Self-report of psychological symptoms in hypoparathyroidism patients on conventional therapy

ABSTRACT Objective: Hypoparathyroidism is characterized by parathyroid hormone deficiency and hypocalcemia. It has been demonstrated that these patients may also present psychiatric symptoms and decrease of quality of life. The aims of this study were to evaluate the presence of psychopathological symptoms in a cohort of patients with hypoparathyroidism and compare to a control group. Subjects and methods: Patients were submitted to a cross-sectional Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) questionnaire that evaluates psychopathological symptoms by means of the Global Severity Index (GSI), Positive Symptoms Total (PST) and Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI). A score based in the positive symptoms was calculated (T-score). The test group was composed of patients with hypoparathyroidism, and control by thyroidectomized patients without hypoparathyroidism. A correlation between the presence of psychological symptoms and clinical features was analyzed. Results: The study included 57 patients with a mean age of 51.1 ± 16.4 years; 20 as a control and 37, test group. There were no differences between groups regarding gender, mean age and age at diagnose. Hypoparathyroidism patients presented higher GSI index than the control group (p = 0.038). Mean T-score of the test group was as elevated as 58.2 ± 5.3 (reference range < 55). No correlation of the number of psychological symptoms to clinical and laboratorial parameters was observed. Conclusion: Patients with hypoparathyroidism attending our outpatient clinics presented an increase in the number of self-report of psychological symptoms when compared with a control group. However, no correlation with hypocalcemia and clinical parameters was observed. Future studies are necessary to evaluated if the absence of PTH play a role on it.

SCL-90 R: Distrés psicológico, género y conductas de riesgo / SCL-90 R: Psychological Distress, Gender and Risky Behaviors

Con base en una muestra probabilística de 466 estudiantes universitarios mexicanos, se explora la relación entre distrés psicológico y conductas de riesgo (consumo de sustancias, conductas sexuales, y ambas), en hombres y mujeres. Los resultados indican que el distrés psicológico presenta diferencias con mayor frecuencia en el caso de las mujeres que presentan consumo de drogas, tabaco y alcohol, o conductas que mezclan sexo y alcohol, y sexo y consumo de drogas, que en el caso de los hombres. Los hombres con actividad sexual ocasional presentan mayor distrés que aquellos que no presentan esta conducta. Como punto de partida, se explora la estructura factorial del SCL-90-R, coincidiendo en los resultados con los obtenidos por investigadores de otras latitudes; al parecer, el análisis factorial no soporta la estructura propuesta por los autores del instrumento.

Based on a probability sample of 466 Mexican college students, we want to find out if there is a relationship between psychological distress and risky behavior (drug-consuming, sexual behavior or both) between men and women. Results show that psychological distress presents more differences with women who consume drugs, tobacco and alcohol and who present behaviors which combine sex and alcohol more than men. Men with occasional sexual activity preset more distress than those who don't show this behavior. To begin, we explore the factorial structure of SCL-90-R observing the same results of those obtained by other researchers. It seems that the factor analysis doesn't support the structure proposed by the authors of the instrument.

Correlations between Neurologic and Psychiatric Symptoms in Acute Stroke Patients / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the correlations between neurological and psychiatric symptoms at two weeks after stroke. METHODS: For 412 stroke patients, stroke severity was evaluated by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), disability by the Barthel Index(BI) and modified Rankin Scale(mRS), cognitive function by the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination(K-MMSE), and muscle power by grip strength. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed by Symptom check list-90-Revision(SCL-90-R), consisted of nine symptom domains : Somatization, Obsessive-compulsive, Interpersonal sensitivity, Depression, Anxiety, Hostility, Phobic anxiety, Paranoid ideation, Psychoticism, and Additional items. The correlations between the neurological and psychiatric symptoms were investigated at the time of admission and before discharge(i.e. before and after treatment). RESULTS: At the time of admission, NIHSS score was associated with scores on Phobic anxiety and Additional items ; and scores on BI and mRS were associated with Depression, Phobic anxiety and Additional items. At the time of discharge, NIHSS score was associated with scores on Somatization, Depression, Phobic anxiety, and Additional items ; scores on BI and mRS were associated with scores on Depression, Phobic anxiety and Additional items ; MMSE score was associated with Obsessive-compulsive, Depression, Phobic anxiety, and Additional items ; and grip strength was associated with Somatization, Depression, Anxiety and Additional items. CONCLUSIONS: More severe neurological symptoms were associated with higher psychiatric morbidity particularly in depression, phobic anxiety, sleep and appetite disturbance at acute stage of stroke. More intensive psychiatric care and intervention are needed for the high risk group.

