EXPLORING PHARMACY STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF EATING DISORDERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Objective: Eating disorders are a group of mental illnesses that are long-term and potentially life-threatening, affecting individuals’ physical and emotional health and wellbeing. They commonly exist alongside other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety and are associated with a significant reduction in an individual's quality of life and life expectancy. They are poorly understood, and cases may be undiagnosed and thus untreated. This can result in damage to multiple organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys. Methods: This was an online questionnaire-based study, which consisted of 21 open and closed-ended questions. Participants were from years 1 to 4 of the MPharm course at the University of Wolverhampton. Results: Fourty two completed surveys were returned. The results of the study revealed that pharmacy students lacked knowledge of eating disorders, which was also illustrated in previously conducted studies amongst other healthcare professions students. Therefore, it is evident that the current education about eating disorders is insufficient in many undergraduate healthcare courses and there is room for improvement. Conclusion: Improving future pharmacist’s knowledge about eating disorders would assist better and earlier identification of patients with such conditions, allowing timely support.

Download Full-text

Cross-sectional comparison of health-related quality of life and other features in people with and without objective and subjective binge eating using a general population sample

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024227 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. e024227

Author(s):

Natalie Li ◽

Deborah Mitchison ◽

Stephen Touyz ◽

Phillipa Hay

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Eating Disorders ◽

Binge Eating ◽

Diagnostic Criteria ◽

Population Sample ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

ObjectivesEvidence suggests that while objective binge eating (OBE) and subjective binge eating (SBE) differ in the amount of food consumed, both are associated with impairment in people with eating disorders. However, only OBE is accounted for in the diagnostic criteria of eating disorders. This study compared the sociodemographic profile and burden of OBE versus SBE at a population level.DesignPopulation-based survey.ParticipantsA representative sample of 3028 men and women. Participants were categorised into four groups based on their reporting of binge eating in the past 3 months: non-binge eating group (no OBE or SBE), OBE group, SBE group and OSBE group (both OBE and SBE).Outcome measuresDemographics (age, genderand body mass index, BMI), binge eating, distress, weight/shape overvaluation and health-related quality of life. Groups were compared on sociodemographic information, overvaluation and health-related quality of life. The OBE and SBE groups were also compared on the distress related to binge eating.ResultsNo differences were found between the SBE group and OBE group in age, gender, BMI, mental health-related quality of life and overvaluation (all p>0.05). However, differences were found in the OSBE participants, namely that they were younger, had a higher mean BMI, lower mental health-related quality of life and higher overvaluation of weight/shape than the non-binge-eating participants (all p<0.001). Proportions of participants who reported distress related to binge eating in the OBE and SBE groups also did not differ (p=0.678).ConclusionThere is little difference in the demographic profile or burden of people who engage in OBE versus SBE, supporting the proposed inclusion of SBE in the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders in International Classification of Diseases-11. People who experience both OBE and SBE may experience a relatively higher eating disorder severity and impairment.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Brief Crisis Intervention Package on Improving Quality of Life and Mental Health in Patients with COVID-19

Iranian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.18502/ijps.v15i3.3812 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hossein Gharaati Sotoudeh ◽

Seyyed Salman Alavi ◽

Zari Akbari ◽

Fereshteh Jannatifard ◽

Valentin Artounian

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Crisis Intervention ◽

Mental Illnesses ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Intervention Package ◽

Before And After ◽

Negative Effect

Objective: COVID 19 is having a devastating effect on mankind’s life. Individuals with COVID-19 will experience high levels of stress, depression, anxiety, and low quality of life. The goals the of present study were to investigate the effect of brief crisis intervention package on stress, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in patient with COVID-19. Method: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 30 patients were randomly selected and divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group was examined in four 60-minute sessions for one month. During this period, the control group received only routine treatment and therapy. Before and after the intervention, DASS21, the Symptom Checklist (SCL-25), and WHO-QOL were used to measure and record patient mental health and quality of life. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS 24 software. Results: The average mental health score was assessed with WHO-QOL, DASS21, and SCL-25 before intervention and was not statistically significant (P = > 0.05), and the mean score of stress, anxiety, depression, WHO-QOL, SCL-25 after intervention was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Therefore, results showed the brief crisis intervention package was effective in improving the quality of life (P < 0.05) and mental illnesses (P < 0.05) in patients with COVID-19. Conclusion: The brief crisis intervention package can reduce the negative effect of patients with COVID-19. Therefore, this intervention can be used as a beneficial treatment to improve mental disorder symptoms and to improve the condition of people who suffer from COVID-19.

