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Body image, sexual function and depression in Korean patients with breast cancer: modification by 5-HTT polymorphism

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Abstract

Background

Nearly 50% of women with breast cancer show depressive symptoms after diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study was to clarify how psychosocial factors (body image, sexuality, and social relationships) and genetic factors (functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter-linked promoter region) influence depression.

Methods

The participants were categorized by DSM-IV diagnoses; scored according to their depressive symptoms, body image and social and sexual function (BIRS), self-esteem, and quality of life; and genotyped by functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter promoter.

Results

Patients with depressive symptoms showed low self-esteem, poor body image, relationship problems, and low quality of life. Genotype frequencies did not differ between two groups categorized by the presence or absence of depressive symptoms. However, the patients with the short allele of the 5-HTTLPR had significantly higher HAM-D scores (F = 7.59, p = 0.047).

Conclusion

The results suggest that psychosocial factors related to breast cancer treatment such as body image, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationship influence the development of depressive symptoms. The 5-HTTLPR may be associated with the severity of depressive symptoms rather than susceptibility to the development of depressive symptoms.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a faculty research grant of from the Yonsei University College of Medicine (No. 6-2008-0139).

Financial disclosure/Conflict of interest

We have no financial disclosures and conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Kyung Ran Kim, Eun Lee, Se Joo Kim & Kee Namkoong

  2. Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Kyung Ran Kim, Eun Lee, Se Joo Kim & Kee Namkoong

  3. Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Hyun Cheol Chung

  4. 250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea

    Kee Namkoong

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  1. Kyung Ran Kim
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  2. Hyun Cheol Chung
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  4. Se Joo Kim
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Correspondence to Kee Namkoong.

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Kim, K.R., Chung, H.C., Lee, E. et al. Body image, sexual function and depression in Korean patients with breast cancer: modification by 5-HTT polymorphism. Support Care Cancer 20, 2177–2182 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1329-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1329-z

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