Self-Evaluation, Coping, and Depressive Affect in African American Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Selective evaluation theory suggests that when individuals are faced with a threat such as a chronic illness they may compare themselves to less fortunate others, worse times, or hypothetical worse worlds to help cope with the threat. Research testing this model has demonstrated that these downward comparisons are associated with better psychological functioning. Although the assumption that upward comparisons are associated with poorer psychological functioning is implicitly stated in the selective evaluation theory, systematic research has not been conducted to test this hypothesis. To examine this question and to extend the generalizability of the selective evaluation theory, patients with sickle cell disease were asked to rate the frequency of use of both downward and upward comparisons when they have sickle cell disease pain and to rate their level of depressive affect. The results demonstrated that self-evaluation style accounts for a significant amount of variance in patients' level of depressive affect over and above demographic, pain, and disease-related variables. Moreover, as predicted, upward comparison was associated with higher levels of depressive affect and downward comparison was associated with lower levels of depressive affect.     

Psychological and behavioral aspects of complex regional pain syndrome management

Psychological and behavioral factors can exacerbate the pain and dysfunction associated with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and could help maintain the condition in some patients. Effective management of CRPS requires that these psychosocial and behavioral aspects be addressed as part of an integrated multidisciplinary treatment approach. Well-controlled studies to guide the development of a psychological approach to CRPS management are not currently available. A sequenced protocol for psychological care in CRPS is therefore proposed based on available data and clinical experience. Regardless of the duration of the condition, all CRPS patients and their families should receive education about the negative effects of disuse, the pathophysiology of the syndrome, and possible interactions with psychological/behavioral factors. Patients with acute CRPS (<6-8 weeks) may not need additional psychological care. All patients with chronic CRPS should receive a thorough psychological evaluation, followed by cognitive-behavioral pain management treatment, including relaxation training with biofeedback. Patients making insufficient overall treatment progress or in whom comorbid psychiatric disorders/major ongoing life stressors are identified should additionally receive general cognitive-behavioral therapy to address these issues. The psychological component of treatment can work synergistically with medical and physical/occupational therapies to improve function and increase patients' ability to manage the condition successfully.     

Pain catastrophizing and social support in married individuals with chronic pain: the moderating role of pain duration

In the current study, 96 married chronic pain patients were recruited from the community to test hypotheses about the roles of catastrophizing and psychological distress in relation to perceived support from close others. It was expected that pain duration would moderate the relationship between catastrophizing and perceived support and between catastrophizing and psychological distress. In addition, distress was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between the pain duration-catastrophizing interaction and support. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that pain duration interacted with catastrophizing such that at shorter pain durations, pain catastrophizing was related to more perceived solicitous spouse responses; however no such relationship existed for patients with longer pain durations. In contrast, catastrophizing was significantly related to less perceived spousal support (i.e. support not specific to pain) in patients with longer durations of pain whereas no significant relationship existed for patients with shorter pain durations. Pain duration did not interact with catastrophizing in relating to psychological distress, which precluded the examination of distress as a mediator between the pain duration-catastrophizing interaction and support. Moreover, psychological distress did not significantly mediate the relationships between pain catastrophizing and perceived support. These findings are discussed in the context of cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal perspectives of pain.     

Differential effects of age and illness duration on pain-depression and disability-depression relationships in rheumatoid arthritis

We examined the differential effects of age and illness duration on pain—depression and disability—depression relationships in a sample of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Consistent with existing literature, main effect results indicated that shorter illness duration and greater perceived pain and functional disability all related to increased levels of depression. More importantly, multiple regression analyses revealed that illness duration moderated the observed disability—depression relationship. Specifically, perceived functional disability exerted a greater negative impact on levels of depression in patients with relatively shorter illness durations compared to patients with longer illness durations. Neither age nor illness duration moderated the association between pain and depression. In general, our findings suggest that age and illness duration differentially influence pain—depression and disability—depression relationships in RA. We conclude the paper with a discussion of treatment implications of our findings for persons with RA.     

The complex interplay between pain intensity,depression, anxiety and catastrophising with respect to quality of life and disability

Purpose. To identify subgroups of patients with chronic pain based on the occurrence of depression, anxiety and catastrophising and the duration of pain and pain intensity. In addition to this, the relationship between the subgroups with respect to background variables, diagnosis, pain-related disability and perceived quality of life are investigated.

Methods. This study used 433 patients with chronic pain including 47 patients with spinal cord injury-related pain, 150 with chronic whiplash associated disorders and 236 with fibromyalgia. The participants answered a postal questionnaire that provided background data, pain intensity and duration and psychological and health-related items.

