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Depression Scores Pre and Post Treatment for 414
Men with Prostate Cancer Using Proton
Collaborative Group Data
Megan Dunn, PhD, MSHS†; Cortnie McClintic, RN†;
Sandra Ramirez, RN†; William Hartsell, MD†; Carlos Vargas, MD*
†CDH Proton Center: 4455 Weaver Parkway, Warrenville IL USA *Proton Collaborative Group, USA
Purpose
Numerous studies have been done on the
prevalence and effect of depression
among patients undergoing radiation
therapy. Some estimate prevalence as
1
high as 50% . Depression among prostate
cancer patients has been claimed as a
cause of poor treatment outcomes and is
2
believed to worsen if untreated . This
review of self-reported symptoms aims
to quantify this belief and either
support, or discredit it. This can provide
a guide for physicians as they evaluate
and prioritize symptom management
among this population.
Materials and Methods
A prospective protocol (PCG REG001-09)
was used to collect patient data related
to self-reported levels of depression.
Scores were collected pre-treatment and
at the patient's 3 month follow-up using
the EPIC Quality of Life instrument.
Results
Pre and post treatment scores were
evaluated for 414 men undergoing
proton therapy. Pre-treatment
depression scores averaged 9.67 (SD =
0.089) with a range of 2 to 11 (2 being
most depressed, and 11 being the least
depressed). Post-treatment depression
scores averaged 9.88 (SD = 0.086) with a
range of 2 to 11. A t-test was performed
on the two data sets and results showed
that the data was not significantly
different (p = 0.07).
1. Leopold KA, Ahles TA, Walch, S, et al. Prevalence of mood disorders and
utility of the PRIME-MD in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Int J
Radiat Oncol 1998;42:1105-1112.
2. Sharpley CF, Bitsika V, Christie DRH. Understanding the causes of
depression among prostate cancer patients; development of the effects of
prostate cancer on lifestyle questionnaire. Psycho-Oncology 2009;18:162168
Conclusion
Results indicate that there was no
significant difference in the level
of depression reported by patients
before and after undergoing
proton radiation therapy for
prostate cancer. This large scale
review shows that the prevalence
of depression among prostate
patients might not be as severe as
thought, or that proton therapy
might offer a sample of men
unique to other forms of radiation
therapy in regards to how
frequently they present with
depression. It also shows no
significant difference in the level
of depression reported by the
patients pre-treatment and posttreatment, indicating that there
was no significant detriment to
not having a depression treatment
or prevention intervention for
these individuals.