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Objective To evaluate family function and quality of life of Alzheimer′s disease( AD)caregivers. Methods Family APGAR index questionnaire,the short form-36(SF-36)questionnaire and the Chinese version of WHO quality of life scale-brief form questionnaire( WHOQOL-BREF)were used to evaluate family function and quality of life of 93 AD caregivers which were selected as case group. 87 ordinary family caregivers were selected as control group. Results A total of 47 AD caregivers(50. 54%)had family functional disorder and the proportion(26. 44%)was significantly higher than that of control group(P<0. 01). The total score and each factor score of APGAR and WHOQOL-BREF were significantly lower than those of control group(P<0. 01)while the same differences were found for factor scores by SF-36 such as physiological function,general health,social function,emotional function and mental health. Conclusion The family function,health status and quality of life are severely damaged among AD caregivers.
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Objective To evaluate the prevalence of depression,anxiety and suicide behavior in patients suffering from tuberculosis in Hangzhou and to explore their relationship with medication adherence. Methods Demographic characteristics,self-rating anxiety scale (SAS),the center for epidemiological studies -depression (CESD),social support rating scale (SSRS),suicide behavior information and the morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS)were investigated in 973 tuberculosis patients who were selected by systematic random sampling.Results The means of SAS and CESD were 39.71 ±8.30 and 14.16 ±10.77 respectively,which were both higher than the norms(P<0.01).Totally 102 (10.48%)patients had anxiety and 333 (34.22%)were depressed.Out of 973 patients,60 (6.17%)reported suicide ideation after tuberculosis diagnosis.The prevalence of non -adherence was 20.55%,which was defined with MMAS score above one and more.The non -adherence group had higher anxiety,depression and suicide ideation prevalence than the adherence group (15.50%vs.9.18%,46.50%vs.30.66%,11.00%vs.4.92%respectively,P<0.01).The mean score of SSRS,subjective support,objective support and utilization of support in the non-adherence group were 30.71 ±5.15,4.61 ±2.07,19.74 ±4.55 and 6.34 ±1.93 respectively,which were 34.06 ±7.39,6.62 ± 2.27,20.67 ±5.27 and 6.77 ±2.23 in the adherence group respectively.SSRS and its three dimension scores were significantly lower in the non-adherence group than that in the adherence group (P<0.01).Conclusion These findings show a quite serious situation of psychological problems of tuberculosis patients in Hangzhou and suggest psychological intervention should be included in adherence intervention.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence and predictors of acute stress disorder (ASD) in the victims affected by Wenchuan earthquake in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A random clustered sampling method was used. Of 891 victims enrolled in the study, 874 were completely assessed with the ASD constructive questionnaire and diagnosed with DSM-IV criteria. Sociodemographic variables were obtained. Also, the major symptoms of ASD (i.e., general symptoms to a traumatic event; dissociative symptoms; re-experiencing symptoms; hyper-arousal symptoms; avoidance symptoms) were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence rate of ASD was 12.59% (110/874). The incidence rates of ASD for female and male were 15.16% (72/475) and 9.52% (38/399) respectively. There was a significant difference between female and male on the incidence rate of ASD (chi(2) = 6.26, P = 0.01). Logistic regression indicated that the ASD diagnosis was predicted by gender (beta = 0.58, P = 0.01, OR = 1.79), the condition of casualties of family members (beta = 0.60, P = 0.01, OR = 1.82), and the condition of sharp properties loss (beta = 1.02, P = 0.01, OR = 2.76).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The major earthquake should have great influence on mental health of victims. The efforts to reduce casualties and property loss might help to prevent ASD. Further research is needed on gender difference among traumatic events.</p>