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Negative and positive symptoms in schizophrenia and depression: a followup.

Negative and positive symptoms were investigated in a sample of 72 young schizophrenic and depressed patients at followup approximately 1 1/2 years after hospital discharge. Flat affect, poverty of speech, and psychomotor retardation were included as negative symptoms, and delusions, hallucinations, and florid thought disorder as positive symptoms. Marked negative symptoms were found to occur in a subgroup of schizophrenic subjects at followup, but were infrequent in depressed subjects. Educational difficulties and poor social functioning before initial hospitalization were associated with later negative symptoms at followup for schizophrenic subjects. Negative symptoms were also related to concurrent outcome measures of instrumental and social functioning at followup. Contrary to some hypotheses, negative and positive symptoms, when assessed concurrently, were not at opposite ends of a bipolar continuum. Rather, they appeared to be independent phenomena in schizophrenia during the early posthospital phase. Overall, these results suggest that negative symptoms are important for a subgroup of schizophrenic patients during the early course of their disorder and that they have important correlates with specific aspects of role functioning.

Adolescent↗

Shortening hospital stay for psychiatric care: effect on patients and their families.

A one-year cohort of patients from a defined catchment area with acute functional disorders were allocated at random to brief care (experimental group) or standard care (control group) in hospital to examine the effect of shortening hospital stay on the clinical and social functioning of patients and the distress abnormal functioning caused to others. A total of 127 patients were interviewed on entry to the study, and 106 were followed up. The brief care group had significantly shorter mean and median lengths of stay than the control group, but there was no difference between the groups in the number of days spent in hospital during subsequent admissions. The groups were well matched for clinical and social variables. Rates of improvement over 13 weeks were essentially the same by all measures of outcome, including the Present State Examination and Patient's Behaviour Assessment Scale, which was developed for the study to measure deterioration in behaviour and social functioning and adverse effects and distress on others. There was no difference between the two groups in burden to the community supporting services, social security requirements, or GP attendances. Improvement rates were nearly identical on all measures within and across diagnostic subgroups. Brief care resulted in a 33% reduction in average length of stay compared with the year before but was associated with a corresponding increase in day hospital use. The short-stay policy continued the year after the study finished.The findings confirm the value of shortening hospital stay and improving day care facilities for most localities.

Attitude↗

Social disability in chronic psychiatric patients.

The authors measured the social functioning of 147 chronic psychiatric patients using a rating scale originally devised for use with the mentally retarded, the Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS). They found that social deficits were more widespread and generally more severe among chronic psychiatric patients than among institutionalized mentally subjects. Chronic undifferentiated schizophrenic patients showed the most comprehensive deterioration; other groups, such as neurotic patients, women, and the elderly, had more limited impairments. The authors suggest that the ABS can be useful in establishing the limits of social functioning of chronic psychiatric patients.

Adult↗

Psychosocial and cultural influences on cardiovascular health and quality of life among Hispanic cardiac patients in South Florida.

This study examined whether psychosocial and cultural factors were related to four dimensions of cardiac-related quality of life (global, physical, emotional, and social functioning) in 120 Hispanic coronary heart disease (CHD) outpatients in south Florida. Survey data were collected on sociodemographic (age, gender, socioeconomic status), psychosocial (depression, social support), and cultural factors (acculturation, familism, fatalism), and quality of life. Medical data on CHD severity (New York Heart Association class, time since diagnosis) were obtained from patients' clinic records. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that women and patients with more severe CHD had poorer quality of life than men or patients with less severe CHD. Psychosocial and cultural factors were associated with poorer quality of life after controlling for sociodemographic and medical variables: Depression was associated with all four quality of life dimensions (p < .001); and fatalism (p < .05) was associated with lower social functioning in women. These findings identify Hispanic subgroups with poor cardiac-related quality of life that can benefit from special outreach.

Acculturation↗

North Wales randomized controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy for acute schizophrenia spectrum disorders: outcomes at 6 and 12 months.

BACKGROUND: Recent reviews of randomized controlled trials have concluded that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is effective, as an addition to standard care, in the treatment of people suffering from schizophrenia. Most of the trials have been conducted with stabilized out-patients. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT for in-patients suffering acute psychotic episodes, when delivered under conditions representative of current clinical practice. METHOD: Consecutive admissions meeting criteria were recruited. After screening, 43 were assigned at random to a treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group and 47 were assigned to TAU plus CBT. At baseline, 6 months and 12 months, patients were rated on symptoms and social functioning. CBT (maximum 25 sessions) began immediately after baseline assessment. RESULTS: The CBT group gained greater benefit than the TAU group on symptoms and social functioning. A larger proportion of the CBT group (60%) than the TAU group (40%) showed reliable and clinically important change, and none of them (v. 17%) showed reliable deterioration compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS: CBT for patients suffering acute psychotic episodes can produce significant benefits when provided under clinically representative conditions.

