Journal of International Psychiatry

[Abstract]Objective: To explore the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with fluoxetine on psychological discomfort, immune capacity and serum cytokines in patients after thoracoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer. Methods: A total of 102 patients who underwent thoracoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer in our hospital from June 2020 to September 2022 were selected as research objects and divided into drug group and comprehensive group according to different treatment methods. Fifty-one patients in the drug group were treated with fluoxetine, while 51 patients in the comprehensive group were treated with CBT. Psychological discomfort, immune capacity and serum cytokines were compared between the two groups. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, the scores of Baker Anxiety Scale (BAI) and Baker Depression Scale (BDI) in both groups were lower than before treatment, and the comprehensive group was lower than drug group (P<0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, CD4+ level in both groups was higher than that before treatment, and that in the comprehensive group was higher than that in the drug group. The level of CD8+ was lower than before treatment, and the comprehensive group was lower than drug group (P<0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, the levels of interleukin1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in both groups were lower than before treatment, and the comprehensive group was lower than the drug group. The level of interleukin-10 (IL-10) was higher than that before treatment, and the comprehensive group was higher than that of drug group (P<0.05). Conclusion: CBT combined with fluoxetine can regulate serum cytokine levels, improve psychological discomfort, and enhance immune capacity of patients after thoracoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer.

[Key words]Cognitive behavioral therapy; Fluoxetine; Radical resection of esophageal carcinoma; State of psychological discomfort