Meta-Analysis: Pharmacological Treatment of Depression in Advanced Cancer

Class of 2013 AbstractSpecific Aims: To evaluate efficacy of the current pharmacological treatment of depression in the adult advanced and terminal cancer patient population. Methods: Trials assessing a pharmacological treatment for depression in cancer patients were found using MEDLINE and PSYCINFO databases. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used to generate a random effects model forest plot, a funnel plot, classical fail-safe N, I2, and Kendall’s tau. Main Results: Ten studies, with an aggregate population was 1,167 patients, were used in this meta-analysis to generate a random effects variance model. The effect size was 0.42 +/- 0.09 (p < 0.01). I2 for aggregate data was 66.16 (p < 0.01). Kendall’s tau with continuity correction was 0.272 (P-value [2-tailed] = .244). The classic fail-safe N was 151 (p < 0.1). Three studies reported a significant increase in adverse effects between treatment and comparison group. Conclusion: Antidepressants were shown to have a moderate effect size when treating depression in advanced and terminal cancer patients. These medications were well tolerated. Antidepressant medications are beneficial as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for cancer patients diagnosed with depression.This item is part of the Pharmacy Student Research Projects collection, made available by the College of Pharmacy and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona. For more information about items in this collection, please contact Jennifer Martin, Librarian and Clinical Instructor, Pharmacy Practice and Science, jenmartin@email.arizona.edu