scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on a cohort of patients treated with clozapine

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Y. Fahy ◽  
B Dineen ◽  
C McDonald ◽  
B Hallahan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Beck Anxiety Inventory ◽  
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives: To examine the psychological and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions on a cohort of patients with severe and enduring mental illness treated with clozapine. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 63 individuals attending a clozapine clinic within the Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services to determine the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on anxiety and depressive symptoms, social and occupational functioning and quality of life, utilising Likert Scale data. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were additionally utilised to measure anxiety symptoms cross-sectionally. Results: Anxiety symptoms were low with a median Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score of 4.0 and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) score of 4.0. Likert scale measurements recorded only a modest adverse impact of COVID-19 restrictions on anxiety and depressive symptoms, quality of life and occupational and social functioning. Free-text comments from patients (n=55), were grouped into five themes (neutral impact (n=22), negative psychological impact (n=13), negative social impact (n=11), positive psychological impact (n=5), and media coverage inducing anxiety (n=4)). Conclusions: Three months into the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, the impact on individuals with treatment resistant psychotic disorders attending a clozapine clinic has been modest, with preliminary evidence demonstrating minimal increases in subjective symptoms of anxiety and reduced social functioning. Reduced social engagements and supports attainable both within the community and from mental health services was noted by some participants.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and quality of life: Is there any effect? A cross-sectional study of the MENA region

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0249107
Author(s):  
Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri ◽  
Mo’ath F. Bataineh ◽  
Maysm N. Mohamad ◽  
Abir Ajab ◽  
Amina Al Marzouqi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Support ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis that has changed the life of millions globally. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the pandemic on mental health and quality of life among the general population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. A total of 6142 adults from eighteen countries within the MENA region completed an online questionnaire between May and June 2020. Psychological impact was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the social and family support impact was assessed with questions from the Perceived Support Scale (PSS). The IES-R mean score was 29.3 (SD = 14.8), corresponding to mild stressful impact with 30.9% reporting severe psychological impact. Most participants (45%–62%) felt horrified, apprehensive, or helpless due to COVID-19. Furthermore, over 40% reported increased stress from work and financial matters. Higher IES-R scores were found among females, participants aged 26–35 years, those with lower educational level, and participants residing in the North Africa region (p<0.005). About 42% reported receiving increased support from family members, 40.5% were paying more attention to their mental health, and over 40% reported spending more time resting since the pandemic started. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mild psychological impact while it also encouraged some positive impact on family support and mental health awareness among adults in the MENA region. Clinical interventions targeted towards vulnerable groups such as females and younger adults are needed.

scholarly journals The impact of metabolic syndrome on mental health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 2063-2072
Author(s):  
Victoria M. Limon ◽  
Miryoung Lee ◽  
Brandon Gonzalez ◽  
Audrey C. Choh ◽  
Stefan A. Czerwinski
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Factors associated with mental health and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Magalhães Vitorino ◽  
Gerson Hiroshi Yoshinari Júnior ◽  
Gabriela Gonzaga ◽  
Isabela Faria Dias ◽  
João Pedro Lambert Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Religious Coping ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Impact

