Management of major depression in outpatients attending a cancer centre: a preliminary evaluation of a multicomponent cancer nurse-delivered intervention

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) is associated with an increased symptom burden, greater disability, reduced quality of life and poorer medical outcome (Katon, 1996), and occurs in a substantial proportion of cancer patients (Lynch, 1995; McDaniel et al, 1995). There is some evidence for the efficacy of antidepressant drugs (McDaniel et al, 1995) and for psychological therapies (Sheard and Maguire, 1999).However, many patients do not receive any potentially effective treatment (Lynch, 1995). We have therefore developed and piloted a cancer nurse-delivered intervention. The aim of this study was to perform a preliminary evaluation of its feasibility and efficacy in oncology outpatients.