scholarly journals Psychopathology and Somatic Complaints: A Cross-Sectional Study with Portuguese Adults

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Joana Proença Becker ◽  
Rui Paixão ◽  
Manuel João Quartilho

(1) Background: Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by medical diagnosis, injuries, and medication intake. More than the presence of unexplained symptoms, this condition is associated with functional disabilities, psychological distress, increased use of health services, and it has been linked to depressive and anxiety disorders. Recognizing the difficulty of diagnosing individuals with FSS and the impact on public health systems, this study aimed to verify the concomitant incidence of psychopathological symptoms and FSS in Portugal. (2) Methods: For this purpose, 93 psychosomatic outpatients (91.4% women with a mean age of 53.9 years old) and 101 subjects from the general population (74.3% women with 37.8 years old) were evaluated. The survey questionnaire included the 15-item Patient Health Questionnaire, the 20-Item Short Form Survey, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and questions on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. (3) Results: Increases in FSS severity were correlated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. The findings also suggest that increased rates of FSS are associated with lower educational level and female gender. (4) Conclusion: Being aware of the relationship between FSS and psychopathological symptoms and the need to explore psychosocial issues during clinical interviews may favor early detection of these cases. The early detection of mental disorders is essential for individuals’ adherence to treatments, reflecting on healthcare costs.

Author(s):  
Rosa GARCÍA-SIERRA ◽  
María Isabel Fernández-Cano ◽  
Josep María MANRESA-DOMÍNGUEZ ◽  
María FEIJOO-CID ◽  
Eduard MORENO-GABRIEL ◽  
...  

The process of international migration causes a situation of vulnerability in people's health and greater difficulty in coping with disease. Furthermore, the adversities suffered during migration can trigger reactive signs of stress and cause anxious, depressive, confusional and somatic symptoms. This article studies the relationships between psychosocial risk, psychological distress and somatization in immigrants from 4 communities: Maghrebis, Sub-Saharans, South Americans and South Asian. A cross-sectional study was carried out with questionnaires on 602 immigrants who were surveyed in the Primary Care Centres of an urban area of Catalonia. The instruments used were the Demographic Psychosocial Inventory (DPSI), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Somatic Symptom Inventory (SSI). The average psychosocial risk obtained was 0.35, with the highest values in the sub-Saharan community. Psychological distress showed a mean value of 0.66, with the sub-Saharan community scoring the lowest in all dimensions except depression. The average somatization values were 1.65, with the sub-Saharan community scoring the least. The female gender is a risk factor for somatization and psychological distress. Perceived psychosocial risk is a predictor of psychological distress, but not somatization, suggesting that the use of more adaptive coping strategies could minimize the effect of the migration process on somatizations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Cirillo ◽  
Roberta Cutruzzulà ◽  
Chiara Somma ◽  
Marco Gregori ◽  
Giuseppe Cestone ◽  
...  

Background: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in long-term dialysis patients and a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Although there is a relevance of the issue in the dialysis setting, we still know little about possible relationships between depression and uraemia-related biochemical abnormalities. Our aims were to evaluate (1) the prevalence of depression in our haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) population using a validated and easy-to-implement screening tool and (2) the association between depression and the main uraemia-related clinical and biochemical parameter changes. Methods: In this monocentric cross-sectional study, all patients of our centre with at least 3 months of dialysis were screened by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a self-administered depression-screening questionnaire validated in dialysis setting. The impact of depressive symptoms on daily life was also assessed. We then analysed relationships between the PHQ-9-derived depressive score, functional impairment score, demographic, clinical and laboratory variables. Results: In our cohort of 145 patients, depressive symptoms were found in 69 patients (46%). Stratifying for severity, mild, moderate and severe grade accounted for 31, 13 and 2% respectively. Depressive symptoms affected 36% of patients on PD versus 52% of patients on HD. Moreover, the PD patients had significantly less functional impairment derived from depressive symptoms than the HD patients. Simple and multiple regression analysis identified serum phosphorus as the only uraemia-related laboratory parameter that was high statistically associated with depressive score. Conclusions: Using a reliable, simple and fast tool, we found that depressive symptoms affect almost half of dialysis patients, particularly so the HD cohort. Severity of depressive symptoms seems related to serum levels of phosphorus possibly because depression affects compliance to therapy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 735-739
Author(s):  
Jian Chen ◽  
Bruce Oddson ◽  
Heather C. Gilbert

