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Biomedical subjects

J Catalan

Publications and source records attributed to J Catalan.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

The psychosocial impact of HIV infection in gay men, drug users and heterosexuals. Controlled investigation.

The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of current and past psychiatric morbidity in HIV seropositive asymptomatic subjects belonging to three transmission categories (gay men, intravenous drug users, and heterosexuals) compared with that found in HIV seronegative controls from the same groups. A cross-sectional, controlled study including 279 seropositive subjects belonging to groups II and III defined by the Center for Disease Control (94 gay men, 157 intravenous drug users, and 28 heterosexuals) and 159 seronegative subjects (38 gay men, 91 intravenous drug users, and 30 heterosexuals) is reported. Outcome measures included standardised, self-report questionnaires and a semistructured interview to assess current psychopathological status and past psychiatric history. In addition, a psychiatric diagnosis according to DSM-III-R criteria Axis I and II was made in the seropositive subjects. Results showed that these subjects differed very little from the controls and that overall levels of psychiatric disturbances in both groups were low and similar to those found in other life-threatening illnesses. Furthermore, intravenous drug users, regardless of HIV serological status, had the highest levels of psychological morbidity. Psychosocial distress was associated with previous and current lifestyle, independently of HIV status.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Deliberate self-harm and public holidays: is there a link?

It has previously been reported [Davenport & Birtle, 1990] that there is a positive association between nonfatal deliberate self-harm in adolescents and emotionally charged festivals, such as St Valentine's Day and Christmas Day. We studied all cases of nonfatal deliberate self-harm presenting to three Central London hospitals on St Valentine's Day and Christmas Day and on two control dates, between 1983 and 1989. No association was found between cases of deliberate self-harm and St Valentine's Day, but a negative association was found with Christmas Day.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Sex therapy for erectile dysfunction: characteristics of couples, treatment outcome, and prognostic factors.

Outcome and prognostic factors were studied in 36 couples who entered sex therapy because of the male partners' erectile dysfunction. Treatment was completed by two thirds. Noncompletion was associated with lower socioeconomic status, the female partner having a history of psychiatric treatment, pretreatment poorer motivation of the male partner, poor communication in the general relationship, and less sexual pleasure experienced by the female. A positive treatment outcome occurred in 69.4%, and was associated with better pretreatment communication and general sexual adjustment, especially the female partner's interest and enjoyment of sex, absence of a positive psychiatric history in the female partner, and a couple's early engagement in homework assignments. Results highlight important aspects of the initial assessment, indicate couples for whom the initial phase of treatment should be prolonged and modified or an alternative approach considered, and have implications for assignment of couples to treatment groups in evaluative studies of therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The psychosocial impact of HIV infection in men with haemophilia: controlled investigation and factors associated with psychiatric morbidity.

The aim of the investigation was to establish the prevalence of psychosocial problems in men with haemophilia and HIV infection, and to identify factors associated with psychological morbidity. A cross-sectional controlled study including 37 HIV seropositive and 36 HIV seronegative men with haemophilia under the care of the Oxford Haemophilia Centre were included in the investigation. The outcome measures included current psychological status (PSE, POMS, Beck Hopelessness Scale and Self-Esteem) and psychiatric history; coping and health beliefs (Self-Control Schedule, Hardiness Scale, Health Locus of Control Scale); social functioning (Modified Social Adjustment Scale); and sexual functioning. The results showed that seropositive individuals, whether symptomatic or not, had significantly worse total PSE scores and had higher levels of hopelessness. In addition, symptomatics had worse depression scores (POMS) than seronegatives. However, levels of psychiatric morbidity were generally low, even in the seropositive group. High levels of psychological morbidity were associated with high levels of hopelessness, unfavourable social adjustment, past psychiatric history and symptomatic HIV disease. Seropositives reported greater negative impact on their sex lives, and sexually active seropositives reported a significantly greater prevalence of sexual dysfunction than seronegatives. The majority of seropositives reported regular condom use during intercourse, and also continuing concerns about infecting their sexual partners in spite of it. In summary, it was found that men with haemophilia an HIV infection have higher levels of psychological distress and sexual problems than seronegatives. The skilled staff involved in their treatment are in a good position to identify their difficulties and ensure that good care is provided.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Factors associated with psychological help-seeking in HIV disease.

The study was aimed at evaluating the psychosocial and psychopathological characteristics of individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection seeking psychological help compared with a sample not seeking help. Two hundred and seventy-one HIV seropositive (HIV+ve) subjects belonging to three transmission categories (90 gay men, 154 intravenous drug users and 27 heterosexuals) who were assessed at their first clinic appointment and offered access to psychological help were studied. Subsequently, it was found that 45 (17%) took advantage of the offer of psychological help, and attended a specialist clinic, while 226 (83%) did not seek help. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to establish the characteristics of subjects who received psychological help. Results showed that five factors identified at the time of first clinic appointment were significantly associated with seeking psychological help subsequently: (1) having a current DSM-III-R Axis I psychiatric diagnosis; (2) being single; (3) belief of being affected by a serious physical illness (negative correlation); (4) higher level of education; and (5) no past or current history of substance misuse. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Effect of chloramphenicol on sister chromatid exchange in bovine fibroblasts.

