Psychological responses of the Philippine Physician Licensure Exam takers to the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective@#This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and the level of perceived stress of the Physician Licensure Exam (PLE) takers during the COVID-19 pandemic.@*Method@#We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive survey among the Physician Licensure Exam takers using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).@*Results@#Seven hundred thirty-two (732) Physician Licensure Exam takers participated in the survey, 423 (57.8%) were November takers and 309 (42.2%) were March takers who will be completing the exam on September 2020. The prevalence rates of major depression and generalized anxiety disorder among the PLE takers were 44.1% and 50.3%, respectively. November takers have a higher rate of depression (60.1%) and anxiety (52.7%) compared to the March takers (54.4% and 46.6%, respectively). The majority of the takers have moderate levels of depression (26.6%), anxiety (37.8%), and perceived stress (70.2%). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of major depression between the March and November takers (p-value <0.00001) but not with generalized anxiety disorder (p-value: 0.05155). There was also no significant difference in the severity of depression (p value=0.527878), anxiety (p-value=0.883558), and levels of perceived stress (p- value=0.2476) between the March and November takers.@*Conclusions@#There was a high prevalence of major depression and generalized anxiety disorder among the PLE takers during the COVID19 pandemic. Majority of the PLE takers experienced moderate levels of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress.

Comparison of Cardiovascular and Psychological Responses to a 20-min Bath in Summer and Winter / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  Background: This study aimed to clarify the effects of bathing on cardiovascular and psychological responses during winter and summer, focusing on three different time points (immediately after entering the bathtub, during bathing, and immediately after leaving the bathtub).   Methods: Ten young (29.6 ± 1.5 years) individuals were asked to bathe for 20 min with 40℃ hot water in summer and with 42℃ hot water in winter. The room temperature and humidity in winter were 20.1℃ and 56.7%, while those in summer were 27.0℃ and 58.3%, respectively. Tympanic temperature (Tty) was measured using a thermistor thermometer; systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured using an auto-sphygmomanometer, and double product (DP) was calculated using the value of HR multiplied by SBP value. Subjective thermal and comfortable sensations were evaluated using a seven-point rating scale.   Results: Results showed a significant increases in SBP values in both seasons immediately after bathing. In winter, DP increased significantly after bathing. Meanwhile, no significant differences were observed in all parameters immediately after bathing between winter and summer. On the contraly, significant differences were observed in Tty, HR, and DP value between winter and summer during bathing. HR and DP values in winter were significantly lower than those in summer immediately after leaving the bathtub. A relationship between thermal sensation and comfortable sensation was observed in both seasons, but the strength of the relationship was more relevant in summer than in winter.   Conclusion: The effects of bathing in 42℃ hot water on the cardiovascular system in winter are greater than those in 40℃ hot water in summer. The high temperature of the bath water may not produce as much discomfort during winter than that during summer, therefore bathing time may be longer.

Comparison of Cardiovascular and Psychological Responses to a 20-min Bath in Summer and Winter / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  Background: This study aimed to clarify the effects of bathing on cardiovascular and psychological responses during winter and summer, focusing on three different time points (immediately after entering the bathtub, during bathing, and immediately after leaving the bathtub).   Methods: Ten young (29.6±1.5 years) individuals were asked to bathe for 20 min with 40°C hot water in summer and with 42°C hot water in winter. The room temperature and humidity in winter were 20.1°C and 56.7%, while those in summer were 27.0°C and 58.3%, respectively. Tympanic temperature (Tty) was measured using a thermistor thermometer; systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured using an auto-sphygmomanometer, and double product (DP) was calculated using the value of HR multiplied by SBP value. Subjective thermal and comfortable sensations were evaluated using a seven-point rating scale.   Results: Results showed a significant increases in SBP values in both seasons immediately after bathing. In winter, DP increased significantly after bathing. Meanwhile, no significant differences were observed in all parameters immediately after bathing between winter and summer. On the contraly, significant differences were observed in Tty, HR, and DP value between winter and summer during bathing. HR and DP values in winter were significantly lower than those in summer immediately after leaving the bathtub. A relationship between thermal sensation and comfortable sensation was observed in both seasons, but the strength of the relationship was more relevant in summer than in winter.   Conclusion: The effects of bathing in 42°C hot water on the cardiovascular system in winter are greater than those in 40°C hot water in summer. The high temperature of the bath water may not produce as much discomfort during winter than that during summer, therefore bathing time may be longer.

