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KMID : 0368820120510060387
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Journal of the Korean Neuropsychiatr Association
2012 Volume.51 No. 6 p.387 ~ p.394
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Clinical Characteristics and Use of Antidepressants among Cancer Patients Referred for Psychiatric Consultation : A Korean Multicenter Survey
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Park Jin-Seong
Ha Ju-Won
Lim Se-Won
Kim Tae-Suk
Ha Jee-Hyun
Paik Jong-Woo
Lee Byung-Chul
Choe Byeong-Moo
Lee Kang-Joon
Kim Sung-Wan
Yang Jong-Chul
Ko Young-Hoon
Oh Kang-Seob
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Abstract
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Objectives: Antidepressants are frequently used for treatment of psychological distress among cancer patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of psychiatric consultations and antidepressant use for cancer patients.
Methods: Participants in the study included cancer patients who had been referred for psychiatric consultation. A total of 488 patients were recruited from nine general hospitals in Korea. Questionnaires based on medical records, including antidepressants prescribed, were investigated by psychiatrists.
Results: The most common psychiatric diagnosis of subjects was depressive disorders (72.4%), followed by anxiety disorders (13.0%), and adjustment disorders (7.3%). Antidepressants were prescribed for 96.3% of subjects and escitalopram, mirtazapine, and paroxetine were prescribed frequently, in order. Anxiolytics and hypnotics were used for 58.2% of the subjects, for which lorazepam and alprozolam were preferred. During the study period, 226 (46.8%) subjects discontinued treatment and the most common cause was improvement of symptoms (123, 54.4%).
Conclusion: Our results showed a tendency of prescription of antidepressants and anxiolytics and common psychiatric problems in Korean cancer patients. We suppose that these data would be helpful to clinicians who manage psychiatric symptoms of cancer patients.
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KEYWORD
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Cancer, Antidepressant, Prescription pattern, Psychiatric consultation
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