Download Full-text

O25 The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health and quality of life in patients with inflammatory arthritis

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keab246.024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Melissa Sweeney ◽

Lewis Carpenter ◽

Savia de Souza ◽

Hema Chaplin ◽

Hsiu Tung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Physical Health ◽

Emotional Distress ◽

Inflammatory Arthritis ◽

Mental Health Disorder ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Health Measures ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background/Aims COVID-19 lockdown has affected the mental health of many people around the world. People with inflammatory arthritis (IA) are at a higher risk of mental health and psychosocial consequences of the pandemic compared with the general population, since they are potentially more vulnerable to COVID-19 and experience higher rates of existing comorbid mental health disorder. Furthermore, vulnerable patients were advised to self-isolate for 12 weeks, which could further exacerbate emotional distress. This study aimed to explore the impacts of lockdown on mental health and wellbeing, and to determine which factors were associated with worse disease outcomes. Methods An online questionnaire was completed by 338 participants in the UK with an IA condition between June and July 2020. The questionnaire, designed with input from a service user, assessed various aspects of the impact of the pandemic on the quality of life of people with IA, including their mental health. Self-reported visual analogue scales (VAS) for patient global assessment (PGA) of disease activity, pain, fatigue, and emotional distress were completed relating to the previous week, and retrospectively for pre-lockdown (March) and early-lockdown (April). Specific mental health outcomes were further captured using the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ8) and the short UCLA loneliness scale. Linear regressions were conducted to determine mental health factors associated with worse outcomes on physical health measures (PGA, pain, and fatigue), controlling for fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 status. Results Overall, 49% of participants met the PHQ8 criteria for moderate to severe depressive symptoms and 58% reported their mental health had worsened by more than 10 points on the emotional distress VAS during lockdown. Finally, 37% reported they were concerned about loneliness, with 26% indicating this had worsened during lockdown. Emotional distress VAS was significantly associated with PGA (b = 0.21, p< 0.01), pain (b = 0.24, p<0.01), and fatigue (b = 0.36, p<0.01). Similarly, depression was also associated with PGA (b = 0.95, p<0.01), pain (b = 0.92, p<0.01), and fatigue (b = 1.56, p<0.01). However, loneliness was not associated with any of the physical health VAS scores but was associated with the emotional distress VAS (b = 1.83, p=0.00). These results remained consistent for emotional distress, depression, and loneliness as predictors when accounting for fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 status. Conclusion There has been a clear impact of the pandemic on the mental health of people with IA, and this should be taken into consideration by clinicians, especially as it appears to be related to worse overall reported physical health. The mixed results for loneliness in comparison to other mental health measures may illustrate the inter-relatedness of these aspects of mental and physical health, particularly in the context of lockdown. Disclosure M. Sweeney: None. L. Carpenter: None. S. de Souza: None. H. Chaplin: None. H. Tung: None. E. Caton: None. J. Galloway: None. A. Cope: None. M. Yates: None. S. Norton: None.

Download Full-text

An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: A Review of the Emotional and Mental Health Benefits of Plants

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-37.1.30 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 30-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Charles Hall ◽

Melinda Knuth

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Well Being ◽

Visual Response ◽

Memory Retention ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Mental Health Benefits

Abstract Consumers have historically shown an inclination to purchase plants that enhance their quality of life, meaning they will purchase items that positively influence their social, physical, psychological, cognitive, environmental, and spiritual well-being. Plants in native and improved landscapes (and interiorscapes) have been documented to influence each of six quality of life constructs. This paper summarizes publications regarding the emotional and mental health benefits associated with plants, addressing reduced anxiety and stress, attention deficit recovery, fractals and visual response, decreased depression, enhanced memory retention, greater happiness and life satisfaction, mitigation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increased creativity, enhanced productivity and attention, reduced effects of dementia, and improved self-esteem. This research should be strategically incorporated into both industry-wide and firm-specific marketing messages that highlight the quality of life value proposition in order to maintain the industry's sense of value and relevance to consumers of the future. Index words: benefits of plants, emotional health, mental health.