Violencia de pareja y salud de las mujeres que consultan a las comisarías de familia, Cali, Colombia / Partner violence and women’s health reported to the family commissaries in Cali, Colombia

La violencia de pareja es un problema de salud pública y el modelo para manejo de síntomas fue el marco conceptual que guía este estudio. Objetivo: medir el efecto de la violencia de pareja sobre la salud mental de las mujeres que consultan a las comisarías de familia de Cali. Metodología: diseño analítico, transversal, con mujeres que denuncian violencia de pareja en las comisarías de familia de Cali, Colombia. Se aplican la Lista de Chequeo de Síntomas de Distres SCL-90R y las Escalas de Tácticas de Resolución de Conflictos y de Resiliencia. Resultados: la muestra de 100 mujeres adultas que denuncian violencia de pareja presentó un Índice Global de Severidad de Síntomas de 1,36; un Índice de Distrés de Síntomas Positivos de 2,27, y puntajes altos en las nueve dimensiones de síntomas psicológicos. En la comparación con muestras normativas de pacientes siquiátricas ambulatorias no se aprecian diferencias significativas para la mayoría de los índices. El 60% de las mujeres presentan síndrome de estrés postraumático. Discusión: los hallazgos son preocupantes por la similitud con las muestras normativas de pacientes siquiátricas ambulatorias; las mujeres de nuestro estudio presentan una necesidad de cuidado que les permita adquirir o desarrollar sus recursos personales y externos para salir adelante.

Partner’s violence is a public health problem. Symptom management is the theoretical framework guiding this study. The research question is: what is the effect of partner`s violence on women’s mental health reporting it to the Cali, Colombia Family Commssaries? Objective: to measure the effect of partner’ s violence on women’s mental health asking help to the Family Commissaries of Cali, Colombia. Methodology: cross-sectional design with a sample of women that denounce their situation to the Family Commissaries of Cali. The Check List of Symptom -SCL-90R, the Conflict Resolution Tactics and the Resilience scales are applied. Results: the sample comprises 100 women. The Global Distress Index is 1.36; the Distress Index for Positive Symptom is 2.27; nine dimensions of symptoms obtain high scores. Comparison with normative samples of psychiatric out-patients do not show statistical significant differences for most of the indexes; 60% of women present post-traumatic stress disorder. Discussion: the findings are similar to normative samples from psychiatric out – patients. The partner’s violence effect on mental health is considerable and calls for action. Women have needs related with care. They need help to gain or develop personal skills and external resources to handle partner’s violence.

Resultados preliminares de la medición del cambio terapéutico en una unidad de dependencias complejas de un hospital psiquiátrico / Preliminary outcomes in therapeutical change assessment in a detoxification unit from a psychiatric hospital

Se estudió cambio terapéutico y sintomatológico en una unidad de desintoxicación para adicciones, de un hospital psiquiátrico, con pacientes internados durante 28 días. Método: Se aplicaron dos instrumentos de medición de cambio clínico y sintomatológico; el SCL-90-r y el OQ-45.2 a 85 pacientes un mes antes de ingresar (preacogida), 51 al ingreso y 38 al alta. Se los diferenció por sexo y edad. Resultados: No hay diferencias significativas entre el ingreso y la preacogida, pero sí al alta. Las mujeres presentaron un perfil sintomatológico más agudo en preacogida e ingreso y puntajes más bajos que los hombres al alta. En el OQ-45.2, los grupos lograron estar bajo los puntajes de corte para la población normal al alta, solo se logró la disminución de la sintomatología suficiente como para cumplir con el Índice de Cambio Confiable en la escala de sintomatología. Conclusiones: Se observan diferencias entre los grupos, aún cuando las muestras fueron pequeñas. Los mayores cambios se logran en la sintomatología asociada a las adicciones. Existe mayor gravedad del perfil sintomatológico en mujeres, así como una mayor disminución sintomática al alta. Sugerencias para otros estudios son planteadas al final.