Background Although mental distress and quality of life (QoL) impairments because of the pandemic have increased worldwide, the way that each community has been affected has varied. Aims This study evaluated the impact of social distancing imposed by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on Brazilians’ mental health and QoL. Method In this cross-sectional community-based online survey, data from 1156 community-dwelling adults were gathered between 11 May and 3 June 2020. We examined independent correlates of depression, anxiety and QoL, including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, optimism/pessimism and spiritual/religious coping. Dependent variables were assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms, the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale for anxiety symptoms, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF for QoL. Correlates of depressive and anxiety disorder were estimated using logistic regression. Results There were high levels of depressive symptoms (41.9%) and anxiety symptoms (29.0%) in participants. Negative spiritual/religious coping was positively correlated with depressive disorder (odds ratio (OR) = 2.14 95% CI 1.63–2.80; P < 0.001) and with anxiety disorder (OR = 2.46 95% CI 1.90–3.18; P < 0.001), and associated with worse social and environmental QoL (P < 0.001). Healthcare professionals were less likely to have depressive symptoms (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.93; P < 0.001). Participants with friend/family with COVID-19 scored lower on psychological and environmental QoL (P < 0.05). Participants with a longer duration of social isolation were less likely to experience anxiety disorder (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–0.99; P = 0.004). Conclusions We found high levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms and low levels of QoL in Brazil, which has become a pandemic epicentre. Several characteristics were associated with negative mental health symptoms in this study. This information may contribute to local health policies in dealing with the mental health consequences of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Impact of moderate-to-severe psoriasis on quality of life in China: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Zhong ◽  
Huan Yang ◽  
Zhuxin Mao ◽  
Xiaoyun Chai ◽  
Shunping Li
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Severe Psoriasis ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Psoriasis is a serious health problem. Since limited research has investigated the impact of psoriasis on the quality of life of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, this study aimed to explore this issue. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with 22 psoriasis patients from two cities in Shandong province of eastern China participating in one-to-one semi-structured in-depth interviews. Results Thematic analysis generated five major themes: (1) Symptoms, symptoms management and pain; (2) Functioning and activities of daily living (ADLs); (3) Psychological impact; (4) Social impact; (5) Employment and finances. Conclusion Our study detailed the effects of psoriasis on patients’ symptoms, symptoms management and pain, functioning and activities of daily living (ADLs), psychological impact, social impact, employment and finances. These data can provide a reference for studying the quality of life in patients with psoriasis.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Mental Well-Being of Norwegian Adolescents During the First Wave—Socioeconomic Position and Gender Differences

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnhild Myhr ◽  
Linn Renée Naper ◽  
Indira Samarawickrema ◽  
Renate K. Vesterbekkmo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Socioeconomic Groups ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

Background: The lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has been called a crisis in mental health, and adolescents may have been among the most affected. Comparing the first period of societal lockdown in spring 2020 to periods going back to 2014 using a rich cross-sectional dataset based on repeated surveys, we explore the potential changes in self-reported mental well-being across sociodemographic groups among Norway's adolescents.Methods: Norway closed schools and implemented strict restrictions in March 2020; an electronic questionnaire survey was distributed to lower secondary school students in Trøndelag county (N = 2,443) in May 2020. Results were compared with similar surveys conducted annually in the same county dating back to 2014. Logistic regression models were applied to investigate potential changes in depressive symptoms, loneliness, and quality of life and life satisfaction, and to detect possible differences in the impact of lockdown between the genders and socioeconomic groups.Results: The prevalence of boys and girls reporting high quality of life (43–34%; 23–16%) and life satisfaction (91–80%; 82–69%) decreased significantly compared to the pre-pandemic. For girls only, lockdown was associated with higher odds for reporting high depressive symptoms. As expected, the least privileged socioeconomic groups showed the greatest psychological distress. However, our trend analyses provided no evidence that the socioeconomic inequalities in psychological distress (according to prevalence of high depressive symptoms or loneliness) changed substantial in any direction during the first wave of the pandemic [between the pre-pandemic and inter-pandemic periods].Conclusion: Adolescents are vulnerable, and interventions should provide them with mental health support during crises such as societal lockdown. In particular, the social and health policy, public health, and further research should target these least privileged groups.

Quality of Life and Mental Health of Infertile Women Affected by Endometriosis: A Narrative Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-244
Author(s):  
Cristina Zarbo ◽  
Agostino Brugnera ◽  
Rita Secomandi ◽  
Ilario Candeloro ◽  
Chiara Malandrino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Stress Perception ◽  
Infertile Women ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Treatment ◽  
General Quality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Test Outcomes

