Psychosocial Morbidity (psychosocial + morbidity)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Psychological distress and concerns of elderly patients treated with palliative radiotherapy for lung cancer

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 8 2007
N. J. Turner
Abstract We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of 83 elderly patients (aged 75 and above) being treated with palliative radiotherapy for lung cancer, with a comparison group of 49 younger patients (aged 65 and under). Psychological distress and concerns were measured before and after treatment using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a Concerns Checklist. Psychosocial morbidity was common, however, prevalence was similar in both age groups. There was a trend towards worsening of both anxiety and depression scores after treatment, but this did not reach statistical significance. Younger patients reported more concerns than the older group (median 12 vs 10) but this too was not statistically significant. Concerns about the illness and symptoms were more likely to have been addressed by the care team than were concerns about psychosocial issues such as the family and the future. People of all ages have similar concerns and levels of anxiety and depression whilst receiving palliative radiotherapy for lung cancer. Further research is needed to explore the use of screening tools, like those used in this study, to identify patients' difficulties and target interventions to improve their quality of life. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Psychosocial Well-Being and Quality of Life Among Women Newly Diagnosed With Genital Herpes

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 3 2009
Hayley Mark
ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the psychosocial well-being and quality of life among women with a new genital herpes simplex virus diagnosis. Design: Data were collected by a cross-sectional survey. Participants: Eighty-three women diagnosed with genital herpes simplex virus by culture, visual exam and/or a description of symptoms within the last 3 months were recruited from primary health care clinics by their provider. Measures: Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Recurrent Genital Herpes Quality of Life scale. Results: Thirty-four percent of the women qualified as "clinical cases" for depression, and 64% were designated as "anxiety cases" based on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scoring methods. A majority of participants reported feeling ashamed about having herpes and worried about having an outbreak or giving herpes to someone else. Conclusions: Despite substantial progress toward understanding genital herpes simplex virus epidemiology and transmission, a diagnosis of genital herpes continues to cause considerable psychosocial morbidity and to impact quality of life. There is a dearth of good evidence on how best to intervene to minimize the psychological impact of a diagnosis. Experts recommend addressing both the medical and psychological aspects of infection by providing antiviral therapy, written material, and resources. [source]


Dimensions of quality of life and psychosocial variables most salient to colorectal cancer patients

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
Jeff Dunn
Abstract Colorectal cancer is one of the most common invasive cancers, and is responsible for considerable physical and psychosocial morbidity. Understanding the quality of life experienced by colorectal cancer patients is essential for evaluating the full impact of the disease on individuals, their families and their communities. Patient perspective is essential in establishing a proper understanding of the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients. Despite this, few studies have employed a qualitative methodology to explore quality of life issues for colorectal cancer patients. A review of the literature identified only seven qualitative studies pertaining to quality of life issues for colorectal cancer patients, a surprising finding given the prevalence of this cancer. Accordingly, this study sought to build on the findings of previous qualitative research by providing descriptive data on the quality of life and psychosocial variables most salient to colorectal cancer patients. Six core themes emerged from interview and focus group data: Satisfaction with diagnosis and treatment; support (including information provision); quality of life; benefits of diagnosis; making sense of the cancer experience; and coping strategies. The information derived from this study will help inform the development of supportive care services to address the needs of the increasing number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Mania profile in a community sample of prepubertal children in Turkey

BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 4 2008
Rasim Somer Diler
Background:, Mania in youth is increasingly recognized and accompanied by substantial psychiatric and psychosocial morbidity. There are no data on prepubertals in the general population and we aimed to search for mania symptoms and its clinical correlations in a community sample of prepubertal Turkish children. Methods:, Among all children (n = 56,335) aged 7,11 in Adana, Turkey, 2,468 children (48% girls) were randomly included. Parents completed Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 4,18 and Parent-Young Mania Rating Scale (P-YMRS). Cut-off scores of 17 and 27 on total P-YMRS were defined as efficient (probable-mania group) and specific (mania group), respectively, for bipolar profile. We searched for clinical correlations and used logistic regression to show how well each CBCL subscale predicted the presence of mania and probable-mania, after adjusting for any demographic differences. Results:, Parent-Young Mania Rating Scale scores were ,17 but <27 (probable-mania) in 155 (6.3%) children and ,27 (mania) in 32 (1.3%) children. Elevated mood, increased activity levels, and poor insight were the most frequent manic symptoms in our sample. Children with probable-mania and mania had higher scores on all CBCL subscales and the CBCL-Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (CBCL-PBD) profile (sum of attention, aggression, and anxiety/depression subscales). Logistic regression analysis revealed only thought problems on CBCL that predicted probable-mania and mania. Conclusion:, Our study shows that mania profile is common in the community sample of Turkish prepubertal children and does not support the thought that mania is rare outside the US. We need further population-based studies that will use diagnostic interviews and multiple informants. [source]