Therapeutical and Symptoms Change were assessed in a 30 days inpatient process in a Detoxification Unit from a Psychiatric Hospital. Method: Two symptoms screening tools were used (SCL-90-r and OQ-45.2) on 85 patients at approximately a month before admission in the inpatient care facility, 51 when they got in the treatment and 38 at discharge. Gender and age were controlled. Results: There were significant difference (0.01) in the Global Severity Index from SCL-90-r and OQ total score between the group at the beginning of the treatment and discharged group, and no difference between the groups assessed a month before admission and the admission group. When the scores were compared by gender, Women presented higher means in the first two groups, (pre-admission, and admission) but lower than men at discharge. In the Total Score of the OQ-45.2 the patients mean were above cut off point between “functional” and “dysfunctional”, and below when discharged, but in the subscales only one of them, “symptoms”, achieved statistical significant change. Conclusion: Differences between groups were observed, despite the small samples. Greater changes were observed in symptoms related with addiction. There were more severe symptoms profile for women and also greater change in scores for that group. Other research lines are proposed.

The Psychological Aspects of Spinal Cord Injury Patients with Pressure Sore

The occurrence of pressure sore is an important problem for persons with spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury patients suffer from pressure sore and psychological problems, but surgeons have mainly focused on wound not psychological problems. Pressure sore is almost accompanied by spinal cord injury. Surgeons should be interested in both surgery and psychological problems because of rapid recovery and good results. The purpose of this survey is to compare the patients with normal control in psychological aspects and to help the patients with proper treatment and rehabilitation. The authors used SCL-90-R(Symptom Checklist-90- Revision) for 56 spinal cord injury patients with pressure sore and 56 normal control. The results is that significant differences were found on the somatization, depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety subscales. This is considered that psychological chronic pain disorder, depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, so it will be effective that psychological supportive treatment, antidepressants and antianxiety drug for spinal cord injury patients with pressure sore.

Relationships between Subjective Symptoms and Objective Psychopathology in Patients with Schizophrenia / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Kyung Hee-Frankfurter Beschwerde-Fragebogen(K-FBF) is a representative subjective symptom measuring tool of schizophrenic patients. We performed psychopathology measurements using K-FBF, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised(SCL-90-R) in patients with schizophrenia and then compared the results of these three examinations one another, in order to examine which psychopathologic aspects K-FBF might reflect and to measure the possibility whether this instrument reflect the negative symptoms or cognitive impairments, which are difficult to measure by conventional objective instruments measuring psychopathology. METHODS: All 66 patients satisfying DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, were approached. Their education level was more than high school and they were not in the acute stage of schizophrenia. They performed K-FBF and SCL-90-R, and at the same day, they were interviewed by one of both psychiatirsts using PANSS. We examined the patterns of K-FBF response and performed facor analysis about 10 subscales. We examined the correlation between K-FBF and age, sex and insight. Also, we performed correlation analysis among the K-FBF, PANSS and SCL-90-R. RESULTS: As for K-FBF, with increasing age, the number of positive response items and the symptom severity were decreased. Even when controlling prevalence period as control variable, the correlation remained unchanged. Performing factor analysis to the K-FBF subscales, we created 2 factors, ie summation subscales. We named those recognized distress(RD) and perceptual alteration(PA) each. Using K-FBF standardized total scores as controlling variable, we performed partial correlation between PA and PANSS negative symptom scale. The result was PA and PANSS have statistically significant correlation. This correspons with the view that Huber's basic symptoms are reflecting subjective approach of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. While K-FBF standardized total scores and PANSS total scores had statistically strong correlations, SCL-90-R total scores and PANSS total scores had statistically significant, but very mild correlations. So, we had the judgement that the correlations among the psychopathology measurement tools are more influenced by the rater than the contents of tools. CONCLUSION: We concluded that Huber's basic symptoms, measured by K-FBF, reflect more negative symptoms of schizophrenia than other symptoms. And K-FBF has more correlation with the PANSS, objective psychopathology measuring tool, than the SCL-90-R, self-report quetionnaire. But, more studies using patients with another disease stages and another demographic variables are needed in order to generalize the results of this study.