Objective: Infertility has a severe impact on quality of life and mental health. This condition could be exacerbated by the existence of comorbid medical disease, like endometriosis. The aim of this critical narrative review is the examination of the state of the art about the quality of life and mental health in infertile women with endometriosis. Methods: We performed a rigorous and systematic search for studies on multiple electronic databases. A total of 6 papers were included in the review and were subjected to interpretative and critical narrative synthesis. Results and Discussion: Major findings are resumed in the following points: (a) infertile women with endometriosis when compared to infertile ones without endometriosis show higher depression, stress perception, and anxiety, and lower general quality of life; (b) quality of life specifically related to infertility is similar among women with and without endometriosis and seems to be related to personality and beliefs factors; (c) giving birth to a child is related to better mental quality of life; (d) during assisted reproductive treatment (ART) stimulation, infertile women with endometriosis have a decrease of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia; (e) satisfaction of ART is related to the number of attempts, treatment accomplishment and pregnancy test outcomes. Clinical implications of these findings and suggestions for future researches were discussed. Conclusion: Concluding, it is crucial to assess the psychological factors related to endometriosis and infertility to reduce the impact of these diseases on quality of life and mental health, provide adequate support to these patients, improve their satisfaction and increase the change to get pregnant.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of postoperative sexual dysfunction and quality of life in type a aortic dissection patients of different ages

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeng-Rong Luo ◽  
Dong-Shan Liao ◽  
Liang-Wan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Type A Aortic Dissection ◽  
Postoperative Sexual Dysfunction

Abstract Background To compare postoperative sexual dysfunction (SD) and quality of life (QOL) in Type A Aortic Dissection (AAD) Patients of Different Ages. Methods From January 2018 to December 2019, 204 AAD postoperative survivors in Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University were selected and were divided into young group (less than 50 years old) and elderly group (more than 50 years old). We evaluated SD according to the male International Erectile Dysfunction Index (IIEF-5) and female sexual function index (FSFI). The Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-12) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) were used to investigate the QOL, Quick Inventory Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to investigate depressive symptoms. Results One hundred seventy-five patients completed all the questionnaire (85.8%). The total SD prevalence rate was 38.9% (68 cases), with 27.4% of the young (20 cases) and 47.1% of the elderly (48 cases). The age of non-SD and SD patients was 49.0 ± 11.5 and 56.9 ± 10.8 years, respectively (P = 0.03). Compared with non-SD patients, the total physical health of SD patients was significantly worse (P = 0.04), however, the mental health was not significantly worse (P = 0.77); the depressive symptoms did not expressed a significant difference between the SD and non-SD groups (QIDS-SR P = 0.15, BDI-II P = 0.06). Total physical health scores in the young SD group did not show significant better than elderly SD group (P = 0.24), however, total mental health scores showed significantly worse (P = 0.04), depressive symptoms scores were significantly higher (QIDS-SR P = 0.03, BDI-II P = 0.04). Conclusion The postoperative AAD SD prevalence of elderly is higher than that of young, and the total physical health of SD patients is poorer than those without SD patients. The young SD patients did not show a significant higher physical health scores than the elderly SD patients, instead, the young SD patients were more psychologically affected than the elderly SD patients, whose mental health was worse, and depression symptoms were more obvious, suggesting that the factors affecting the QOL of postoperative SD patients are related to physical factors, but the young postoperative SD patients mainly affected by psychological factors.

scholarly journals Promoting the Quality of Life of Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6813
Author(s):  
Chia-Jung Lee ◽  
Yen Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Learning Center ◽  
Learning Centers ◽  
Technology Learning ◽  
The Impact

This study explored the technology learning model of the elderly in a senior learning center under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many senior learning centers were closed during the pandemic, and many of them adopted the mode of online education. However, problems such as decreased motivation and a lack of peer interaction still exist. To solve these problems, this study used the easy-to-implement calligraphy AR approach and E-book approach to conduct a quasi-experiment on the elderly of a calligraphy course offered by a senior learning center. The results show a higher learning motivation among the elderly who use calligraphy AR. The learning effectiveness and technology acceptance of the elderly in the E-book learning group were higher than those in the calligraphy AR group. The elderly mentioned that the E-book learning approach is more user-friendly. In general, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the suspension of classes in senior centers, education through the development of technology has stimulated the growth of education in advanced learning centers. Through this kind of scientific and technological learning method, it will bring a whole new experience to the elderly. It can improve the stress relief methods, mental health, and quality of life of the elderly during the COVID-19 emergency shutdown, and provide a novel calligraphy technique learning experience for the elderly. Therefore, we believe that the calligraphy AR learning approach and the calligraphy E-book learning approach are practical and may promote quality of life and mental health of the elderly during the emergency closures due to COVID-19, providing elderly attendees with a novel calligraphy technology learning experience.