Download Full-text

Higher levels of unmet support needs in spouses are associated with poorer quality of life – a descriptive cross-sectional study in the context of palliative home care

BMC Palliative Care ◽

10.1186/s12904-021-00829-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maria Norinder ◽

Kristofer Årestedt ◽

Susanne Lind ◽

Lena Axelsson ◽

Gunn Grande ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Home Care ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Support Needs ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Palliative Home Care ◽

Life Threatening Illness ◽

Life Threatening

Abstract Background Family caregivers often report having unmet support needs when caring for someone with life-threatening illness. They are at risk for psychological distress, adverse physical symptoms and negatively affected quality of life. This study aims to explore associations between family caregivers’ support needs and quality of life when caring for a spouse receiving specialized palliative home care. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional design was used: 114 family caregivers completed the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) and the Quality of Life in Life-Threatening Illness – Family caregiver version (QOLLTI-F) and 43 of them also answered one open-ended question on thoughts about their situation. Descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression analyses, and qualitative content analysis, were used for analyses. Results Higher levels of unmet support needs were significantly associated with poorer quality of life. All CSNAT support domains were significantly associated with one or more quality of life domains in QOLLTI-F, with the exception of the QoL domain related to distress about the patient condition. However, family caregivers described in the open-ended question that their life was disrupted by the patient’s life-threatening illness and its consequences. Family caregivers reported most the need of more support concerning knowing what to expect in the future, which they also described as worries and concerns about what the illness would mean for them and the patient further on. Lowest QoL was reported in relation to the patient’s condition, and the family caregiver’s own physical and emotional health. Conclusion With a deeper understanding of the complexities of supporting family caregivers in palliative care, healthcare professionals might help to increase family caregivers’ QoL by revealing their problems and concerns. Thus, tailored support is needed.

Download Full-text

Disability and quality of life in pure and comorbid social phobia – Findings from a controlled study

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(99)80729-9 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 118-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

HU Wittchen ◽

M Fuetsch ◽

H Sonntag ◽

N Müller ◽

M Liebowitz

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Social Phobia ◽

Work Performance ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Work Productivity ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Comorbid Conditions ◽

Disease Specific

SummarySocial phobia is increasingly recognized as a prevalent and socially impairing mental disorder. However, little data is available regarding the general and disease-specific impairments and disabilities associated with social phobia. Furthermore, most studies have not controlled for the confounding effects of comorbid conditions.This study investigates: (a) the generic quality of life; (b) work productivity; and, (c) various other disorder-specific social impairments in current cases with pure (n = 65), comorbid (n = 51) and subthreshold (n = 34) DSM-IIIR social phobia as compared to controls with no social phobia (subjects with a history of herpes infections).Social phobia cases reported a mean illness duration of 22.9 years with onset in childhood or adolescence. Current quality of life, as assessed by the SF-36, was significantly reduced in all social phobia groups, particularly in the scales measuring vitality, general health, mental health, role limitations due to emotional health, and social functioning. Comorbid cases revealed more severe reductions than pure and subthreshold social phobics. Findings from the Liebowitz self-rated disability scale indicated that: (a) social phobia affects most areas of life, but in particular education, career, and romantic relationship; (b) the presence of past and current comorbid conditions increases the frequency of disease-specific impairments; and, (c) subthreshold social phobia revealed slightly lower overall impairments than comorbid social phobics. Past week work productivity of social phobics was significantly diminished as indicated by: (a) a three-fold higher rate of unemployed cases; (b) elevated rates of work hours missed due to social phobia problems; and, (c) a reduced work performance.Overall, these findings underline that social phobia in our sample of adults, whether comorbid, subthreshold, or pure was a persisting and impairing condition, resulting in considerable subjective suffering and negative impact on work performance and social relationships. The current disabilities and impairments were usually less pronounced than in the past, presumably due to adaptive behaviors in life style of the respondents. Data also confirmed that social phobia is poorly recognized and rarely treated by the mental health system.

Download Full-text

Anxiety, depression, and quality of life among HIV positive injection drug users in Ukraine, 2017

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.11295 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (07.1) ◽

pp. 111S-117S

Author(s):

Marta Vasylyev ◽

Hayk Davtyan ◽

Olga Denisiuk ◽

Joshua Chadwick Jayaraj ◽

Tetyana Koval ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Policy Development ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Hiv Positive

Introduction: People who inject drugs (PWID) are one of the key populations most vulnerable to HIV infection, with 28 times higher prevalence compared to the rest of the population. PWID are known to have many physical, psychological and lifestyle challenges that can influence access to care. Depression is common among PWID living with HIV. It has major effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and is influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy. This study was conducted to explore how anxiety and depression affect HRQoL among HIV-positive PWID in Ukraine. It will provide knowledge for the further policy development. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study using data from interviewer- administrated questionnaires was performed. The questionnaire was based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The questionnaire on HRQoL was based on the SF-36. Results: Among the 90 HIV positive PWID 74% (67) and 61% (55) had anxiety and depression scores higher than 7 respectively, indicating that most patients had mental health problems. Average scores for general health (40), role limitations due to physical (44) and emotional health (34), vitality (41) and mental health (45) had mean scores less than 50 along with total physical (43) and mental health scores (35). Having an HIV positive partner or partner with unknown HIV status increases anxiety in HIV positive PWID. Conclusion: There are increased depressive and anxiety symptoms and poorer QoL among HIV-positive PWID in Ukraine. Strategies focusing on psychosocial support addressing QoL as part of HIV care could improve health outcomes for these comorbid and debilitating conditions.

