Liason psychiatry (comprehensive psychiatric intervention) in head and neck cancer patient

Abstract

A high prevalence of depressive disorder, between 15% and 50%, has been reported in head and neck cancer patients, although it is difficult to distinguish physical symptoms such as general fatigue, insomnia, and loss of appetite, which are common among cancer patients, from the psychiatric symptoms seen in depressive patients. Furthermore, co-occurrence of depression has been shown to be one of the risk factors of poor prognosis in cancer patients, partly because depressed patients are less likely to adhere to their medication regimen and modify their lifestyle appropriately. The efficacy of comprehensive psychiatric interventions ("liaison psychiatry"), including pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, has been examined for head and neck cancer patients with co-occurrence of depression. Randomized controlled trials of psychiatric interventions for depression in head and neck cancer patients are needed to investigate the impact of such interventions on depression, quality of life, and mortality.