Hypocholesterolemia and neurotic symptoms

BACKGROUND: An association between low serum cholesterol concentrations and depressive symtoms has ever been found in several studies. The objective of this study is to evaluate neurotic symptoms in hypocholesterolemia. METHODS: In the course of two months (from June to August, 1998), 81 subjects were selected among the people who screened in adult disease survey of one university hospital. As the control group, 80 subjects were selected from a healthy population. In the study population, we excluded people who had medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, chronic liver disease and history of any medication to lipid metabolism and other psychotic disease history. Neurotic symptoms were measured by Symptom Checklist for Minor Psychiatric Disorders (SCL-MPD) questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no difference between the distribution of age and sex in the hypocholesterolemia groups. As the level of the education and kind of employment, no significant difference between two groups. Hypocholesterolemia groups scored significantly higher than conrol group in some questionnaire of SCL-MPD. The results of depression scale (p<0.01) and anxiety, hypochondriasis scale (p<0.05) were significant. The men of hypocholesterolemia groups have significant relation to hypochondriasis scale (p<0.001) and the women to anxiety scale (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Though in some scale of neurotic symptoms, the association between hypocholesterolemia and neurotic symptoms was found in our study. There need to be a further study on the correlation of hypocholesterolemia and neurotic symptoms.

Characteristics of the patients of chronic disease

BACKGROUND: It is very important for family physicians to practice with comprehensive approach to patients with chronic illness. A study was done to assess psychosocial aspects of patients with chronic illness and disability and to help physicians manage patients effectively. METHODS: SCL-MPD questionnaires were done in 93 patients with chronic illness and disability who were admitted between April and May in 1997. The results were statistically analyzed by chisquare test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: 1. The mean score of SCL-MPD were 17.5 for `depression' and 13.78 for `somatization' with statistical significance(P<0.005). 2. Comparison of dimensions of patients with back pain syndrome had higher scoresn for `depression (25.2)', `somatization (22.1)', `hypochondriasis (14.7)', `phobic anxiety (11.6)', `neurasthenic (8.1)' and `interpersonal sensitivity(8.0)' than other disease groups with statistical significance (P<0.05). 3. In comparison of dimensions between males and females, the female group gradually had higher scores than males and, especially, 'somatization' dimension was significantly higher in score (P<0.05). 4. Symptoms ranked top in male and female patients were `54-over coscern about your health' in males and `16-over concern with the fear of having a serious illness' in females. CONCLUSION: Family physicians have to consider not only physical impairment but also psychological aspect of patients with chronic illness for comprehensive management in medical practice.

Neurotic characteristics in headache patients

BACKGROUND: Headache is one of the most common medical complaints. The majority of headaches are not associated with significant organic disease. Many persons are susceptible to headaches at times of emotional or physical distresses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate neurotic symptoms of headache patients. METHODS: The present study was made in the patients with headache symptoms. who had visits t,he outpatient clinic of Family Medicine of a University Hospital from April 1st to July 31st, 1996, 110 subjects with headaches and 136 controls which were closely matched according to sex, age and socioeconomic status. Neurotic symptoms were assessed using the Symptom Check List for Minor Psychiatric Disorders(SCL-MPD). The statistical analysis was made between the two groups. RESULTS: 1) All but 3 items were significantly higher in headache group(p<0.05 : 2 items;p<0.01 : 9 items ; p<0.001 : 53 items). 2) The headache group had a statistically significant higher score of the each neurotic dimension in comparison of the non-headache group (somatization, anxiety, depression , anger-hostility, interpersonal -sensitivity, phobic anxiety, obsessive -compulsive , neurasthenia, hypochondriasis and general) (p<0.001). 3) The age and the presence of occupation were significantly associated with headache symptoms. The somatization and depression scales had the strongest independent association with headaches as compared with other dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with headache had higher levels of neurotic symptoms and psychological distresses compared to the non-headache group. Physicians need to be aware of the various types of distresses comprehensively with psychosocial assessments and evaluations.