Effectiveness of escitalopram in the reduction of pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with breast cancer: A randomized single-blind controlled trial

Pain, anxiety, and depression are common but often neglected problems in patients with cancer.

Considering the importance and impact of anxiety and depression as common psychiatric symptoms in people with cancer, the present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of escitalopram in the reduction of pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with breast cancer.

This single-blind controlled trial was conducted on 32 patients diagnosed with breast cancer who were referred for modified radical mastectomy (2018-2019). The intervention group received daily oral capsules containing 10 milligrams of escitalopram for four weeks, while the control group received placebo capsules containing starch on a daily basis. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Visual Analogue Scale were administered to the patients at the commencement of the study and four weeks after the intervention. In addition, at baseline examination, personality factors were assessed by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 questionnaire.

Based on the results, the scores of HADS anxiety, total HADS, and pain reduced after the intervention in the case group; however, the HADS depression score demonstrated a slight increase. A significant difference was observed between the case and control groups for HADS anxiety score after the intervention (P=0.01). The correlation of personality characteristics with HADS anxiety and depression subscales pointed out a significant negative correlation between the HADS depression score and conscientiousness (r=-0.40; P<0.05).

Due to minor side effects of escitalopram, this drug is suggested to be used for the reduction of anxiety symptoms and pain intensity in patients with breast cancer.