A prospective longitudinal evaluation of cognition and depression in postoperative patients with high-grade glioma following radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Aim of Study: The survival rate in high-grade glioma (HGG) patients receiving a combined regimen of radiotherapy (RT) and temozolomide after tumor resection was increased. However, cognitive deficits and depression after the treatments challenge the treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cognition and depression in postoperative patients with HGG following RT and chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Six-five eligible patients were included in the study. Cognition and depression were examined at baseline (after surgery before RT), every 3 months during follow-up using miniumental state examination and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), respectively. Results: Our results showed that cognition was not significantly affected after treatments (F = 1.19, P = 0.32). However, significant differences between baseline and follow-ups were found regarding SDS scores (F = 3.26, P =0.0.01). SDS score at the 3(rd) month was significantly higher than that at baseline (t = 3.16, P = 0.002). Conclusion: This prospective study showed that although cognition was not significantly affected, the treatment caused depression, particularly at the 3(rd) month. These data implicated that interventions should be designed to deal with depression in the 3(rd) month.