The genotoxic potential of different chloramphenicol concentrations (5, 20, 40 and 60 micrograms ml-1) was investigated in bovine fibroblast primary lines by sister chromatid exchange assay. Chloramphenicol acted for long enough to ensure similar effects to persistent storage in the kidney. In this experiment 10 micrograms ml-1 of 5-bromodeoxyuridine was added for 60 hours for all doses of chloramphenicol and to the control. When the tissue culture cells were exposed to increasing doses, increased numbers of sister chromatid exchanges developed. Differences were significantly different to the control.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Railway suicide: the psychological effects on drivers.

People have jumped (or fallen) in front of trains on the London Underground system in increasing numbers throughout the twentieth century. During the past decade there have been about 100 such incidents each year, of which around 90 would involve the train driver witnessing his train strike the person on the track. Most are suicides or attempts at suicide. They represent major unexpected and violent events in the lives of the train drivers and it might be expected that some of them would respond by developing a post-traumatic stress reaction of the type identified by Horowitz (1976) or other adverse psychological reactions or both. The research reported in this paper was designed to characterize the range of responses of drivers to the experiences of killing or injuring members of the public during the course of their daily work. It was found that 16.3% of the drivers involved in incidents did develop post-traumatic stress disorder and that other diagnoses, e.g. depression and phobic states, were present in 39.5% of drivers when interviewed one month after the incident.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Partners of men with HIV infection and haemophilia: controlled investigation of factors associated with psychological morbidity.

The study was concerned with determining the prevalence of psychosocial problems in partners of men with haemophilia and HIV infection, and with identifying factors associated with psychological morbidity. Partners of 17 HIV positive and partners of 19 HIV negative men with haemophilia were assessed in a cross-sectional controlled investigation. Outcome measures included current psychological status and psychiatric history; coping and health beliefs; and social and sexual functioning. Partners of HIV positive men with haemophilia, the majority of whom were asymptomatic, were not found to suffer more psychological difficulties than the partners of HIV negative men with haemophilia. However, partners of haemophiliacs regardless of HIV status suffer from higher levels of psychological distress than comparable women in the community, and those with past psychiatric history and current social difficulties are particularly at risk. The sexual relationships of couples with HIV positive men were more adversely affected than those of HIV negative couples.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Testing for HIV in the antenatal clinic: the views of midwives.

Self administered questionnaires were given to 34 midwives, who regularly counsel parturient women about the HIV antibody test, to investigate their attitudes to the test being offered in the antenatal clinic. Most of the midwives felt that testing should not be compulsory and that the test should be offered to all pregnant women who ask for it, not only those in recognized risk groups. Most also felt that women should be told the results of the test and that it should not be the midwives aim to increase the number of women having the test. Most felt that all midwives should counsel about the test but would like health advisers, GPs and obstetricians to be involved also. They also felt that they did not have sufficient knowledge in some areas to counsel particularly with regard to the practical and psychological implications of being HIV positive. This has implications in terms of the provision of adequate pre-test counselling for all pregnant women as an improvement in counselling services requires an allocation of finances, e.g. for training of midwives, which may be seen as unnecessary in areas of low seroprevalence. Further discussion and debate of these issues is required.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1992

Risk of deliberate self-harm and factors associated with suicidal behaviour among asymptomatic individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The study was aimed at evaluating the risk of deliberate self-harm (DSH) and factors associated with suicidal behaviour in 213 asymptomatic individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 3 transmission categories (68 gay men, 123 intravenous drug users and 22 heterosexuals). The results showed that 12 HIV-seropositive (HIV+) subjects were involved in DSH after the notification of a positive HIV test result, of which 8 occurred within 6 months and 4 between 6 months and 3 years. HIV+ subjects with a past psychiatric history showed a 7.7-fold increase in the relative risk of DSH, and HIV+ subjects with a history of DSH showed a 5-fold increase in the relative risk of DSH compared with HIV+ individuals without a past psychiatric history and a history of DSH. Professionals involved in the care of HIV+ individuals need to be aware of this risk, especially in the first few months after notification of HIV status and also at later stages of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Eating disorders in men with HIV infection.

Four men with HIV infection who were referred to liaison psychiatry for assessment of eating disorders are described. In all four cases the eating disorder had implications for the clinical management of their HIV infection. Investigations of weight loss, dietary intervention, and compliance may all be affected by the presence of an eating disorder. The development of HIV disease may exacerbate the symptoms of an eating disorder.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1992

The psychosocial impact of HIV infection in gay men. A controlled investigation and factors associated with psychiatric morbidity.

This study aimed to establish the prevalence of psychosocial problems in gay men with HIV infection, and to identify factors associated with psychological morbidity. The study was a cross-sectional controlled investigation, which included 24 HIV seropositive and 25 seronegative gay men. Outcome measures included current psychological status and psychiatric history; coping and health beliefs; and social and sexual functioning. Seropositive subjects had worse scores on the PSE total score, and greater sexual difficulties. There were also differences in health beliefs and coping. Psychological morbidity was associated with hopelessness, previous psychiatric illness, symptomatic HIV disease, and low self-esteem.

Adaptation, Psychological↗