Depression screening in patients with brain tumors: a review

Abstract

SUMMARY  Brain tumor (BT) is often a devastating disease associated with poor prognosis. Depression is a common complication in BT patients that often remains under-recognized and untreated. Implementation of reliable depression screening algorithms in routine neuro-oncology setting could potentially improve recognition of depression. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale–Depression subscale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 demonstrated adequate psychometric properties for depressive disorder screening in glioma patients. Patients screened positive for depression should be referred for detailed psychiatric assessment prior to initiating anti-depressive treatment. Further methodologically rigorous studies investigating psychometric properties of single-item and multiple-item depression scales are urgently warranted. Studies evaluating anti-depressive treatments’ efficacy and clinical value of depression biomarkers are important avenues for future research endeavors in BT patients.