Association of Depressive Syndrome and Early Deaths Among Patients After Stem-Cell Transplantation for Malignant Diseases

Abstract

Depressive syndrome after HSCT is associated with decreased survival, at least from 6 to 12 months after transplantation. Persistence of this association after controlling for possible confounding factors suggests that depression may be more than simply a marker for concurrent ill health. This study raises an interesting hypothesis as to whether psychological or pharmacologic intervention for depression after HSCT can improve survival and/or quality of life.