Comparison of the Effect of Escitalopram and Placebo on Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Breast Cancer and Mastectomy

This study compared the effect of escitalopram on depression and quality of life in patients with breast cancer and mastectomy with placebo. In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial study, 72 patients were enrolled. After considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 64 eligible people, from women aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with breast cancer with modified radical mastectomy were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (32 subjects) and control (32 people). In the escitalopram group, the drug started at a dose of 10 mg daily, and after one week, reached 20 mg daily, and continued until the 12 weeks. The evaluation of patients was done using Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire at weeks 0, 2, 8, and 12. Findings: In assessing the quality of life, the subscales of psychological health, social relations, environmental health, and general health in the assessment of weeks 2, 8, and 12 were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, in intra-group analysis in intervention group, the difference between the mean values of the subscales of physical health, psychological health, social relations, environmental health, and general health was reported to be statistically significant (P < 0.01). The onset of escitalopram with a daily dose of 10 mg and a gradual increase of it to 20 mg daily in patients with breast cancer and without diabetes mellitus, and with mastectomy, may be effective in controlling and preventing depression symptoms, and improving quality of life.