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Background There are detailed reviews about different recruitment strategies, but not with regard to differences between recruitment of hospital-based versus office-based physicians. Within this study, the two different recruitment schemes are compared. Advantages and disadvantages of different ways of recruitment in registry-based studies are discussed. Methods In a cross-sectional cancer-registry-based study, long-term melanoma patients were contacted by dermatologists rather than directly by the registry on the basis of the legal situation. Logistic regression models and generalized estimating equations were used to assess effects of various patient and physician characteristics on participation and data quality. Especially differences between hospital-based versus office-based dermatologists are evaluated. Results Seventy two out of 112 contacted dermatologists took part in the study (64.3%). The cooperation proportion was 52.2% (689 participants/1320 contacted patients). Participants and non-participants differed regarding age and sex, but not regarding other social demographic factors and cancer stage. We did not observe a difference in patient participation between hospital-based versus office-based dermatologists (OR 1.08 [CI 0.84–1.39]; p = 0.57). However, medical data provided by the cancer registry were better for participants registered and recruited by hospitals. Conclusions In cohort studies with epidemiological cancer registries, recruitment via physicians has potential disadvantages and is more complex. If this indirect way of contact is mandatory, we recommend recruitment procedures including hospital-based rather than office-based physicians. However, physician characteristics were not associated with outcome.

Fatigue has found increasing attention as a debilitating and lasting condition of cancer patients. However, it has remained unclear to what degree long-term survivors of malignant melanoma suffer from fatigue. Therefore, this study aimed to determine fatigue and its link with quality of life, aftercare behavior, and mental and physical symptoms among melanoma survivors. A register-based sample of 684 long-term survivors an average of 8.4 (SD = 1.72; range 5.67–12.17) years after diagnosis was compared to 2049 participants from a representative survey by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. In a hierarchical linear regression, statistical predictors for fatigue were ascertained. Overall fatigue was not increased in melanoma survivors except for younger melanoma survivors under 40 years. As in the general population, fatigue increased with age, and it was higher in women compared to men. Fatigue was associated with decreased quality of life, reduced functioning, and increased physical and mental symptoms. Substantial predictors (30% explained variance) were higher age, additional chronic illness, self-blame, detrimental interactions and lack of social support, and also fear of recurrence. There was neither an effect of medical parameters (clinical stage, time since diagnosis) nor of participation in follow-up care. Fatigue needs to be taken seriously in the aftercare of melanoma survivors as it is associated with multiple functional and quality of life impairments and heightened distress. Reduction of fatigue in melanoma patients should address younger survivors (under 40 years) and older survivors (over 60 years) with additional chronic illness and focus on illness coping and social support.

Die mit einer Krebserkrankung verbundenen seelischen Belastungen konnen zu komorbiden psychischen Beeintrachtigungen – insbesondere zu depressiven Storungen – fuhren. Obwohl psychodynamische Verfahren zu den haufigsten Therapieansatzen bei der psychotherapeutischen Versorgung Krebskranker zahlen, fehlen in diesem Bereich Studien, die den Kriterien evidenzbasierter Psychotherapieforschung genugen. Vor allem mangelt es an randomisierten kontrollierten Studien. Ferner existiert fur die Psychotherapie depressiver Krebskranker noch kein psychodynamisch orientiertes Behandlungsmanual. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird das Manual einer psychodynamischen Kurzzeittherapie (20 Stunden) der Depression bei Krebskranken vorgestellt. Es handelt sich um eine psychoanalytisch-orientierte Fokaltherapie auf Grundlage von Luborskys supportiv-expressiver Therapie (SET). Das vorgestellte SET-Behandlungsmanual der Depression bei Krebskranken ist eine Adaptation des allgemeinen SET-Manuals und des SET-Manuals fur Depressionen. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit werden die allgemeinen Prinzipien der SET dargestellt. Im zweiten Teil wird das auf die Behandlung depressiver Krebskranker zugeschnittene Manual beschrieben, das gegenwartig in einer grosen multizentrischen randomisierten kontrollierten Studie eingesetzt wird, in der psychodynamische Kurzzeittherapie mit „treatment as usual“ (TAU) verglichen wird.

