Prevalence of Symptoms and Symptom Clusters of Patients on Dialysis in Uruguay.

BACKGROUND: Patients on dialysis report high levels of symptom burden. The association of these symptoms may have an increased deleterious effect on the patients' well-being. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of symptoms, to identify symptom clusters, and to describe the impact of concurrent symptoms on physical and emotional well-being in a sample of dialysis patients. METHODS: Data of the first assessment of a longitudinal study aimed to assess patient-reported outcomes in dialysis were included here. The KDQOL-36 PCS, MCS and Symptom Subscale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were analyzed. The ICLUST procedure was followed for hierarchical cluster analyses. RESULTS: Of the 512 eligible patients, 493 accepted to participate, 43.6 % were female, with mean age of 60.9 (SD=16.7). Treatment modality was HD in 87.6% of patients. Most prevalent and severe symptoms were muscle sores, cramps, "washed out", dry skin, and itchy skin, Moderate to severe pain was reported by 25%, and daily somnolence by 12.4% of the patients. Five first level symptom clusters were identified as cutaneous, cardiac, digestive, sensory-motor, energy. Both, the presence of any cluster and cluster scores were significantly associated with lower physical and mental quality of life and a higher psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the presence of high symptom burden in dialysis patients in Uruguay. Several symptom clusters were identified having significant impact on the patients' well-being. The identification of symptom clusters can help to understand common underlying pathways. It is possible that the management of symptom clusters may reduce symptom burden in these patients.

Campo disciplinar y campo profesional de la psicología médica. Enfoque biopsicosocial de la medicina: 30 años después / Field and professional practice of medical psychology. The biopsychosocial approach of medicine: 30 years later

A partir de la conmemoración del 30º aniversario de la creación del Departamento de Psicología Médica de la Facultad de Medicina, se propone una reflexión sobre el desarrollo de esta disciplina tanto en los aspectos propiamente disciplinares como profesionales. Se reconoce como antecedente el aporte fundamental de los docentes de la línea de Psicología del Ciclo Básico del Plan 68, quienes provenían principalmente del campo psicoanálitico, de la medicina del comportamiento y de la psicología de la salud. Se destaca la importancia que tuvo la inclusión del modelo biopsicosocial de George Engel tanto en el desarrollo teórico como en la práctica asistencial y docente. Se describe el campo profesional en sus aspectos asistenciales y docentes. En especial, se comentan las nuevas propuestas y desafíos que surgen a partir del plan de estudio aprobado en el año 2008 y la forma en que la psicología médica está procurando acompañar este desarrollo. Se plantea también el enfoque de la medicina centrada en el paciente con énfasis en la mejora de la calidad de la asistencia, el desarrollo de las habilidades comunicacionales del médico y los temas del profesionalismo.

Abstract Upon the thirtieth anniversary of the creation of the Medical Psychology Department of the School of Medicine, the study presents a discussion on the development of the discipline, both in terms of its field of action and in professional aspects. The foundational basis can be traced up to the Plan 1968 with the contribuition of professors who manily had a background in psychoanalysis, behavioral medicina, and health psychology. The importance of the inclusion of Gerorge Engel’s biopsychosocial model, both theoretically and in the provision of healthcare services is hereby pointed out. Its professional field is described in terms of service and training. In particular, new proposals and challenges arising from a studies plan approved in 2008 are commented, and the approach by Medical Psychology is discussed. Likewise, the approach of a patient-centered medicine medicine is analysed, emphasizing on the improvement of healthcare quality, the development of physicians’ communication skills and professionalism issues.

Resumo Tomando como ponto de partida a comemoração do 30º aniversário da criação do Departamento de Psicologia Médica da Facultad de Medicina - UdelaR, propõe-se uma reflexão sobre a evolução desta disciplina tanto nos aspectos propriamente disciplinares como profissionais. Reconhece-se como antecedente a contribuição fundamental dos docentes da linha de Psicologia do Ciclo Básico do Plano 68, originários principalmente do campo psicanalítico, da medicina do comportamento e da psicologia da saúde. Destaca-se a importância da inclusão do modelo biopsicossocial de George Engel tanto na evolução teórica como na prática assistencial e docente. Descreve-se o campo profissional nos aspectos assistenciais e docentes. Especialmente comentam-se as novas propostas e os desafios que surgem do Plano de Estudos aprovado em 2008 e a forma que a psicologia médica está procurando para acompanhar essas mudanças. Aborda-se também o enfoque da medicina centrada no paciente com ênfase na melhoria da qualidade da assistência, o desenvolvimento das habilidades de comunicação do médico e os temas do profissionalismo.

