Abstract
BackgroundDepression Care for People with Lung Cancer is a complex intervention delivered by specially trained cancer nurses, under the supervision of a psychiatrist. It is given as a supplement to the usual care for depression, which patients receive from their general practitioner and cancer service. The third Symptom Management Research Trial in Oncology (SMaRT Oncology-3 Trial) will test its efficacy when compared to usual care alone.DesignA two arm parallel group multi-centre randomised controlled trial. 200 patients will be recruited through established systematic Symptom Monitoring Services, which screen patients for depression. Patients will have: a diagnosis of lung cancer; an estimated life expectancy of three months or more and a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. Patients will be randomised to usual care or usual care plus Depression Care for People with Lung Cancer. Randomisation will be carried out by telephoning a secure computerised central randomisation system or by using a secure web interface. The primary outcome measure is average depression severity. This will be assessed using scores on the 20-item Symptom Hopkins Checklist (SCL-20D), collected every four weeks over 32 weeks. Secondary outcomes include severity of anxiety, pain and fatigue; self-rated improvement of depression; quality of life and satisfaction with depression care.Trial RegistrationCurrent controlled trials ISRCTN75905964
Highlights
Depression Care for People with Lung Cancer is a complex intervention delivered by specially trained cancer nurses, under the supervision of a psychiatrist
Depression is a major problem in patients with lung cancer
We have developed a complex intervention (Depression Care for People with Cancer) for depression in cancer patients with good prognosis
Summary
Depression is a major problem in patients with lung cancer. A large survey of cancer patients found that those with lung cancer had the highest rate of psychological distress [1]. The SMaRT Oncology-1 Trial found that patients who received the intervention had significantly better outcomes than those who received usual care alone at three months and that this difference was sustained at six and twelve months [4]. Whilst these results are encouraging, they cannot be generalised to patients with lung cancer, who have a relatively limited life expectancy and different needs. Trial hypotheses Supplementing usual care with Depression Care for People with Lung Cancer will improve the following over eight months (32 weeks):.
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