Acute Disease↗

Psychosocial functioning during the year following severe traumatic brain injury.

The psychosocial functioning of a group of 65 adults with severe traumatic brain injury was assessed at 6 months and 1 year post-injury. Aspects of emotional, behavioural, and social functioning were investigated. The prevalence of depression remained constant (24%) over time, although there was some individual variation in the reporting of symptoms. Impatience was the most frequently reported behavioural problem at both assessments. Whilst there was a slight increase in the number of behavioural problems and level of distress reported over time, the most obvious change was in the type of behavioural problems that caused distress. At 1 year post-injury, problems with emotional control were found to be most distressing for the patients. A comparison with pre-morbid social functioning showed the loss of employment to be 70%, 30% returned to live with their parents, and relationship breakdown occurred for 38%. There was also a significant and ongoing decrease in all five aspects of social and leisure activities.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Design of institutions: cognitive functioning and social interactions of the aged resident.

Older people experience sensory, cognitive, and social deficits that adversely affect their interaction with the environment. Design of institutions for the elderly resident should be prosthetic to ensure that environments optimally accommodate the functioning of the residents. The sensory and cognitive state of the residents should be considered in every facility. This review discusses how sensory and cognitive changes in aging affect orientation and wayfinding as well as how the physical aspects of the environment can accommodate these changes to reduce confusion and disorientation. Environmental features that promote social interaction are reviewed. Because the environmental needs and unique characteristics of the cognitively impaired resident differs from that of the nonimpaired resident, special issues in the design of facilities for demented residents are reviewed. Conclusions are offered with regard to research needs and applied problems.

Aged↗

An evaluation of treatment outcome for psychiatrically hospitalized adults.

The need for well-conducted outcome studies has become more critical in recent years due to the increasing demands of third-party payers for demonstrations of the efficacy of inpatient psychiatric treatment. This study evaluated whether or not improvements made by psychiatric inpatients during hospitalization were maintained following discharge. Patients were evaluated with measures assessing psychiatric symptomatology, social functioning, and satisfaction with treatment. These measures were administered at admission, discharge, and three and six months following discharge. Results indicated that improvements in symptomatology and social functioning were maintained three and six months postdischarge. However, patients reported less satisfaction with treatment three months after discharge than they reported at the time of discharge.

Adult↗

Comparison of characteristics between geriatric and younger subjects with schizophrenia in community.

Relatively little is known about the different characteristics of non-institutionalized geriatric and younger subjects with schizophrenia. This study compared demographic and clinical characteristics of all the geriatric, middle-age and young subjects with schizophrenia living in a Chinese rural community. Geriatric (age >/= 65 years) (N = 51), middle-age (age 41-64 years) (N = 263) and young subjects with schizophrenia (age 15-40 years) (N = 196) in a rural community were assessed with the Present State Examination and Social Disability Screening Schedule. Age at first onset was significantly older in geriatric male and female groups. While there were no significant differences of negative symptoms among the three groups, the rates of lifetime nuclear syndrome were significantly lower in geriatric subjects compared to the other two groups. Geriatric subjects were less likely to have been hospitalized (9.8%) than middle-age (19.0%) and younger subjects (24.8%). Although the duration of illness was significantly longer in geriatric subjects than in the other two groups, the clinical outcome was significantly better in the geriatric group and social functioning scores were similar among the three groups. Geriatric subjects were more likely to be female, with longer duration of illness, fewer "core" symptoms, relatively stable social functioning and clinical outcome. The pathogenesis and psychopathology of geriatric subjects may be different compared to younger subjects with schizophrenia.

Adolescent↗

Satisfaction after contralateral prophylactic mastectomy: the significance of mastectomy type, reconstructive complications, and body appearance.

PURPOSE: Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is one option for reducing the risk of a second breast cancer in women with a personal and family history of breast cancer. Few data are available regarding satisfaction, psychological, and social function after CPM. The purpose of this research is to evaluate women's long-term satisfaction with CPM, factors influencing satisfaction, and psychological and social function after CPM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive study of all women with a family history of breast cancer, known to be alive, who elected CPM at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) between 1960 and 1993 (n = 621). Ninety-four percent of the women (n = 583) completed a study-specific questionnaire. RESULTS: A mean of 10.3 years after the procedure, the majority of women (83%) were satisfied with their CPM. A smaller number were neutral (8%) or dissatisfied (9%). Women who had a subcutaneous mastectomy had more problems with reconstruction, and fewer of these women were satisfied than women with simple mastectomy. Decreased satisfaction with CPM was associated with decreased satisfaction with appearance, complications with reconstruction, reconstruction after CPM, and increased level of stress in life. The majority of women experienced no change or favorable effects in self-esteem (83%), level of stress in life (83%), and emotional stability (88%). Satisfaction with body appearance, feelings of femininity, and sexual relationships were the most adversely affected with 33%, 26%, and 23% of the women responding negatively. CONCLUSION: Although most women are satisfied with CPM, each woman should weigh the benefits alongside the potential adverse effects.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Quality of life in focal, segmental, and generalized dystonia.