Psychological Responses among Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster Victims and Their Families

To substantiate psychological symptoms following humidifier disinfectant (HD) disasters, counseling records of 26 victims and 92 family members of victims (45 were bereaved) were analyzed retrospectively. Among the victims, 34.6% had Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores of over 4, which meant they were moderately ill. While anxiety/fear and depression with respiratory symptoms were frequently observed in victims and family members, chronic psychological distress such as alcohol/smoking abuse and insomnia was relatively high in bereaved family members. In conclusion, it is important to provide mental health support for victims and their families, focusing on the characteristic symptoms of each group as well as monetary compensation.

Impacto psicosocial de la diabetes mellitus, experiencias, significados y respuestas a la enfermedad / Psychosocial impact of diabetes mellitus, experiences, meanings, and responses to disease

La diabetes mellitus representa un serio problema de salud. El aumento de su incidencia y prevalencia, su carácter complejo y la severidad de los impactos económicos, sanitarios y psicosociales que genera, legitiman la importancia de reflexionar sobre sus efectos desde el espacio individual y social más inmediato a las personas que viven con esta enfermedad. El trabajo trata algunos de los aspectos que desde los procesos de salud-enfermedad, y basados en los significados construidos a propósito de estos, se relacionan con las respuestas psicológicas más comunes a la diabetes: la comunicación del diagnóstico, el mundo psicológico de la persona con diabetes, los significados subyacentes a este, el proceso de atención de salud, y los aspectos y momentos críticos en el tratamiento de la enfermedad. Se concluye que los procesos de salud de personas con diabetes incluyen experiencias con potencial para causar severos impactos psicológicos y sociales, relacionados con los significados, de base psicosociocultural, estructurados a partir de estas vivencias. Se comparten recomendaciones para incidir positivamente en el bienestar de personas con diabetes, desde los espacios y servicios de salud(AU)

The diabetes mellitus is a serious health problem. The increase of its incidence and prevalence, its complicated character and the severity of the economic, health and the psychosocial impacts generated to legitimize the significance of to reflect on its effects from the more immediate individual and social space on the persons living with this disease. The aim of present paper is to show some features, which from the health-disease process and based on the meanings achieved concerning these, are related to the commonest psychological responses to diabetes: the communication of diagnosis, the psychological world of the person presenting with diabetes, its underlying meanings, the health care process and the features and critical moments in the treatment of the disease. We conclude that the health processes of diabetic include experiences with the potential to provoke severe psychological and social impacts related to the meanings with a psychosocial-cultural basis, structured from these experiences. Recommendations are shared to focus positively on the wellbeing of diabetic persons from the spaces and health services(AU)

The Psychological Response of Diabetes Patients / 임상당뇨병

Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires continuous and mindful self-care. However, most diabetic patients suffer from severe stress from the disease itself, as well as the required treatments. Diabetic patients are prone to psychosocial problems, including psychological adaptation to accepting the fact that they are diabetic, the burden to change behavior and living habits to manage the disease, and the anxiety and fear of complications. Therefore, a diabetes educator needs to understand the psychological responses that occur when a patient is diagnosed with the disease, in order to understand the needs of diabetic patients.

Associations of exposure to noise with physiological and psychological outcomes among post-cardiac surgery patients in ICUs

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to study the associations of noise with heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived psychological and physiological responses among post-cardiac surgery patients in ICUs. METHODS: Forty patients participated in this study after recovering from anesthesia. A sound-level meter was placed at bedsides to measure noise level for 42 hours, and patients' heart rate and blood pressure were recorded every 5 minutes. Patients were also interviewed for their perceived psychological/physiological responses. RESULTS: The average noise level was between 59.0 and 60.8 dB(A) at the study site. Annoyance and insomnia were the respective psychological and physiological responses reported most often among the patients. Although noise level, irrespective of measures, was not observed to be significantly associated with the self-assessed psychological and physiological responses, it was significantly associated with both heart rate and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the noise in ICUs may adversely affect the heart rate and blood pressure of patients, which warrants the attention of hospital administrators and health care workers.

The Severity and Variables Influencing Depression in Cancer Patients with Pain / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to survey the incidences, severity, and variables influencing depression and the correlation between pain and depression in Korean cancer patients. METHODS: The results of a survey were collected from 142 patients, 79 male and 63 female (mean age 51.9 years), who were hospitalized at a major metropolitan tertiary care hospital for cancer treatment from January to June of 1999. Factors of depression and the level of pain were examined by a self-reported survey employing the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and an abridged version of the Brief Pain Inventory respectively. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were compiled by reviewing their medical records. The difference in the level of depression among patient groups was analyzed with the t-test and ANOVA, and the correlation between variables with the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean scores of the worst pain for the last 24-hours was 6.1 +/- 2.2, the average pain for the last 24-hours 4.4 +/- 1.9, and the mean scores of pain at the time of the survey was 3.5 +/- 2.3, while the mean scores of the least pain for the last 24 hours was 2.3 +/- 1.8. The mean BDI scores were 23.7 +/- 1.0, and 55.6% of the patients were found to be in depression (cut off point 21). Scores of depression for cancer patients were higher than in the normal population. The correlations between the worst pain for the last 24 hours and depression, average pain for the last 24-hours and depression, pain at present and depression were significant. Significant differences were found among groups of cancer patients with pain with respect to gender, level of education, and ECOG. There was a significant positive correlation between depression and pain. CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% of cancer patients with pain were suffering from depression. The variables like the degree of pain, gender, level of education, ECOG, and age were significantly related to depression in cancer patients. The findings of this study could be used for identifying high-risk patients in need of intervention and planning effective therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.

