Palliative & Supportive Care

Table of Contents - 2004 - Volume 2, Issue 02  


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

BRIAN J.  KELLY  B.MEd., Ph.D., FRANZCp., FACHPm. a1 c1 , DAN  PELUSI  B.A. (HONS), M.CLIn.PSYCh. a2 , PAUL C.  BURNETT  DIp.T., B.Ed.St., M.Ed.St., DIp.APp.PSYCh., Ph.D. a3 and FRANCIS T.  VARGHESE  B.Sc. (MED), M.B.B.S., FRANZCP a2
a1 Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Orange, Australia
a2 University of Queensland, Department of Psychiatry, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
a3 Centre of Research & Graduate Studies, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia

Article author query
kelly bj   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
pelusi d   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
burnett pc   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
varghese ft   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

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.

(Received March 10 2004)
(Accepted May 2 2004)


Key Words: Euthanasia; Physician-assisted suicide; Depression; Psychiatric diagnosis; Structured clinical interview.

Correspondence:
c1 Corresponding author: Professor Brian Kelly, Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health, c/o Bloomfield Hospital, Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia. E-mail: bjk2336@ozemail.com or brian.kelly@mwahs.nsw.gov.au

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