Ks2485@empal.com
- Publication Type:Multicenter Study ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Cancer;
Antidepressant;
Prescription pattern;
Psychiatric consultation
- MeSH:
Adjustment Disorders;
Anti-Anxiety Agents;
Antidepressive Agents;
Anxiety Disorders;
Citalopram;
Depressive Disorder;
Hospitals, General;
Humans;
Hypnotics and Sedatives;
Korea;
Lorazepam;
Medical Records;
Mental Disorders;
Mianserin;
Paroxetine;
Prescriptions;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Referral and Consultation
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2012;51(6):387-394
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
