The effects of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications on malignant tumor patients with anxiety and depression comorbidity

Background and Objective: This study aimed to examine gender differences in the prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depression among patients with malignant tumors and to evaluate the impact of pharmacological intervention on anxiety and depressive symptoms within this population. Methods: A randomized trial was conducted involving 88 patients with cancer diagnosed with both anxiety and depression, assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Participants received mirtazapine (at a dose of 7.5 mg per day) and fluoxetine (at a dose of 20 mg per day) for a period of 6 weeks.The primary outcomes measured were the changes in anxiety and depression scores from baseline to endpoint. Results: Findings revealed a significantly higher prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depression in female patients with malignant tumors compared to males ( P < 0.05). Post-treatment, both genders showed substantial improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms ( P < 0.05), with a more pronounced effect observed among female patients. No significant difference was found in treatment responsiveness between female patients with lung cancer and breast cancer ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of mirtazapine and fluoxetine effectively reduced anxiety and depression in patients with cancer, particularly in females, who exhibited higher baseline prevalence but greater symptom improvement than male patients. Notably, these results suggest that targeted interventions may enhance treatment outcomes for anxiety and depression in female patients with cancer, with no differential effect based on cancer type (breast vs. lung).