Results. On the basis of depression, anxiety, catastrophising, pain intensity and duration, we identified subgroups of patients with chronic pain that differed with respect to perceived quality of life, disability and diagnosis. The psychological factors, especially depression, significantly influenced perceived quality of life and disability. Pain intensity and duration play a minor role with respect to quality of life, although pain intensity is associated to perceived disability.

Conclusions. The results of this study highlight the importance of not looking at patients with chronic pain as a homogenous entity. A detailed assessment, including psychological factors with emphasis on depressive symptoms, might be essential for planning and carrying through treatment and rehabilitation.     

Sexual dysfunction and chronic pain: the role of psychological variables and impact on quality of life

We report two studies examining the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, and the role of psychological variables, including quality of life, on sexual activity in patients at the commencement of an outpatient cognitive-behavioural pain management programme. In Study 1, 151 patients with non-cancer pain, predominantly of musculoskeletal origin, completed a range of standardised measures, including the Pain Disability Index, Beck Depression Inventory and Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Sexual dysfunction was common, and using stepwise multiple regression analysis was found to be more frequently reported by those with greater disability and depression, shorter pain duration, and infrequent use of coping self-statements. Study 2 was a pilot investigation of the impact of sexual dysfunction on quality of life (as measured by the WHOQOL-100) in a similar sample (n=41). Although sexual dysfunction was again commonly reported, subjects perceived it had less importance in quality of life than did other factors. The combined results support the previously proposed notion of adaptation to the impact of chronic illness on sexual function. In conclusion, sexual dysfunction is common in this population and is predicted by psychological factors and pain duration. However, other issues impact more significantly on quality of life. Therapeutic approaches to sexual dysfunction in these patients might best be focused on improving psychological factors, particularly depression and coping skills.     

Physical and social correlates of perceived psychological support among hospitalized AIDS patients

Persons living with HIV disease are faced with a broad array of physical and psychosocial problems across the trajectory of their illness Almost all will be hospitalized for nursing care during the course of their disease The purpose of this study was to explore the physical health and social correlates of perceived psychological support among hospitalized AIDS patients The sample consisted of 168 AIDS patients hospitalized with Pneumocystis carinu pneumonia (PCP) Each patient rated his or her psychological support and physical condition on a scale of 1–10 Self-care ability was measured by the Quality Audit Marker Physiological and social variables were obtained from an audit of the patient record Stepwise regression analysis by sets indicated that only 12% of the variance was explained by the antecedent variables of physical health (self-care ability, white blood count, perception of physical condition, and first PCP admission) and social (living alone and insurance status) correlates Self-care ability and living alone were found to be significant predictors of self-rating of perceived psychological support in this sample Further research is needed in the area of perceived psychological support among hospitalized AIDS patients as a basis for providing quality nursing care     

How a clock can change your pain? The illusion of duration and pain perception

The intensity of experimental pain is known to be dependent on stimulation duration. However, it remains unknown whether this effect arises largely from the actual stimulus duration or is substantially influenced by the subject’s perception of the stimulus duration. In the present study, we questioned this issue by misleading the perception of the duration of pain in a population of 36 healthy volunteers stimulated with a thermode. To this aim, time was signified by a clock with rotating hands in which imperceptible differences in speed rotation had been introduced. Subjects were therefore immersed in 2 comparative conditions in which time was manipulated to provide the illusion of either long or short duration of the painful stimulus. In a first condition (“full-length” clock), participants were instructed that pain would last for a complete revolution of the clock’s hands, whereas in the second condition (“shortened” clock), revolution was reduced by 25%. Although the intensity and the real duration of stimulation were identical in both conditions, the intensity of pain was significantly reduced when the perception of time was misleadingly shortened by the manipulated clock. This study suggests that the perceived duration of a noxious stimulation may influence the perceived intensity of pain.     

The contribution of pain and depression to self-reported sleep disturbance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this article is to assess the contribution of disease activity, pain, and psychological factors to self-reported sleep disturbance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to evaluate whether depression mediates the effects of pain on sleep disturbance. The sample included 106 patients with confirmed RA who participated in an assessment of their disease activity, pain, psychological functioning, and sleep disturbance during a baseline evaluation prior to participating in a prospective study to help them manage their RA. Self-measures included the Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology, the SF-36 Pain Scale, the Helplessness and Internality Subscales of the Arthritis Helplessness Index, the Active and Passive Pain Coping Scales of the Pain Management Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis confirmed that higher income, pain, internality, and depression contributed independently to higher sleep disturbance. A mediational analysis demonstrated that depression acted as a significant mechanism through which pain contributed to sleep disturbance. Cross-sectional findings indicate that pain and depression play significant roles in self-reported sleep disturbance among patients with RA. The data suggest the importance of interventions that target pain and depression to improve sleep in this medical condition.     