Psychometric assessment of the MSAS-SF and the FACIT-Fatigue Scale in Spanish-speaking patients with cancer in Uruguay.

CONTEXT: Several instruments have been developed to assess the symptom burden and fatigue produced by cancer and its treatment. However, little research has been conducted in Latin American Spanish-speaking patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish versions of two commonly used patient-reported outcome measures, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form (MSAS-SF), and the fatigue subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), the FACIT-Fatigue. METHODS: A classic psychometric approach was followed to assess the reliability and validity of the instruments. Responsiveness to change and effect sizes were calculated. RESULTS: The translated version of the MSAS-SF proved to be comprehensible and easy to complete. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficients ranged from acceptable to excellent for the MSAS-SF subscale scores and the FACIT-Fatigue. There was evidence of convergent validity between the physical and the psychological subscales of the instruments. The MSAS-SF could discriminate among the known groups according to Eastern Cooperative Oncology performance status and level of anemia, and showed responsiveness to change of symptom burden at two times of treatment. CONCLUSION: The study showed that both the MSAS-SF and the FACIT-Fatigue have good reliability and validity for use with patients with cancer in Uruguay. When used simultaneously, these instruments may provide a complete picture of the impact of cancer and its treatment on the patient's quality of life.

Health-related quality of life measurement in children and adolescents in Ibero-American countries, 2000 to 2010.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the characteristics of instruments designed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children, developed or adapted from 2000 to 2010 in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Spain, and Uruguay. METHODS: The protocol-led literature review included database searching (e.g., Medline, ISI Science Citation Index) and manual searching to retrieve studies focused on measures of HRQOL, health status, or well-being addressed to children and adolescents. Country-specific filters were applied to identify studies carried out in the participating countries. The characteristics of the instruments and type of studies were analyzed. Descriptive characteristics and psychometric properties were analyzed following the guidelines of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust. RESULTS: Ninety-nine documents were included. Thirty-one questionnaires were identified, 24 instruments were adapted, and the psychometric properties of 20 HRQOL instruments were reported in the study period. There was substantial variability in the number and characteristics of the dimensions included. Reliability was generally acceptable, and the majority of instruments provided data on internal consistency (n = 18) and, to a lesser extent, on test-retest reliability (n = 12). Nearly all studies reported construct validity, but only four analyzed sensitivity to change. CONCLUSIONS: There is a scarcity of instruments to measure HRQOL of children and adolescents in the countries analyzed. Certain psychometric characteristics have been reasonably well tested, but others, most notably sensitivity to change, have not been tested in most instruments. Extension of this study to other Latin American countries would help to further identify gaps in this area and promote the use of HRQOL measurement in children and adolescents in Spanish-speaking cultures.

Assessing the functional status and quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) on functional working status, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients. METHODS: This is a descriptive study with 53 patients from a public rheumatology center in Montevideo, Uruguay. A series of instruments were used to assess pain, functional impairment, HRQL, and activity level: P-VAS (Pain Visual Analogue Scale), G-VAS (Global Status Visual Analogue Scale), HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire), SF-12 (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12), and DAS 28 (Disease Activity Score). Linear regression coeficients, t test, and ANOVA were used to investigate the associations among several independent parameters and the HRQL. Correlations between the assessments of general well-being made by physicians and patients were studied using the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: High levels of disease activity (41.5%, severe activity; 26.5%, low activity or remission), severe pain (60%), and impact on global health status (median G-VAS 40, range: 0-100) were observed. More than 70% of the patients had HAQ rates indicating moderate to severe disability. The SF-12 PCS (Physical component Summary) had mean scores of 31.5 points (range 15.2- 59.5; SD=10.1) while those of the MCS (Mental Component Summary) were 37.9 points (range: 15.7 - 66.4; SD=14.6). One or more years of disease evolution and the level of activity were determining factors of HRQL scores. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that RA is associated with higher disease burden, reflected on pain, impact on global health, and functional and working status, as well as the physical and emotional dimensions of the HRQL. The need for changes in the treatment of this psychologically vulnerable group of patients is paramount.