Health Effects of Aircraft Noise on Residents Living Near an Airport / 대한산업의학회지

Objectives ; This study was conducted to reveal the health effects of aircraft noise on the residents live near the military airport. METHODS: We sampled systematically 87 residents as the high exposed group, 58 residents as the low exposed group according to the geographical distance from the airport. We also sampled 67 residents as the control group lived far from the airport. Noise levels were measured for conform the exposures. Self-administered questionnaires for symptoms, air conduction hearing threshold level, blood pressure blood cholesterol with health examinations, and SCL-90-R were introduced to get the data from the residents. RESULTS: The Ld/n at the area near the airport was 72.4 dB, however that of control area was 67. 7 dB. The value of pure tone average, high pure tone average, and threshold of 4,000 Hz were decreased with exposure level significantly. Linear regression analysis showed that the noise exposure level of the airport was related to the hearing threshold at pure tone average, threshold of 4,000 Hz, and high pure tone average. The systemic and diastolic blood pressure showed dose-response relationship with noise exposure. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in exposed group, but not statistically significant. In linear regression, noise level was related to systolic and diastolic blood pressure with other variables such as age, sex, BMI (Body Mass Index), and family history of hypertension. SCL-90-R showed that exposed group had higher score significantly in neurotic and psychologic variable and felt the various somatic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that aircraft noise would influence hearing loss at low frequencies as well as 4,000 Hz and higher frequencies, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and psychological response.

Psychological Responses in Burn Patients / 신경정신의학

Burn patients basically go through the sequential stages of physiological, psychological and social emergency after the burn injury. In the present study, 88 burn patients were classified into three groups according to the stages as mentioned above. Then, we observed the states of anxiety, depression, inward activities, various psychological responses measured by SCL-90-R, and body image changes in each stage. The study results were as follows: 1) We found that depressive symptoms increased as the stage advanced. They were correlated with family conflicts and low level of education. The state of anxiety was not correlated with the staging. 2) There were differences between stages I and III in ANX, DEP, SOM, PHOB axes of SCL-90-R. 3) The mood of burn patients and the patients' cooperation to the treatment observed by the nurse was partially correlated with depression and anxiety, while the patients' relation to others and interpersonal relationship were not. 4) Variables such as the size of burned area, duration of hospitalization and darkening skin affected the patients' body image. 5) We found that burn patients have psychological difficulties. Therefore, the treatment of burn injury should be done in parallel with the psychological treatment by professionals.

The effects of aircraft noise on the hearing loss, blood pressure and response to psychological stress / 예방의학회지

In effort to determine whether aircraft noise can have health effects such as hearing loss, hypertension and psychological stress, a total of 111 male professors and administrative officers working a college near a military airport in Korea(exposed group) and a total of 168 males and 112 females matched by age groups(control groups) were analyzed. Personal noise exposure and indoor and outdoor sound level of jet aircraft noise were measured at the exposed area. And pure tone, air conduction test and measurement of blood pressure were given to the exposed(males) and matched control groups(males and females). BEPSI(Brief Encounter Psychological Instrument) and psychological response to aircraft noise were examined for the exposed group. The noise dosimetry results revealed time-weighted averages(TWAs) that ranged from 61 to 68 dBA. However the levels encountered during taking off jet airplanes reached 126 dBA for two half minutes time period. The audiometric test showed that mean values of HTL(hearing threshold level) in exposed group at every frequency(500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 Hz were much lower than them of male and female control groups. And in old age groups, interaction of age and noise was observed at 8,000 Hz in both ears(p< 0.05). Conclusively, aircraft noise does not appear to induce hearing loss directly, but may decreased hearing threshold level by interaction of aging process and noise exposure. However, difference of mean values of exposed and control groups on blood pressure was not significantly. In psychological test, annoyance was the most severe psychological response to noise in exposed group, but mean value of BEPSI was not correlated with job duration in exposed group