Veränderung des Schmerzkonzepts bei chronischen Schmerzpatienten durch Einsatz eines edukativen Videofilms

The aim of the study was to evaluate an educational video designed to modify the pain concept of chronic pain patients. It is commonly described that chronic pain patients foster an illness model which is dominated by purely medical assumptions about causes of pain and its modulation and treatment. Furthermore the mostly unrealistic hope for total pain relief which is expected from the pain expert guides the patients' seek for help. These concepts are most probable very dysfunctional in a multidisciplinary pain management setting, where psychological interventions are important elements of the treatment. Therefore the video was designed to initiate changes in the patient's attitude towards a multimodal model of pain. The educational pain video was evaluated in an experimental design using a control group to whom a different video on a health related topic (nutrition) was presented. The Ss participating in the study were 47 chronic pain patients of a pain ambulance and 42 patients of a pain clinic (inpatient setting). The results showed that after viewing the pain video the groups differed significantly in their pain concept as predicted. The use of an educational video, like the one evaluated, seems useful to initiate first steps in illness concept modification by expanding and enriching the patients attitude by assumptions about the influence of psychological factors on pain maintenance and management and shaping realistic attitudes towards treatment.     

Implicit Identification with Illness in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Identification with pain has been linked to symptom severity in chronic pain conditions. However, the role of identification with illness in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is unknown. We investigated whether participants with IBS show identification with illness and if the degree of illness identification is related to IBS symptom severity and additional physical and psychological variables. In this cross-sectional study, 42 participants with IBS and 41 healthy participants completed an Implicit Association Test (IAT) to measure their level of identification with illness and health. Data on illness duration, explicit illness associations, IBS severity, depression, anxiety, stress and additional symptoms were obtained. IBS participants scored significantly lower on identification with health than healthy participants. The level of health identification was negatively correlated with ‘Nonspecific Somatic Symptoms’. Reduced health identification may be a maintaining factor of IBS that could be targeted with psychological treatments to reduce symptoms. Further, it may be possible to use the IAT to monitor the course of recovery.     

Patient and caregiver counselling after the intensive care unit: what are the needs and how should they be met?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To examine current research on the psychological needs of both patients and their families following critical illness, and discuss how these may be met in a cost-effective manner. RECENT FINDINGS: Patients and their families have significant psychological problems following critical illness. To date, very few intensive care units have specialist psychological services to help with the aftermath of the illness experience. There are promising simple therapeutic interventions, such as intensive care unit diaries, that may be beneficial, but which require further research at present. SUMMARY: Currently, there is an awareness of the psychological sequelae of critical illness for patients and their family caregivers, and with this a responsibility to assess and appropriately help those who are unable to manage their distress. The development and application of specialist psychological services after an episode of critical illness, possibly using a stepped care model, is in its infancy. There are a few centres of excellence that are currently employing these resources, but the vast majority of patients and their families are left to cope on their own. This lack of psychological support has important implications for long-term recovery and quality of life following the episode of critical illness.     

Managing pain in older persons who receive home-help for their daily living. Perceptions by older persons and care providers

Pain is a common problem for older persons who need professional help for their daily living. In this study 94 older persons (75+) in persistent pain were compared with 52 care providers concerning the pain management methods they had used/administered during the previous week and how helpful they perceived these methods to be. Interviews were based on 16 items from the original version of the pain management inventory (PMI). Both groups perceived prescribed medication, rest and distraction as the most frequently utilized methods. Specific methods such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or bracing/splinting or bandaging the affected body part were seldom employed, although most users perceived these methods as helpful. Care providers perceived most methods for managing pain as more effective than older persons did. The results imply that care providers need skills in a variety of pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods to manage pain and a need to evaluate effectiveness of the methods in a systematic way.     

Quality of life of cancer patients receiving inpatient and home-based palliative care

AIMS: This paper reports a comparative study of the symptom experience, physical and psychological health, perceived control of the effects of cancer and quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients receiving inpatient and home-based palliative care, and the factors that predict quality of life. BACKGROUND: Quality of life is a major goal in the care of patients with terminal cancer. In addition to symptom management, psychological care and provision of support, being cared for at home is considered an important determinant of patient well-being. A more comprehensive understanding of the impact of cancer on patients and their families will inform the delivery of palliative care services. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with terminal cancer (32 inpatients, 26 home-based) were recruited from major palliative care centres in Australia in 1999. A structured questionnaire designed to obtain sociodemographic information, medical details and standard measures of symptoms, physical and psychological health, personal control and quality of life was administered by personal interview. RESULTS: The two groups were similar on most demographic measures, although more home-care patients were married, of Australian descent and had private health insurance cover. The most prevalent symptoms reported were weakness, fatigue, sleeping during the day and pain. Patients receiving home-based services had statistically significantly less symptom severity and distress, lower depression scores, and better physical health and quality of life than those receiving inpatient care. Home-care patients also reported statistically significantly more control over the effects of their illness, medical care and treatment received, and the course of the disease. Multiple regression analyses showed that better global physical health, greater control over the effects of cancer and lower depression scores were statistically significant predictors of higher quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The main issues arising from the findings for nurses are the early detection and management of both physical and psychological symptoms, particularly fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression, and the need to use strategies that will empower patients to have a greater sense of control over their illness and treatment. Research is needed to identify other factors that may impact on quality of life, and to establish the extent to which inpatient and home-based care meets the needs of both the patient with terminal cancer and their family.     

