Background: Major depression is a well-documented risk factor for suicide in cancer patients as well as in the general population. However, there are no data explaining why some cancer patients suffering from major depression have suicidal ideation whereas others with the same disorder do not.
Methods: We investigated the background differences between cancer patients suffering from major depression with and without suicidal ideation by analyzing consultation data on patients referred to the Psychiatry Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan.
Results: Univariate analysis showed that poor performance status, advanced stage and severe depression were the risk factors for suicidal ideation in these depressive cancer patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that older age and severe depression are the final significant risk factors.
Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest that severe major depression may be an important indicator of suicidal ideation among cancer patients, that patients' age should be given greater attention and that closer monitoring and more intensive intervention against major depression may be needed.