DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN HOME-CARE-ASSISTED CANCER-PATIENTS

To examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its relationship with quality-of-life domains in home-care cancer patients at an advanc ed stage of illness, 86 patients were given psychological test for dep ression (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale) (HAD) and quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30) 1 week after admission to the home-care program. Using a proper cut-off score on the HAD-Depression subscale, depressive sym ptoms were reported by 45% of the patients. The quality of life of dep ressed patients was more affected than non-depressed patients in the s ocial, emotional, cognitive, and physical domains. Significant correla tions were found between depression scores and impairment in most qual ity-of-life areas. These findings support the importance of depression and quality-of-life evaluation in patients with advanced cancer who a re followed in a home-care setting. This evaluation is needed to provi de patients, their families, and caregivers with appropriate psychosoc ial interventions. (C) U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee, 1996.