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The prevalence of psychiatric disorder and the wish to hasten death among terminally ill cancer patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2005

BRIAN J. KELLY ,
DAN PELUSI ,
PAUL C. BURNETT  and
FRANCIS T. VARGHESE
BRIAN J. KELLY
Affiliation:
Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Orange, Australia
DAN PELUSI
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Department of Psychiatry, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
PAUL C. BURNETT
Affiliation:
Centre of Research & Graduate Studies, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia
FRANCIS T. VARGHESE
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Department of Psychiatry, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
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Abstract

Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of psychiatric disorder among a group of terminally ill cancer patients with or without a wish to hasten death (WTHD).

Methods: Consecutive patient referrals to a hospice inpatient unit, home palliative care service, and hospital palliative care-consulting service were recruited. A group of these patients (n = 56) consented to participate in a structured clinical interview (SCID) to identify the presence of psychiatric diagnoses. Patients were categorised into those with or without a wish to hasten death.

Results: Current major depressive episode and adjustment disorder were the most prevalent disorders in this group of patients. Patients with a high WTHD were significantly more likely to have a current major depressive episode compared to patients with no WTHD. Patients with a high WTHD were also significantly more likely to have a past major depressive episode compared to patients with no WTHD.

Significance of results: These results support the view that terminally ill patients with a high WTHD are significantly more likely to be suffering from a depressive disorder as assessed by a structured clinical interview. This has important clinical implications for those caring for dying patients who may make a request to hasten death.

Keywords

EuthanasiaPhysician-assisted suicideDepressionPsychiatric diagnosisStructured clinical interview
Type
Research Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , June 2004 , pp. 163 - 169
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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