Context: Symptom checklist in Sport Concussion Assessment Tool has been widely used in preseason assessment and in concussion diagnosis, but the impact of prior concussions on the graded symptoms after a new concussion has not been evaluated. Objective: This study was undertaken to examine reported symptoms associated with recurrent concussions using data of a comprehensive survey among athletes. Design: Retrospective survey and cross-sectional study. Setting: College athletes. Participants: Student athletes who sustained one or more concussions. Main Outcome Measures: Concussion history and graded symptoms of the most recent concussion at time of the survey were surveyed. The impact of prior concussions was examined over symptoms and aggregated symptoms. Results: Multiple concussions were associated with greater reporting of individual symptoms related to emotion and physical symptoms of sensitivity to light and noise: more emotional (z = 2.3, P = .02); sadness (z = 2.4, P = .02); nervousness (z = 2.4, P = .02); irritability (z = 3.6, P = .01); sensitivity to light (z = 2.6, P = .01); and sensitivity to noise (z = 2.4, P = .04). The composite scores of emotional symptom and sensitivity symptom clusters were significantly higher: t = 2.68 (P < .01) and t = 3.35 (P < .01), respectively. Conclusions: The significant rises in emotional and sensitivity symptoms may be an important additive effect of concussive injury. Closer attention should be given to these symptom clusters when evaluating concussion injury and recovery.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Cody ◽  
Carol A. Mancuso ◽  
Jayme C. Burket ◽  
Anca Marinescu ◽  
Aoife MacMahon ◽  
...  

Background: Few authors have investigated patients’ expectations from foot and ankle surgery. In this study, we aimed to examine relationships between patients’ preoperative expectations and their demographic and clinical characteristics. We hypothesized that patients with more disability and those with anxiety or depressive symptoms would have greater expectations. Methods: All adult patients scheduled for elective foot or ankle surgery by 1 of 6 orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons were screened for inclusion over 8 months. Preoperatively, all patients completed the Hospital for Special Surgery Foot & Ankle Surgery Expectations Survey in addition to the Foot & Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Short Form (SF)–12, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)–8, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and pain visual analog scale (VAS). The expectations survey contained 23 expectations categories, each with 5 answer choices ranging from “I do not have this expectation” to “complete improvement” expected. It was scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more expectations. Differences in expectations relating to numerous patient demographic and clinical variables were assessed. In total, 352 patients with an average age of 55 ± 15 (range, 18-86) years were enrolled. Results: Expectations scores were not related to age ( P = .36). On average, women expected to achieve complete improvement more often than men ( P = .011). Variables that were significantly associated with higher expectations scores ( P < .05) included nonwhite race, use of a cane or other assistive device, and greater medical comorbidity. Worse function and quality of life (as assessed by all FAOS subscales and the SF-12 physical and mental components), more depressive and anxiety symptoms, and higher pain VAS scores were associated with higher expectations scores and more expectations ( P < .01 for all). Conclusions: The results of this study may help inform surgeons’ preoperative discussions with their patients regarding realistic expectations from surgery. Generally, patients with worse function and more disability had higher expectations from surgery. Addressing these patients’ expectations preoperatively may help improve their ultimate satisfaction with surgery. Level of Evidence: Level II, cross sectional study.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingyi Xu ◽  
Shuhua Jia ◽  
Maiko Fukasawa ◽  
Lin Lin ◽  
Jun Na ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Epidemiological studies have shown elevated suicide risk in cancer patients compare with the general population. This study was performed to examine the association between physical symptoms and suicidal ideation among Chinese hospitalized cancer patients and test the modifying effect of health self-efficacy on this association. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 544 cancer patients from oncology settings in two general hospitals in northeast China via face-to-face interviews. Suicidal ideation was measured by using four items from the Yale Evaluation of Suicidality scale, dichotomized into a positive and negative score. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to examine the impact of physical symptoms, health self-efficacy and their interactions on suicidal ideation.Results: We found a suicidal ideation rate of 26.3% in patients following cancer diagnosis. Logistic regression showed that insomnia (aOR=1.84, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.00, p =0.015), lack of appetite (aOR=2.14, 95% CI 1.26 to 3.64, p =0.005) were positively associated with suicidal ideation, low health self-efficacy showed a marginally significant exaggerating effect on the association between pain and suicidal ideation (aOR = 2.77, 95% CI 0.99 to 7.74, p =0.053), even after controlling for significant socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and depression. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the associations between insomnia、lack of appetite and suicidal ideation and highlight the potential moderating role of health self-efficacy in the identification and prevention of suicide among cancer patients.


Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 557
Author(s):  
Rosa García-Sierra ◽  
María Isabel Fernández-Cano ◽  
Josep María Manresa-Domínguez ◽  
María Feijoo-Cid ◽  
Eduard Moreno Gabriel ◽  
...  

The process of international migration causes a situation of vulnerability in people’s health and greater difficulty in coping with disease. Furthermore, the adversities suffered during migration can trigger reactive signs of stress and cause anxious, depressive, confusional and somatic symptoms. This article studies the relationships between psychosocial risk, psychological distress and somatization in immigrants from four communities: Maghrebis, Sub-Saharans, South Americans and South Asian. A cross-sectional study was carried out with questionnaires on 602 immigrants who were surveyed in the primary care centers of an urban area of Catalonia. The instruments used were the Demographic Psychosocial Inventory (DPSI), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Somatic Symptom Inventory (SSI). The average psychosocial risk obtained was 0.35, with the highest values in the Sub-Saharan community. Psychological distress showed a mean value of 0.66, with the Sub-Saharan community scoring the lowest in all dimensions except depression. The average somatization values were 1.65, with the Sub-Saharan community scoring the least. The female gender is a risk factor for somatization and psychological distress. Perceived psychosocial risk is a predictor of psychological distress, but not somatization, suggesting that the use of more adaptive coping strategies could minimize the effect of the migration process on somatizations.