Patients who have survived malignant melanoma for more than five years may lack the opportunity to talk about their burden. As a consequence their psychosocial care needs remain undetected and available supportive interventions may not be utilised. Therefore, the psychosocial burden of this patient group needs to be assessed using specific screening instruments. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychosocial burden of long-term melanoma survivors, their psychosocial care needs and the determinants of these needs. We wanted to find out if the use of professional support corresponds to the care needs defined by experts. Using the cancer registry of Rhineland-Palatinate, melanoma patients diagnosed at least 5 years before the survey were contacted by physicians. N = 689 former patients completed the Hornheide Questionnaire (short form HQ-S) to identify psychosocial support need (scale cut off ≥ 16 or item-based cut-off score) and the potential psychosocial determinants of these needs. Additionally, they were asked about their utilisation of the professional support system. More than one third (36%) of them was in need for professional psychosocial support. The highest burden scores concerned worry about tumour progression. Younger age (< 50), higher general fatigue, higher symptom burden, lower general health, negative social interactions and unfulfilled information needs were significant predictors of the need for psychosocial intervention. Related to the percentage of survivors identified as ‘in need’, the professional support system was underused. Further studies should investigate whether using the HQ-S to routinely identify burdened melanoma patients could lead to better fulfilment of their intervention needs, ultimately enhancing health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND There is a lack of trials of psychodynamic treatments of depression in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this trial was to determine the efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) in non-metastatic breast cancer patients diagnosed with depression, one of the most frequent mental comorbidities of breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a multicenter prospective trial, 157 breast cancer patients with comorbid depression were randomized to either individual STPP (intervention group, N=78) or 'treatment as usual' (control group, TAU, N=79). As our primary outcome measure, we hypothesized a higher rate of remission defined as no diagnosis of depression (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV) and reduction in depression score by at least 2 points (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS-D) in STPP versus TAU at treatment termination. Secondary outcomes mainly refer to quality of life (QoL). RESULTS In the intention to treat (ITT) analysis, 44% of the STPP group achieved highly significantly more remission than TAU (23%). STPP treatment (OR=7.64; P

Background There is a lack of psychotherapeutic trials of treatments of comorbid depression in cancer patients. Our study determines the efficacy of a manualized short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and predictors of outcome by personality and quality of the therapeutic relationship. Methods/design Eligible breast cancer patients with comorbid depression are assigned to short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (up to 20 + 5 sessions) or to treatment as usual (augmented by recommendation for counseling center and physician information). We plan to recruit a total of 180 patients (90 per arm) in two centers. Assessments are conducted pretreatment, after 6 (treatment termination) and 12 months (follow-up). The primary outcome measures are reduction of the depression score in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and remission of depression as assessed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Disorders by independent, blinded assessors at treatment termination. Secondary outcomes refer to quality of life. Discussion We investigate the efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in acute care and we aim to identify predictors for acceptance and success of treatment. Trial registration ISRCTN96793588

Aim The purpose of the study was to determine anxiety and depression, quality of life, and their determinants in long-term survivors of malignant melanoma. Methods In a state cancer registry a cohort of survivors of malignant melanoma was contacted via the physician registered. Of 1302 contactable patients, 689 (52.2%) completed a questionnaire including the Patient Health Questionnaire with generalized anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) and the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ 30). Based on multiple regression analysis, predictors of quality of life and distress were identified. Comparison data were assessed in two waves of representative face-to-face household surveys of the adult German population. Results An average of 8.4 (5.7 to 12.2) years after diagnosis, distress was higher in women compared to men and in middle adulthood (vs. older patients). Symptoms were higher in women than in men, and there was a decline of functioning and increase of symptoms across the age range of both genders. Compared to the general population, there were slightly increased depression and anxiety (only women), but no impaired global quality of life. Yet, survivors evidenced functional decline and more physical symptoms. Distress and reduced quality of life were consistently predicted by lack of social support, fear of recurrence, pessimism and self-blame. Distress was increased by a family history of melanoma, and additional mental and somatic diseases. Conclusion Overall, long-term survivors have adjusted well achieving a global quality of life comparable to the general population. Yet, compromised functional dimensions, physical symptoms and distress indicate the need for integrating psychooncological screening into oncological follow-up, which might be guided by predictors such as family history or social support. Further prospective study is needed to determine the course of adaptation to the disease and corroborate the risk factors identified.

Results: 34 people made up the data set. 25/34 (74%) answered the questionnaire. 11/25(44%) had suicidal thoughts in the previous 72 hours. 3/34 (9%) had deliberately self-harmed in the previous 72 hours. 29/34 (85%) stated that the needle exchange would be their first contact point in health care if they had concerns over theirmental health. Qualitative data revealed drug workers are providing mental health support to service users, but haven’t received formal training. Discussion: This is a small study limited by questionnaire design and sample size. However, it does highlight some important points. Namely, drug users remain at higher risk of suicide ideation and selfharm than general population. NEs are a crucial point of contact yet workers at these exchanges are not suitably trained to provide support. Conclusion: Further attention should be given to NEs as points of contact for people at risk.