The objective of this study was to assess quality of life (QoL) in a community-based sample of people with various forms of dystonia and to identify the factors that predict QoL in dystonia. QoL was assessed using two generic questionnaires: the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF36) and the EuroQol questionnaire. A host of demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables were measured to identify the best predictors of QoL in dystonia. A comparison of EuroQol and SF36 scores with the norms for the general UK population of similar age showed that people with dystonia had scores indicative of worse QoL on all domains, particularly those related to physical and social functioning. The impairment of QoL was seen in all age groups and was similar for men and women. Compared to the focal dystonia group, participants with generalized dystonia scored significantly worse on all QoL measures. Participants who were unemployed also scored significantly worse. There was also a trend for younger and separated/divorced participants to score worse on QoL measures. A stepwise regression analysis revealed that functional disability, body concept, and depression were important predictors of QoL in dystonia. Dystonia influences various aspects of QoL, particularly those related to physical and social functioning. The impairment of QoL was greater for participants with generalized dystonia, those who were unemployed, younger, and separated/divorced. Functional disability, body concept, and depression were the best predictors of QoL in dystonia. Efforts to improve health care for people with dystonia should not only focus on management of the movement disorder but also consider modifying functional disability and negative body concept and depression that contribute to poor QoL in this disorder.

Adult↗

Quality of life in bed partners of patients with obstructive sleep apnea or hypopnea after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been shown to affect the quality of life (QOL) in patients, and QOL improves after treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). However, the effects on the bed partner of the patient with OSA have received little attention. We studied QOL in patients with OSA and their bed partners, and the effect of CPAP therapy on QOL. DESIGN: Fifty-four patients and their bed partners who had been seen for evaluation of OSA, had undergone polysomnography, and subsequently had received treatment with CPAP. Patients and bed partners completed the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and QOL questionnaires before and after the patients' therapy. SETTING: Sleep disorders center in an academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with documented OSA and regular bed partners. INTERVENTIONS: Both individuals completed the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), the ESS, and the Calgary sleep apnea quality of life index (SAQLI). At about 6 weeks after CPAP therapy, patients and their bed partners completed the same set of questionnaires again. RESULTS: Of the 54 subjects who completed the study, the mean (+/- SD) apnea-hypopnea index was 48.4 +/- 33.3. For the subjects, the mean ESS decreased from 12.9 +/- 4.4 to 7.3 +/- 4.0 (p < 0.001) after treatment with CPAP. For the bed partners, the mean ESS decreased from 7.4 +/- 6.1 to 5.8 +/- 4.7 (p = 0.02). The mean scores on the SAQLI were 4.1 +/- 1.0 for the subjects and 4.5 +/- 1.3 for the bed partners. Following CPAP therapy, the SAQLI increased in the subjects to 4.9 +/- 1.2 (p < 0.001), and in the bed partners to 5.1 +/- 0.9 (p = 0.002). The SF-36 showed positive changes in both the subjects and the bed partners. Significant improvements were observed in the subjects in role-physical, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health domains. In the bed partners, significant changes in the SF-36 were observed in role-physical, vitality, social functioning, and mental health domains. CONCLUSION: OSA results in impaired QOL in both the patients and their bed partners. Treatment with CPAP improves QOL, as measured by the SF-36 and the SAQLI.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Quality of life assessment in Thai postmenopausal women with an overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of life (QoL) among 3 groups of Thai postmenopausal women with an overactive bladder (OAB), diabetes, and without these conditions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total cross-sectional cohort of 180 postmenopausal women aged 48-60 years (60 had OAB, 60 diabetes and 60 controls) were recruited from the menopause clinic and diabetes clinic of Hatyai regional hospital between June and December 2003. Information on QoL were collected by the SF-36 questionnaire, validated for Thai women. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the patient's demographic characteristics. All dimensions of QoL score of women with OAB and diabetes were lower than the scores of the controls. When compared with diabetes, OAB had significantly lower scores in the general health, social function and role-function emotional dimensions. CONCLUSION: QoL was significantly impaired in Thai postmenopausal women with OAB and diabetes compared to those women without these conditions. General health, social function and role-function emotional dimensions were particularly affected.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