Psychological Charateristics of Patients with Vocal Nodules: An Investigation Using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nodules of vocal cords are considered to be tissue reactions to chronic mechanical irritation such as vocal misuse or abuse. Psychological factors related to the development of the vocal nodules have been documented in the literatures. The purpose of this study is to analyze the psychological characteristics of the patients with vocal nodules and find the relationship between the characteristics and the development of the vocal nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient group consisted of 41 house-wives with vocal nodules (mean age 35.7+/-10.4 years) who visited the department of otolaryngology at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from July 1997 to May 1998. The control group consisted of 35 house-wives who didn't have any vocal pathology (mean age 34.6+/-9.1 years). All the subjects completed the questionnaires related to the voice disorder and SCL-90-R, a widely used psychopathology test. The scores of SCL-90-R of the patient group were compared with those of the control group. The scores of the patient group with less than 1 year duration (acute) and more than 1 year duration (chronic) were also compared with those of the controls. RESULTS: The total patient group differed statistically from the control group on 7 neurotic scales (p<0.001) and 1 psychotic scales (p<0.05). The acute patient group differed on 2 neurotic scales (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that the neurotic traits found in the acute patients group may have a role in the development of vocal nodules. The scales found in the total patients group may indicate changes in the psychological characteristics that follow voice change. Thus, psychological characteristics play an important role in the pathogenesis of vocal nodules and warrant more attention to the psychological, emotional aspect of patients in order to treat and prevent these vocal nodules.

Relationship between Serum Lipids and Psychiatric Symptoms / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECT: Many studies found that psychological stress produced significant increases in cholesterol concentration. But recent study results suggested that lowering cholesterol increased non-illness mortality. Suicide rate were higher in low cholesterol groups. Also, depression and violence were related to low cholesterol. It is the purpose of this study to determine which psychiatric symptoms are correlated with serum concentration of cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-C. METHOD: The subjects we included were 61 neurotic outpatients. Their psychiatric symptoms were assessed with SCL-90-R and additional symptoms check list and the results of their fasting serum concentration of cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-C were obtained. The correlation between serum concentration of lipids and psychiatric symptoms were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: The result showed significant positive correlation between somatization symptom dimension and serum cholesterol concentration. Serum cholesterol concentration were also negatively correlated with suppressed emotion of anger Serum concentration of triglyceride and HDL-C were not correlated with any symptom dimensions of SCL-90-R. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that somatization symptoms have some relationship with serum cholesterol and the role of cholesterol in psychiatric symptoms need to be included in future study.

Health of Apartment Guards and Associated Factors / 영남의대학술지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to study the health status of apartment guards and associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This investigation was conducted for 1 month starting from August, 1997. Study population in this cross-sectional survey consisted of 182 guards of apartments located throughout the district of Taegu. Each subject completed a questionnaire about his general characteristics, health behaviors, job descriptions, subjective GIT symptoms and somatization and depression using Symptom Checklist-90-Reversion (SCL-90-R) by self administrated questionnaire and personal interview). RESULTS: Study subjects had one or more GIT symptoms(53.3%), somatization symptoms(83.5%) and depression symptoms(79.7%). The mean scores of GIT, somatization and depression symptoms were not different among the age groups and based on marital status, respectively, but, significantly different by education level(p<0.05). The mean scores of GIT, somatization and depression symptoms were not different among the age groups and hased on marital status, respectively, but, significantly different by regular diet and by the subject's health status(p<0.05). The mean scores of GIT, somatization and depression symptoms were not different by duration of shift work, by job tenure and by the number of managed houses but, those of somatization and depression symptoms were significantly different by level of job satisfaction(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The health statuses of guards at apartments were different from other shift workers because of health worker effects and characteristics of their jobs.

