Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

22 July 2014 : Original article  

Effects of Sertraline on Executive Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Cancer

Xu-Juan LiAB, Zhi-Yuan DaiBC, Bei-Ying ZhuDE, Jia-Ping ZhenCD, Wen-Fu YangEF, De-Qiang LiFG

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.890575

Med Sci Monit 2014; 20:1267-1273

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of the antidepressant sertraline on executive function and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We assigned 122 patients with stage III or IV cancer to the depressed group (DG, n=86) or the non-depressed group (NG, n=36). All subjects were given supportive treatment and patients in the DG received additional antidepressant treatment.

RESULTS: There were significant differences in total scores of the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), performance in the Wisconsin card sorting test, and SF-36 domains. After antidepressant treatment, the level of depression and anxiety decreased significantly in the DG, but was still significantly higher than in the NG. Low executive function was enhanced in the DG, but a worsening executive function was found in total errors in the NG (–2.3±3.8) (P<0.05). The dimensions of SF-36 in physical functioning (PF), role limitations-physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role limitations-emotional (RE), and mental health (MH) were decreased significantly at baseline in the DG compared to the NG (P<0.01). After 12-week Sertraline treatment, improvement in the DG in factors VT, SF, RE, and MH were more powerful than in the NG (P<0.05). HAMA, HAMD, and VAS scores and tumor stage were significantly correlated to any one dimension of quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS: Depression is an important cause of decreased quality of life and executive function in patients with advanced cancer. The antidepressant sertraline can improve the executive function and quality of life, which may be helpful in the clinical practice of cancer treatment.

Keywords: Depression - etiology, Anxiety - diagnosis, Executive Function - drug effects, Neoplasms - psychology, Prospective Studies, Quality of Life - psychology, Regression Analysis, Sertraline - therapeutic use

Add Comment 0 Comments

Editorial

01 February 2025 : Editorial  

Editorial: Current Approaches to Screening for Lung Cancer in Smokers and Non-Smokers

Dinah V. Parums

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.948255

Med Sci Monit 2025; 31:e948255

0:00

In Press

Clinical Research  

Pre- and Post-Surgical MRI Analysis of Levator Ani in Pelvic Organ Prolapse Patients: A Single-Center Study

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945993  

Clinical Research  

Comparative Impact of Kinesio Taping and Post-Isometric Muscle Relaxation on Pain and Myofascial Mechanics ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945376  

Clinical Research  

Surgical Efficacy in Varicocele Ligation with Ephedrine-Assisted Blood Pressure Control

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.946234  

Clinical Research  

Retrospective Study to Compare Injury Patterns and Associations in 170 Patients Following Electric Scooter ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.947155  

Most Viewed Current Articles

17 Jan 2024 : Review article   6,968,277

Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron Variant

DOI :10.12659/MSM.942799

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799

0:00

16 May 2023 : Clinical Research   701,791

Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387

0:00

01 Mar 2024 : Editorial   25,442

Editorial: First Regulatory Approvals for CRISPR-Cas9 Therapeutic Gene Editing for Sickle Cell Disease and ...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.944204

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944204

0:00

28 Jan 2024 : Review article   20,020

A Review of IgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein Purpura) Past, Present, and Future

DOI :10.12659/MSM.943912

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e943912

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750