Potentially modifiable factors associated with disability among people with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This article seeks to identify potentially modifiable factors associated with disability among people with diabetes. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Among people with diabetes (N = 4357) in a large health maintenance organization, disease severity, psychologic and behavioral risk factors for disability were assessed. Disability was evaluated by the WHO Disability Assessment Scale (WHO-DAS-II), the SF-36 Social Functioning scale, and days of reduced household work. RESULTS: Depression was associated with a tenfold increase in elevated WHO-DAS-II and low SF-36 Social Functioning scores, and a fourfold increase in 20+ days of reduced household work. Minor depression and the presence of three or more diabetic complications were associated with approximately a twofold increase in disability risk. Diabetic symptoms, chronic disease comorbidity, and reduced exercise were also associated with disability. CONCLUSION: Among people with diabetes, depression, diabetic complications, and exercise are potentially modifiable factors associated with disability. This suggests that integrated, biopsychosocial approaches may be needed to understand and to ameliorate disability among people with diabetes.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Persistence of restrictions in quality of life from the first to the third year after diagnosis in women with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess whether detriments in quality of life (QOL) among women with breast cancer persist over years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: QOL was assessed in a population-based cohort of 314 women with breast cancer from Saarland (Germany) 1 and 3 years after diagnosis and compared internally and with reference data from the general population. RESULTS: Three years after diagnosis, deficits in QOL were still apparent for role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning and for the symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, dyspnea, and financial difficulties. Differences between breast cancer patients and women from the general population were predominantly found in younger ages. Compared with the QOL scores measured 1 year after diagnosis, only minor functional changes were observed, but recurrence of breast cancer during the follow-up interval had a deleterious effect on QOL. CONCLUSION: Deficits in role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning persist over years in women with breast cancer and predominantly affect younger patients.

Adult↗

Alcohol expectancies and social deficits relating to problem drinking among college students.

Standardized questionnaires were administered to 116 male and female undergraduates to examine how social deficits and alcohol expectancies relate to alcohol use. Participants were classified as either problem or nonproblem drinkers based on the Rutgers Collegiate Substance Abuse Screening Test. Problem drinkers reported experiencing social anxiety, shyness, and lower self-esteem to a greater extent than nonproblem drinkers. Problem drinkers also held more positive alcohol expectancies than nonproblem drinkers. Contrary to our hypotheses, however, particular types of alcohol expectancies did not interact with specific areas of social functioning to influence problem drinking. Overall, these findings suggest that problem drinkers have positive expectations about the immediate effects of alcohol consumption even though drinking is linked to long-term impairment in social functioning.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗

Frontline treatment of combat stress reaction: a 20-year longitudinal evaluation study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term (20-year) effectiveness of frontline treatment provided to combat stress reaction casualties. METHOD: A longitudinal quasi-experimental design was employed. Participants were combat stress reaction casualties of the 1982 Lebanon War who received frontline treatment (N=79), comparable combat stress reaction casualties who did not receive frontline treatment (N=156), and matched soldiers who did not experience combat stress reaction (N=194). Subjects were asked which of the frontline treatment principles (proximity, immediacy, expectancy) were applied in their treatment, whether or not they returned to their unit after frontline treatment, and if so, whether they returned before or after they felt completely recovered. Outcome assessments included measures of posttraumatic and psychiatric symptoms and of social functioning. RESULTS: Twenty years after the war, traumatized soldiers who received frontline treatment had lower rates of posttraumatic and psychiatric symptoms, experienced less loneliness, and reported better social functioning than similarly traumatized soldiers who did not receive frontline treatment. In addition, a cumulative effect of application of frontline treatment principles was documented: the more principles applied, the stronger the effect on psychiatric outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Frontline treatment is associated with improved outcomes even two decades after its application. This treatment may also be effective for nonmilitary precursors of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Predictors of health care utilization in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: To predict health care utilization in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: The health care utilization of 222 consecutive IBD patients was studied twice over the course of one year. Utilization consisted of medical care, including visits to the gastroenterologist and the general practitioner, and non-medical care, including use of a psychotherapist, a dietitian or home care nurse in the last six months. Prior and concurrent socio-demographic, disease-related and psychosocial factors were measured and their association with patient health care utilization was determined. RESULTS: Poor quality of life, disease burden experienced and depression were significantly (P < 0.01) associated with more visits to both gastroenterologist and GP. Disease activity was found to be significantly correlated to gastroenterologist visits, while female gender was associated with GP visits. Other socio-demographic and disease-related factors were not related to medical care utilization. Results of regression analysis indicated that prior disease burden experienced, social functioning and female sex are the best predictors of physician visits a year later. Of the concurrent factors, the best predictors were disease activity, emotional and social functioning, and disease burden experienced. Psychotherapy and home care were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with co-morbidity, disease activity, quality of life and depression. Non-medical care utilization was not related to the majority of sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial factors, such as poor quality of life and disease burden experienced, are important predictors of health care utilization in IBD patients. Addressing these problems should not only increase the patient's quality of life, but also minimize health care utilization.

Adult↗