Comparison of Immunologic Parameters and Depression Scores in Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory according to Stages in the Malignancy of the Digestive System

Cho, Chang Min; Kim, Dae Hyun; Lee, Young Doo; Lee, Seung Yup; Keum, Min Su; Tak, Won Young; Kweon, Young Oh; Kim, Sung Kook; Choi, Yong Hwan; Chung, Jun Mo; Jeon, Su Han; Yu, Wan Sik; Lee, Sung Yong; Kang, Byung Jo

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Many physicians have wondered whether there is a relationship between psychological factors, especially depression, and progression of cancer. We designed this study to evaluate whether the degree of depression causes alteration in immunity and affects progression of cancer.
METHODS
We enrolled 125 patients with malignancies of the digestive organ. We examined immunologic parameters (white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte subsets, immunoglobulin levels) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scores in each patient. The stage of cancer was determined by AJCC classification.
RESULTS
The counts of white blood cell and neutrophil were significantly increased in stage IV, as compared with stage I and II. The serum immunoglobulin level in each stage was not different. The counts of lymphocyte and T cell were significantly decreased in stage IV with depression score above 55, as compared with stage I and II with depression score below 55.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that the degree of depression is related with immunologic alterations, which may affect progression of cancer. Namely, depression may influence the alteration of immuologic parameters in advanced cancer.