2002 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Hartnick ◽  
Barbara K. Giambra ◽  
Cynthia Bissell ◽  
Cynthia M. Fitton ◽  
Robin T. Cotton ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the development and final testing of an instrument designed to evaluate the impact of tracheotomy on the health-related quality of life of affected families in whom a child has had a tracheotomy (the Pediatric Tracheotomy Health Status Instrument [PTHSI]). STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study designed to analyze a disease-specific health status instrument to establish validity and reliability. RESULTS: The PTHSI was initially pilot tested in 130 families during a 3-month period from September through November 2000. After initial analysis and revision, from January 2001 through July 2001, 154 different families completed the revised instrument. The overall Cronbach's α coefficient for the instrument was 0.91, with domain-specific coefficients ranging from 0.66 for physical symptoms to 0.87 for caregiver stress and coping. Specific criterion validity analysis produced a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.8 ( P < 0.0001). Construct validity testing via Wilcoxon matched sum testing suggested statistically significant differences between subpopulations ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: After initial testing and revision of the PTHSI, final instrument administration and analysis reveal the instrument to be valid and reliable. Future studies are planned to evaluate its responsiveness in longitudinal application.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jansi Rani Natarajan ◽  
Mickael Antoine Joseph ◽  
Rashid Mohammed Al Alawi ◽  
Taimoor Al Balushi ◽  
Ibrahim Al Alawi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: A chronic wound is one that has failed to proceed through the normal phases of wound healing in an orderly manner. Chronic wounds are a common problem around the world. They can be distressing to the patients causing physical, social and emotional damage such as decreased activities of daily living, pain, discomfort, unpleasant odor, and insomnia. Wellbeing, quality of life and satisfaction of these patients with chronic wounds can be impaired by a complex set of aspects. The purpose of this article is to describe the impact of chronic wounds on the wellbeing, quality of life and satisfaction of Omani patients with chronic wounds. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of 275 patients with chronic wounds attending three tertiary care hospitals in Muscat city, Sultanate of Oman. Adult patients of 18 years and above with wounds of duration of more than 4weeks were chosen by consecutive non-probability sampling. A pre-tested, semi-structured self-reported questionnaire was provided to each patient to complete. Data was analysed using SPSS IBM version 23.Results: The average age of the patients was 47.13±16.917 and the majority of them (64.7%) were males. Most of them (29.1%) had diabetic ulcers and 45.8% of them presented with mildly severe wounds based on Bates-Jensen wound assessment scale. Patients with chronic wounds reported a poor wellbeing scores (M=10.47, SD= 1.813), moderate quality of life (M=5.22, SD= 2.388) and satisfaction scores (M=6.89, SD= 2.388). Significant mean differences were reported with age, gender, educational level, and type of wound at p<.05 levels.Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that chronic wounds could influence the wellbeing, quality of life and overall satisfaction with the quality of life of patients suffering with it. These results also suggest a need to pay increased attention by the healthcare providers to the patients suffering from chronic wounds on the aspects of wellbeing and quality of life along with treating the physical symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chadia HADDAD ◽  
Sandrella Bou Malhab ◽  
Hala SACRE ◽  
Rasha THEBIAN ◽  
Hassan SALAME ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Infectious illness outbreaks, such as COVID-19, have a devastating impact on physical health and social and psychological well-being. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) after the COVID-19 outbreak in a sample of the Lebanese population and compare sociodemographic factors associated with QOL among COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted between January and March 2021 during the lockdown imposed by the Lebanese Government enrolled 2349 Lebanese adults. The major dependent variable was the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12), often used as a QOL measure for assessing the impact of health on an individual's everyday life.Results: In participants with non-positive PCR, linear regression showed that higher income (Beta=2.224) is associated with a higher QOL score. Whereas higher household crowding index (Beta=-0.537), older age (Beta=-0.109), being married (Beta=-1.308), having hypertension (Beta=-2.479), and other chronic diseases (Beta=-3.704) were associated with a lower QOL score.In participants with positive PCR, linear regression showed that the female gender (Beta=2.416) and a higher income (Beta=4.856) were associated with a higher QOL score. Whereas shortness of breath (beta=-2.607), sore throat (Beta=-5.654), sneezing (Beta=-3.761), and having a chronic disease other than hypertension (Beta=-3.181) were associated with a lower QOL score.Conclusion: Overall, factors such as age, male gender, married status, crowded household, low monthly income, high BMI, the presence of chronic disease, and severe COVID-19 symptoms were related to lower QOL after the covid-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa García-Sierra ◽  
María Isabel Fernández-Cano ◽  
Josep Maria Manresa-Domínguez ◽  
María Feijoo-Cid ◽  
Eduard Moreno Gabriel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The process of international migration causes a situation of vulnerability in people's health and greater difficulty in coping with disease. Furthermore, the adversities suffered during migration can trigger reactive signs of stress and cause anxious, depressive, confusional and somatic symptoms. This article studies the relationships between psychosocial risk, psychological distress and somatization in immigrants from 4 communities: Maghrebis, Sub-Saharans, South Americans and South Asians.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with questionnaires on 602 immigrants who were surveyed in the Primary Care Centres of an urban area of Catalonia. The instruments used were the Demographic Psychosocial Inventory (DPSI), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Somatic Symptom Inventory (SSI).Results: The average psychosocial risk obtained was 0.35, with the highest values in the sub-Saharan community. Psychological distress showed a mean value of 0.66, with the sub-Saharan community scoring the lowest in all dimensions except depression. The average somatization values were 1.65, with the sub-Saharan community scoring the least. The female gender is a risk factor for somatization and psychological distress.Conclusions: Perceived psychosocial risk is a predictor of psychological distress, but not somatization, suggesting that the use of more adaptive coping strategies could minimize the effect of the migration process on somatizations.


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