Application of GHQ-28 and MMSE in bilharzial patients with and without hepatic complications

ABSTRACT

The General Health Questionnaire [GHQ] and the Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] were applied on 150 individuals [72 patients with early bilharziasis, 51 with late bilharziasis and 27 non-bilharizal control subjects]. Results showed that patents with early bilharziasis suffered significantly more in the somatization and anxiety -insomnia subscales, while the late bilharzial group suffered significantly more in the area of social dysfunction. The MMSE did not show significant differences. Differential effects of bilharziasis on GHQ scores in different stages of the disease were discussed and recommendations for future research in this important and neglected area were made to clarify further psychiatric aspects of bilharziasis