Evaluation on the psychosocial status of the orthognathic surgery patient before surgeryy / 대한치과교정학회지

This study was undertaken to evaluate the psychosocial status of the preoperative orthognathic surgery patient through SCL-90-R. Subjects used in this study were composed of 67 patients under presurgical orthodontic treatment Males are 40 and females are 27. Comparison between the personality characteristics of male and female patients was made by the t-test. From this study, the results were as follows. 1. In preoperative patients group, all T-scores were within the normal range. 2. In male patients group, all T-scores were within the normal range. 3. In female patients group, all T-scores were within the normal range. 4. Only in PHOB scales, the T-scores of male patients group were higher than those of female patients group. 5. Although all T-scores were within the normal range, 9 patients(13.4% of all patients) shows abnormal T-scores in at least one scale.(T> or =65)

A Psychologic Study in Tinnitus Disorder:CMI and SCL-90-R / 대한이비인후과학회지

It has been assumed that tension and anxiety serve to induce or exacerbate tinnitus through increasing muscle tension or alteration in blood flow to the cochlear region. And it is also possible that psychological distress may be a result of tinnitus, or that awareness of tinnitus may be greater during environmental stress. So tinnitus patients need psychologic consideration in their diagnosis and treatment. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree and characteristic of the psychologic factors in tinnitus disorder. Cornell Medical Index(CMI), Fukamachi's Discriminative chart and Symptom Check List-90-Revision(SCL-90-R) were examed in tinnitus patients and control group. The results were as follows. 1) According to the Fukamachi's Discriminative Chart using CMI, the tinnitus group showed higher incidence than normal healthy adults group in class III or IV region which is regarded as neurosis. 2) The tinnitus group showed higher score than normal healthy group in all 9 sections of SCL-90-R. 3) The group which has long duration of tinnitus was related to high scores of interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and the group which has not history of otologic surgery was related to high scores of depression, phobic anxiety(p<0.01).

Psychological Personality Test in Premature Ejaculation Patients / 대한비뇨기과학회지

On psychological aspect, premature ejaculation in psychosexual dysfunction is generally associated with anxiety. Psychiatrists consider that the treatment of choice for premature ejaculation is directive sextherapy with psychotherapy. We screened psychopathology according to the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) in premature ejaculation group (n=120) and control group (n=92). The rate of abnormal RESULTS of both groups were similar as 5 (4.1%) in patient group and 4 (4.3%) in control group. And there was statistical significance in T scores on 5 symptom dimensions of Obsessive-Compulsive, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Depression, Anxiety and Psychoticism, but all of the T scores of those dimensions were with in the normal range. The psychological personality test does not reflect all of the psychosexual factors. But with the psychological screening, we could find that the psychological factors are not absolutely associated with premature ejaculation.

A Study on the Relationship between Subjective symptoms and Psychological Symptoms on some VDT workers / 예방의학회지

The study subjects in this study are 295 workers who work on one electronics industry, and they were composed of 93 VDT and 202 non-VDT workers. This study was carried out to obtain the prevalence of subjective symptoms and to compare psychological symptom scores from SCL-90-R between VDT and non-VDT work groups. And to verify the relationship between VDT work related symptoms and psychological symptoms, the author compared scL-90-R T scores between symptom complaining and non-complaining groups. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Throughout the prevalence study of VDT work related symptoms according to VDT work state, the author could select the final 10 symptoms by sex; 'eye fatigue', 'foggy vision', 'neck discomfort or pain'. 'shoulder discomfort and pain', 'light headedness', 'dizziness', 'aene`, 'itching sensation on face', 'difficulty in concentration', 'memory disturbance' in males, and 'blurred vision`, 'foggy vision', 'neck discomfort or pain', 'shoulder discomfort and pain`, 'abdominal distention','indigestion', 'acne', 'pricking sensation on face', 'difficulty in concentration', 'memory disturbance` in females. 2. Throughout comparison of psychological symptom scores from SCL-90-R between VDT and non-VDT workers' except `interpersonal sensitivity` in female, Mean T score were higher in VDT workers, but not significantly different between the two groups. These results indicate that the relation between VDT work status and psychological symptoms are not strongly correlated. 3. Because of the nonspecific characteristics of VDT work related symptoms, from the 40 subjective symptoms, the author selected the final 10 symptoms by sex, especially correlated to VDT, and divided the study subjects into symptom complaining and non-complaining groups. The mean SCL-90-R T score between the two groups were compared. Except for the opthalmologic symptoms in females, the scores were significantly different between the two groups in all symptoms. And this indicates that the VDT work related symptoms strongly correlated with the present individual psychological conditions. 4. Due to understand that which of the 9 psychological symptom dimensions are strongly correlated with the subjective symptoms, the author excuted multiple logistic regression analysis, and the result were as follows; 'depression' and 'somatization', in male, and 'obsessive-compulsive' and 'somatization' in female.