The Quality of Life of Patients with Suspected Lung Cancer before and after Bronchoscopy and the Effect of Mirtazapine on the Depressive Status

OBJECTIVE: Patients with suspected lung cancer often experience adverse side effects such as anxiety, depression, and a decreased appetite. These side effects influence the patients' quality of life and their ability to make decisions concerning appropriate treatment. This study examined the psychological status and quality of life of patients with suspected lung cancer before and after bronchoscopy treatment and evaluated the effect of mirtazapine prescribed to patients with depression. METHODS: To assess patient characteristics (e.g. age, gender, and medical history), a questionnaire including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Japanese version and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-L was administered. PATIENTS: Forty-three patients admitted for bronchoscopy treatment between May 2017 and April 2018 were included. RESULTS: The results showed that patients with depression reported a worse quality of life than those without depression. Compared with no medication, the administration of mirtazapine alleviated depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the patients' depressive status was affected by their physical symptoms, including coughing, tightness of chest, and dyspnea. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the importance of detecting depression in the early stages of a cancer diagnosis and have significant implications concerning pharmacological intervention in patients with cancer displaying signs of depression.