Quality of life during the first 6 months of interferon-b treatment in patients with MS

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 338-342
Author(s):  
J HA Arnoldus ◽  
J Killestein ◽  
L EMA Pfennings ◽  
B Jelles ◽  
B MJ Uitdehaag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Significant Linear Trend ◽  
Role Physical ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: To determine the quality of life (QoL) of MS patients during the initial 6 months of treatment with interferon-b (IFN-b). Furthermore, to determine whether changes in QoL relate to disability, emotional state, therapeutic expectations or side effect profile. Background: IFN-b has been shown to have beneficial effects on the course of MS. Since the aim of IFN-b treatment is not to cure but to slow down the disease it is important to know how this treatment affects QoL. Surprisingly, the impact of treatment with IFN-b on QoL measures has not been extensively studied so far. Methods: Case report documentation, including EDSS, SF-36 and MADRAS scores, of 51 relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with IFN-b was obtained at baseline and at months 1, 3 and 6. Patients also filled in a form about their expectations of therapy and a questionnaire on side effects. Results: During treatment there was a significant linear trend indicating improvement in the role-physical functioning (RPF) scale of the SF-36 (F1,50=4.9, P=0.032). A transient decrease at month 1 was found in the scale for bodily pain, indicating more experienced pain (F1,50=19.8, P50.001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with most depressive symptoms on the MADRAS at baseline contributed most to the increase in RPF scores over time (F1,24=5,6 P=0.026). Furthermore, we found associations between adverse event scores and several domains of QoL. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IFN-b therapy has an impact on QoL of MS patients in that it improves role-physical functioning and transiently worsens experienced bodily pain. QoL during treatment with IFN-b is influenced by depressive symptoms at baseline as well as by treatment-associated side-effects.

Effectiveness of duloxetine on severity of pain and quality of life in chronic low back pain in patients who had posterior spinal fixation

2021 ◽  
pp. 221049172098333
Author(s):  
Arezoo Samadi ◽  
Razieh Salehian ◽  
Danial Kiani ◽  
Atefeh Ghanbari Jolfaei
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Spinal Fixation ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale ◽  
Hamilton Anxiety

Background: In this study, we want to search the effectiveness of Duloxetine on the severity of pain and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain who had posterior spinal fixation. Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial done in 6 months 50 patients who had CLBP and were candidates for PSF surgery selected and divided into two groups (drug and placebo). They filled the VAS, SF-36, and Hamilton questionnaires before surgery and after 6 weeks from using 30 mg of duloxetine or placebo. Results: Significant differences were evidenced among groups for the Visual Analogue Scale (P = 0.005) and Verbal Analogue Scale (p = 0.003). Patients in the Duloxetine group have more visual and verbal pain scores than the placebo group. In the quality of life, there was a significant difference between the two groups before the intervention. Also, significant differences were evidenced among groups for the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (p = 0.17). After the intervention, only the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (p = 0.001) and ‘bodily pain’ and ‘general health’ subscales of quality of life (p = 0.008, 0.004, respectively) have a significant difference between the two groups. There was a significant difference between pre and post-intervention in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale only in the duloxetine group. Also, in terms of quality of life, the subscales of ‘physical role’, ‘emotional role’, ‘physical pain’ and ‘total score of quality of life’ in the duloxetine and placebo groups were significantly different between pre and post-intervention. However, the subscales of ‘physical function’ and ‘general health’ were significantly different only in the duloxetine group between pre and post-intervention. Conclusion: The results suggest that the use of duloxetine in patients who had spinal surgery can help to better control back pain, on the other hand, it can cause a better psychological condition that affects the quality of life.

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