Avaliação da capacidade funcional e da qualidade de vida de pacientes com artrite reumatoide / Assessing the functional status and quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o impacto da artrite reumatoide (AR) sobre a capacidade funcional para o trabalho e a qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde (CVRS), de pacientes portadores desta afecção. MÉTODO: Realizou-se um estudo descritivo transversal com uma amostra de 53 pacientes de um centro de reumatologia público de Montevidéu. Utilizando-se uma série de instrumentos foram avaliados a dor, a repercussão funcional, a CVRS e os níveis de atividade: EVA-D (Escala Visual Analógica-Dor), EVA-G (Escala Visual Analógica - Estado Geral), HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire), SF-12 (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12), DAS 28 (Disease Activity Score). A análise estatística foi feita empregando coeficientes de remitência linear, teste t e ANOVA, buscando estudar a associação entre as variáveis independentes e a CVRS. O intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) foi utilizado para verificar a correspondência entre a informação prestada pelo paciente e a observação do médico com relação ao bem-estar geral. RESULTADOS: Foram constatados níveis altos de atividade (41,5 por cento atividade grave, 26,5 por cento baixa atividade ou remitência), dor grave (60 por cento) e uma repercussão importante sobre o estado geral (média EVA-G 40, intervalo 0-100). Mais de 70 por cento dos pacientes apresentaram níveis de HAQ de moderado a grave. A média do PCS (Physical Component Summary) do SF-12 foi de 31,5 pontos (intervalo 15,2 - 59,5; DP= 10,1) e o MCS (Mental Component Summary) foi de 37,9 pontos (intervalo 15,7 - 66,4; DP = 14,6). Foram fatores determinantes das medidas de CVRS a evolução acima de um ano e o nível de atividade. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo demonstra o grande transtorno que a AR representa para os pacientes em razão da dor, do comprometimento do estado geral, da capacidade funcional, da situação de trabalho e CVRS física e emocional. Destaca-se a necessidade de implementar mudanças na abordagem terapêutica dessa população especialmente vulnerável.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) on functional working status, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients. METHODS: This is a descriptive study with 53 patients from a public rheumatology center in Montevideo, Uruguay. A series of instruments were used to assess pain, functional impairment, HRQL, and activity level: P-VAS (Pain Visual Analogue Scale), G-VAS (Global Status Visual Analogue Scale), HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire), SF-12 (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12), and DAS 28 (Disease Activity Score). Linear regression coeficients, t test, and ANOVA were used to investigate the associations among several independent parameters and the HRQL. Correlations between the assessments of general well-being made by physicians and patients were studied using the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: High levels of disease activity (41.5 percent, severe activity; 26.5 percent, low activity or remission), severe pain (60 percent), and impact on global health status (median G-VAS 40, range: 0-100) were observed. More than 70 percent of the patients had HAQ rates indicating moderate to severe disability. The SF-12 PCS (Physical component Summary) had mean scores of 31.5 points (range 15.2- 59.5; SD=10.1) while those of the MCS (Mental Component Summary) were 37.9 points (range: 15.7 - 66.4; SD=14.6). One or more years of disease evolution and the level of activity were determining factors of HRQL scores. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that RA is associated with higher disease burden, reflected on pain, impact on global health, and functional and working status, as well as the physical and emotional dimensions of the HRQL. The need for changes in the treatment of this psychologically vulnerable group of patients is paramount.

Utilización de cuestionarios en el diagnóstico de alcoholismo en un hospital general / Use of questionnaires in the diagnosis of alcoholism in a general hospital

Se estudió una población de 719 pacientes internados en el Hospital Maciel de abril a setiembre de 1989 con el propósito de: 1)cuantificar la prevalencia de alcoholismo y 2)valorar la viabilidad del uso de cuestionarios diagnósticos en esta enfermedad. En esta muestra se diagnosticó alcoholismo mediante la utilización de los cuestionarios CAGE o MAST seleccionados al azar. Aleatoriamente se realizaron entrevistas diagnósticas de valoración de los tests.Se encontró una prevalencia de alcoholismo de 24.6 por ciento , siendo mayor en el sexo masculino. Se validan los cuestionarios diagnósticos prefiriéndose en nuestro medio el CAGE. Se sugiere su utilización sistemática