Prognostic Implications of Depression and Inflammation in Patients With Metastatic Lung Cancer

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Lung cancer-related inflammation is associated with depression. Both elevated inflammation and depression are associated with worse survival. However, outcomes of patients with concomitant depression and elevated inflammation are not known. <b>Materials & methods:</b> Patients with metastatic lung cancer (n = 123) were evaluated for depression and inflammation. Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox proportional hazard models provided survival estimations. <b>Results:</b> Estimated survival was 515 days for the cohort and 323 days for patients with depression (hazard ratio: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.05-1.179), 356 days for patients with elevated inflammation (hazard ratio: 2.85, 95% CI: 1.856-4.388), and 307 days with both (χ² = 12.546; p < 0.001]). <b>Conclusion:</b> Depression and inflammation are independently associated with inferior survival. Survival worsened by inflammation is mediated by depression-a treatable risk factor.