Comparison of Antidepressants Tolerability in Cancer Patients Referred for Psychiatric Consultation

정신건강의학과 자문 의뢰된 암 환자의 항우울제 내약성 비교 연구

Objectives : Many patients diagnosed with cancer suffer from various psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and insomnia as well as cancer itself. Patients with cancer are more vulnerable to possible adverse events of psychotropic medications. Although antidepressants are widely used among cancer patients, there is little information about tolerability of antidepressants. This study was conducted to compare tolerability of antidepressants in cancer patients referred for psychiatric consultation. Methods : The participants were cancer patients who had been referred to psychiatrist for their psychiatric symptoms. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients diagnosed with cancer from 9 general hospitals in Korea. The discontinuation rate for a 6 months period after treatment initiation for three antidepressants(Escitalopram, Mirtazapine, Paroxetine) were compared. Results : Antidepressants were prescribed for 96.3% of subjects and Escitalopram 150(47.2%), Mirtazapine 92(28.9%) and Paroxetine 76(23.9%) were prescribed frequently in order There were no significant differences in discontinuation rates among the three antidepressants during the 6 month period after initiation of pharmacotherapy. But there was a difference in discontinuation rates between inpatients versus outpatients(p<0.0001). Conclusions : In a naturalistic setting for the antidepressant treatment for cancer patients, it seems that there are no differences in discontinuation rates among these three antidepressants. It is therefore essential that such interactions are carefully considered when treating patients of antidepressants who already have cancer.

연구목적 암환자들은 다양한 정신건강의학과적 증상을 겪으며 약물 부작용에 취약하다. 본 연구는 정신건강의학과 자문 의뢰된 암환자에서 항우울제의 내약성을 비교하고자 한다. 방 법 9개 대학병원 및 종합병원 정신건강의학과에 자문 의뢰된 암 환자들을 후향적으로 검토하여 자료를 분석하였다. 가장 빈번하게 처방된 세가지 항우울제(Escitalopram, Mirtazapine, Paroxetine)의 6개월 동안 치료 중단율을 비교하였다. 결 과 처방 빈도는 Escitalopram 150(47.2%), Mirtazapine 92(28.9%), Paroxetine 76(23.9%) 순서로 항우울제 투여 중단 비율은 세군 간 유의한 차이가 없었다. 입원 환자에 비해 외래 환자에서 유의하게 약물 중단 위험도가 높았다(p<0.0001). 결 론 임상 현장에서 암환자의 항우울제 치료 중단율은 약물 종류에 따라 차이가 없었다. 치료 순응도 향상을 위하여 암환자의 특성을 고려한 개별 접근이 필요할 것이다.