PSYCHOSTIMULANTS FOR DEPRESSION IN HOSPITALIZED CANCER-PATIENTS

The hospital charts of 59 hospitalized oncology patients who had been treated with either dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate for depressio n during a 5-year period at the Massachusetts General Hospital were ex amined. Eighty-three percent of the patients showed at least some impr ovement following psychostimulant treatment. Seventy-three percent of all patients demonstrated marked or moderate depressive symptom improv ement. No significant differences in efficacy were noted between the t wo psychostimulants, or across psychiatric diagnostic categories for d epression. The patients improved quickly usually within the first 2 da ys of treatment. Ten percent of the patients experienced adverse react ions warranting discontinuation of the psychostimulants. Fifty-four pe rcent of all patients had some appetite improvement. Anorexia was not observed as a treatment side effect. The authors conclude that psychos timulants are an effective and safe method of treatment for the depres sed oncology patient.