Illness uncertainty,perceived control,and psychological distress among adolescents with type 1 diabetes

This study examined the relationship between illness uncertainty, perceived control, and psychological distress among adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Sixty-eight adolescents age 13 to 18 years with type 1 diabetes completed the Children's Uncertainty in Illness Scale, the Perceived Control Scale Media Relations, and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Increased uncertainty was significantly associated with both decreased perceived control and increased psychological distress. Further analyses indicated that the relationship between illness uncertainty and psychological distress was direct and was not mediated or moderated by perceived control. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at managing uncertainty may help decrease psychological distress among adolescents with diabetes.     

重型颅脑损伤病人的观察和护理

[目的]总结重型颅脑损伤（SCI）病人临床观察护理经验,探讨临床观察及护理的措施与方法。[方法]选取我院2003年-2008年收治的200例重型颅脑损伤病人,根据入院后不同时期病情变化的特点,分析观察护理重点、难点及护理对预后的影响。[结果]经过有重点的观察病情变化,精心科学的护理工作,除16例死亡外,其余184例均治愈或好转。经过恢复期帮助病人进行康复锻炼、心理辅导,使其重获信心,回归社会。[结论]按照SCI病人病情进展变化特点分阶段护理,大大提高了病人的生存率,促进了病人身心康复,更好地适应了新型的生物-心理-社会医学模式。     

The relationship between pain drawings and the psychological state

Pain patients may be requested to complete pain charts as part of their evaluation at pain clinics. Inferences are made about the 'psychological content' of the patient's pain on the basis of the extent and distribution of the pain as illustrated in these drawings. In this study, the records of 328 patients from 4 distinct types of chronic pain service, were scored for how many body parts were included in the pain drawings and the percentage of body surface area involved. Four psychological instruments were used to quantify the psychological status of the patients. These included 2 measures of current psychological status (the General Health Questionnaire-28, and the Irritability/Depression and Anxiety Questionnaire), 1 measure of childhood quality (the Parental Bonding Index), and 1 measure of premorbid personality (the Hysteroid/Obsessoid Questionnaire). No significant correlation was found between the percentage of body surface area affected by pain, and the measures of childhood quality. Only very limited correlations were found between the percentage of the body surface area with pain and the measures of current psychological state and premorbid personality. Hence, strong emphasis should not be placed on the involvement of multiple areas as a sign of psychological illness.     

Patientenkollektiv deutscher schmerztherapeutischer Einrichtungen

Background

In 1998 the board of the DGSS introduced a computerized documentation system named QUAST (quality assurance in pain therapy) building the foundation for a large, anonymous database that served as a data source for the statistical characterization of clinically relevant profiles of patients in German pain clinics.

Methods

A total of 10,054 data files collected between 1998 and 2004, including socio-demographic as well as psychometric and pain parameters were analyzed.

Results

The main pain diagnoses found in the database sample were back pain (37%), neuropathic pain (21.4%), soft tissue or arthralgia pain (19.5%) and headache (10.6%). The average duration of illness upon presentation at pain clinics was 7 years, nearly 20% contacted it within the first year. Of the sample, 43.8% of the patients were in the second chronicity stage and 39.0% in the third stage of the Mainz Pain Staging System (MPSS). Psychological measurements concerning despression, pain disability and quality of life indicated a great amount of psychological distress. Pronounced differences between main diagnostic groups were observed not only for psychological factors but also for direct pain parameters.

Conclusions

The documented data differ from other population-based data collections. In contrast to common belief there are a considerable number of patients who find access to specialized pain therapy institutions at an early stage of their illness. The hitherto regular use of generic, syndrome-overlapping diagnosis and treatment tools should be reconsidered taking into account the differences found between the main pain diagnosis groups. Lastly, this analysis provides current data on the psychological state of chronic pain patients showing a high degree of psychological distress and underlying the need of psychotherapeutic interventions in the treatment of chronic pain patients.