RTOG 0841: Two-Item Questionnaire Effectively Screens for Depression in Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy

Small, W.; Pugh, Stephanie L.; Wagner, Lynne I.; Kirshner, Jeffrey J.; Sidhu, Kulbir; Bury, Magdalena; DeNittis, Albert S.; Alpert, Tracy E.; Tran, Binh N.; Bruner, Deborah Watkins

doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2013.06.013

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Moreover, it is not clear how many patients would have been identified as suffering from depression had more extensive methods for depression case‐finding, such as clinical interview, been used systematically. It is noteworthy that in a population of patients receiving radiation therapy for malignancy (the RTOG 0841 study), a two‐question screening approach that focused on depressed mood and anhedonia (the PHQ‐2) was found to have similar accuracy for detecting depression as a commonly used nine‐item depression instrument (the PHQ‐9), each with an area under the curve of 0.83 . One of our case‐finding methods takes the same approach by examining the two MDASI items specifically addressing depressed mood and anhedonia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Patterns and predictors of antidepressant use in ambulatory cancer patients with common solid tumors

et al. 2014

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Purpose Depressive symptoms and antidepressant use are prevalent among cancer patients. We sought to identify determinants of prescribing commonly used antidepressants. Patients and Methods This multi-institutional study enrolled 3106 ambulatory patients with cancer of the breast, prostate, colon/rectum, or lung. Five case-finding methods were used to identify patients with depressive symptoms. Logistic models were used to examine factors that impact antidepressant use. Results Approximately 47% of patients were defined as having depressive symptoms. Clinicians rated being sad/depressed as one of the top three priority problems for 10.5% of patients. Antidepressants were prescribed in 19% of all patients; 25% with depressive symptoms and 14% non-depressed patients. After adjusting for other covariates, these variable categories were significantly associated with greater use of antidepressants: depressive symptoms, family history of depression, concurrent medication use, cancer treatment status, and certain other clinical and demographic variables. The strongest individual predictors were concurrent use of more than 10 medications (odds ratio [OR] = 3.3), a family history of depression (OR = 2.2), sedative use (OR=2.1), non-Hispanic white race (OR = 2.0), and anxiolytics use (OR = 2.0). Conclusions Depressive symptoms are found in nearly half of outpatients with cancer, and one-fourth of patients with depressive symptoms are taking an antidepressant. Patients receiving antidepressants are more often those taking multiple medications, those with a depression diathesis, and those with more extensive cancer treatment. Patients who were younger, white and female were also more likely to be taking antidepressants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Patterns and predictors of antidepressant use in ambulatory cancer patients with common solid tumors

et al. 2014

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“…aims to facilitate prompt and optimal treatment of both acute and chronic psychosocial function decline . A recent multi‐institutional clinical trial affirmed the importance and feasibility of addressing psychosocial function in radiation oncology on a national level within current cooperative groups .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… with 568 general RT patients identified 21% anxiety, 7% depression, and 39% distress at 3 months following RT completion and concluded that distress screening alone does not alleviate psychosocial function decline. A recently reported (abstract‐only) multi‐institutional trial performed by the RT Oncology Group (RTOG 0841) of 455 general RT patients assessed at a single point prior to RT reported a 16.5% prevalence rate of depressive symptoms using the DT and other rapid instruments .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring psychosocial functioning in the radiation oncology clinic: a systematic review

Hess

Chen

2014

Psycho-Oncology

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“…In both phases patients were recruited to complete a baseline self-reported questionnaire on their current health status. This comorbidity screening tool included questions on long-term conditions (New Zealand Health Survey [33]), functional and social status, previous health service use, medications (CGA-GOLD [29]), quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30 [34]), and a screen for depression [35,36]. Research nurses also completed a screen for comorbidity through medical note review and undertook a check for medication interactions [37].…”

Section: Study Processes and Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving management of comorbidity in patients with colorectal cancer using comprehensive medical assessment: a pilot study

et al. 2020

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Background: Screening for and active management of comorbidity soon after cancer diagnosis shows promise in altering cancer treatment and outcomes for comorbid patients. Prior to a large multi-centre study, piloting of the intervention (comprehensive medical assessment) was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of the comorbidity screening tools and proposed outcome measures, and the feasibility, acceptability and potential effect of the intervention. Methods: In this pilot intervention study, 72 patients of all ages (36 observation/36 intervention) with newly diagnosed or recently relapsed colorectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled and underwent comorbidity screening and risk stratification. Intervention patients meeting pre-specified comorbidity criteria were referred for intervention, a comprehensive medical assessment carried out by geriatricians. Each intervention was individually tailored but included assessment and management of comorbidity, polypharmacy, mental health particularly depression, functional status and psychosocial issues. Recruitment and referral to intervention were tracked, verbal and written feedback were gathered from staff, and semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 13 patients to assess screening tool and intervention feasibility and acceptability. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Patients were followed for 6-12 months after recruitment to assess feasibility of proposed outcome measures (chemotherapy uptake and completion rates, grade 3-5 treatment toxicity, attendance at hospital emergency clinic, and unplanned hospitalisations) and descriptive data on outcomes collated. Results: Of the 29 intervention patients eligible for the intervention, 21 received it with feedback indicating that the intervention was acceptable. Those in the intervention group were less likely to be on 3+ medications, to have been admitted to hospital in previous 12 months, or to have limitations in daily activities. Collection of data to measure proposed outcomes was feasible with 55% (6/11) of intervention patients completing chemotherapy as planned compared to none (of 14) of the control group. No differences were seen in other outcome measures. Overall the study was feasible with modification, but the intervention was difficult to integrate into clinical pathways. Conclusions: This study generated valuable results that will be used to guide modification of the study and its approaches prior to progressing to a larger-scale study.

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RTOG 0841: Two-Item Questionnaire Effectively Screens for Depression in Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Patterns and predictors of antidepressant use in ambulatory cancer patients with common solid tumors

Patterns and predictors of antidepressant use in ambulatory cancer patients with common solid tumors

Measuring psychosocial functioning in the radiation oncology clinic: a systematic review

Improving management of comorbidity in patients with colorectal cancer using comprehensive medical assessment: a pilot study

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