Sarkar, S., & Schaefer, M. (2014). Antidepressant pretreatment for the prevention of interferon alfa-associated depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychosomatics, 55, 221–234.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Analysis showed that antidepressant treatment reduced overall incidence of depressive disorder (OR = 0.42, p < 0.001). Only one trial was done in which patients with a history of depression were excluded.
Prophylactic use of antidepressants was associated with reduced incidence of depression in patients receiving interferon alpha monotherapy.
Depression has been identified as an adverse effect of treatment with interferon alpha. This study showed that pre-emptive treatment with antidepressants can reduce the incidence of this effect. Nurses need to be aware of depression associated with interferon alpha treatment, and assess patients for depression, especially if they have a history of depressive symptoms. Long-term effects in patients with cancer are unknown, since there is limited evidence for this group of patients.