PORTLAND, Ore. -- A study conducted by researches at Oregon Health and Science University found that one out of four people who seek physician assisted suicide may suffer from depression.

KGW

The study is based on an evaluation of 58 Oregonians who sought physician assisted suicide, most of whom were diagnosed with terminal cancer or Lou Gehrig's disease.

"Based on the circumstances these patients are facing, a certain amount of depression would not be unexpected. In fact, the finding that three-quarters of requesting patients have no depression is somewhat surprising," said Linda Ganzini, M.D. M.P.H., the study's lead author.

Researchers say the study suggests physicians should consider mental health issues when deciding whether to assist with suicide.

The study is posted in the online issue of the British Medical Journal.