Download Full-text

Disability and quality of life in pure and comorbid social phobia. Findings from a controlled study

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(00)00211-x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 46-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 172

Author(s):

H.U. Wittchen ◽

M. Fuetsch ◽

H. Sonntag ◽

N. Müller ◽

M. Liebowitz

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Social Phobia ◽

Work Performance ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Work Productivity ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Comorbid Conditions ◽

Disease Specific

SummarySocial phobia is increasingly recognized as a prevalent and socially impairing mental disorder. However, little data is available regarding the general and disease-specific impairments and disabilities associated with social phobia. Furthermore, most studies have not controlled for the confounding effects of comorbid conditions.This study investigates: (a) the generic quality of life; (b) work productivity; and, (c) various other disorder-specific social impairments in current cases with pure (n = 65), comorbid (n = 51) and subthreshold (n = 34) DSM-IV social phobia as compared to controls with no social phobia (subjects with a history of herpes infections).Social phobia cases reported a mean illness duration of 22.9 years with onset in childhood or adolescence. Current quality of life, as assessed by the SF-36, was significantly reduced in all social phobia groups, particularly in the scales measuring vitality, general health, mental health, role limitations due to emotional health, and social functioning. Comorbid cases revealed more severe reductions than pure and subthreshold social phobics. Findings from the Liebowitz self-rated disability scale indicated that: (a) social phobia affects most areas of life, but in particular education, career, and romantic relationship; (b) the presence of past and current comorbid conditions increases the frequency and severity of disease-specific impairments; and, (c) subthreshold social phobia revealed slightly lower overall impairments than comorbid social phobics. Past-week work productivity of social phobics was significantly diminished as indicated by: (a) a three-fold higher rate of unemployed cases; (b) elevated rates of work hours missed due to social phobia problems; and (c) a reduced work performance.Overall, these findings underline that social phobia in our sample of adults, whether comorbid, subthreshold, or pure was a persisting and impairing condition, resulting in considerable subjective suffering and negative impact on work performance and social relationships. The current disabilities and impairments were usually less pronounced than in the past, presumably due to adaptive behaviors in life style of the respondents. Data also confirmed that social phobia is poorly recognized and rarely treated by the mental health system.

Download Full-text

The mental health of adolescents and pre-adolescents living with inherited arrhythmia syndromes: a systematic review of the literature

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s104795111700289x ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (5) ◽

pp. 621-631

Author(s):

Patricia E. Longmuir ◽

Margaret Sampson ◽

Jennifer Ham ◽

Makenzie Weekes ◽

Bhavika J. Patel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Bodily Pain ◽

Quality Data ◽

Cardioverter Defibrillator ◽

Inherited Arrhythmia

AbstractPotentially fatal arrhythmias add to the mental health challenges of adolescence. This systematic review sought to summarise current knowledge regarding the mental health of adolescents and pre-adolescents diagnosed with inherited arrhythmia syndromes. Searches combining psychological problems with inherited cardiac arrhythmia diagnoses identified 16 studies with paediatric (<18 years) inherited arrhythmia patients. All studies were cross-sectional; 8/16 required an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Methods were quantitative (n=11), qualitative (n=4), or mixed (n=1), with 14–100% of participants having an inherited arrhythmia syndrome. Mean/median age in 13/16 studies was 12–16 years. Patients and parents reported lower quality of life, particularly in relation to physical function, social relationships, restriction of peer activities, bodily pain, and mental and emotional health. Self-perceptions and behaviour were similar to healthy populations. Rates of anxiety and depression (15–33% of these patients) were not increased in these studies where patients were assessed 2+ years after diagnosis. Higher mental health risk occurred among patients who have a diagnosed sibling, those with cardiomyopathy, and those who report decreased quality of life. Mental health research among youth with inherited arrhythmias is extremely limited and of low quality. Data, primarily from patients 2–4 years after diagnosis or treatment with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, indicate that quality of life may be decreased and 15–33% experience mental health issues. Future research is required to examine the mental health and quality of life of paediatric patients with inherited arrhythmia syndromes, whether or not they have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, from time of diagnosis.

Download Full-text