Personality traits favourable for non-adherence to treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia: role of type A and D personality.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) therapy has revolutionized the treatment of this disease. Although regular TKI intake is a prerequisite for successful therapy, it has been shown that a significant proportion of patients are non-compliant. Recently there is growing evidence that personality traits may influenced the tendency for non-adherence to treatment in patients with chronic diseases. As far as we know, such a relationship in patients with CML has not been examined, yet. The aim of our study was to determine if personality traits favor non-adherence to treatment recommendations. We investigated the relationship between five-factor model personality factors (conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness, extraversion, and openness) and medication non-adherence. We also checked if the patients with type A and type D personality, were at higher risk of poor medication adherence. METHODS: The following tools were used: self-constructed survey, the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, the Framingham Type A Scale, the D-Scale 14. The study included 140 CML patients treated with imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib. RESULTS: 39% of patients reported skipping at least one dose of medication in the month prior to follow-up visit. 51% admitted to skipping such doses from the start of their treatment to the time at which our assessment was performed. We did not find any relationship between the mean values of the analyzed factors of the Big Five (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) and adherence. However, our analysis revealed that CML patients who admitted to missing doses of drugs during the entire course of treatment demonstrated greater intensity of type A personality traits (p = 0.020). Regarding both factors of type D personality, it was revealed that higher level of negative affectivity significantly decreased the adherence (p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that screening for type D and A personalities may help to identify patients who are at higher risk of poor medication adherence.

Mental Health during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic-Polish Studies.

The presented research aimed to identify the impacts of the second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on respondents' mental health state and identify variables related to the respondents' symptoms of anxiety and depression; 618 subjects participated in the research. A specially prepared survey and Polish adaptations of the following methods were used: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 10), MINI-COPE Questionnaire (Brief COPE Inventory), Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), Scale of Death Anxiety (SDA), The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Over 24% of the respondents reported having experienced suicidal thoughts since the start of the pandemic. Almost 16% drank alcohol in a risky or harmful way. The average value of perceived stress indicated its high and very high intensity. Over 20% had symptoms of anxiety disorders, and almost 19% had anxiety and depression symptoms. It means that almost 40% of the respondents probably have mental disorders. More women, younger people, and those with disorders prior to the onset of the pandemic were among those who manifested these disorders. They also used passive and avoidance stress coping strategies more frequently. In conclusion, the second wave of the pandemic negatively affected the mental health of the respondents. A high percentage of the respondents manifested anxiety and anxiety-depressive disorders and declared having of suicidal thoughts.

Mental Health and the SARS-COV-2 Epidemic-Polish Research Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the mental state of Poles in the first weeks of the SARS-COV-2 epidemic. Methods: In the study, the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-18), The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Mini-Cope were used. Results: The study was conducted on a group of 443 individuals, including 348 women (78.6%) and 95 men (21.4%). There were more women (χ2 = 6.42, p = 0.02) in the group of people with high results in the GHQ-28 questionnaire and the differentiating factors between those with sten scores above 7 (significantly deteriorated mental health) and those with average or low results (sten score below 7) turned out to be: treatment for mental disorders before the pandemic (χ2 = 19.57, p < 0.001) and the use of psychotherapy during the pandemic (χ2 = 4.21, p = 0.04) and psychiatric pharmacotherapy (χ2 = 8.31, p = 0.01). The presence of suicidal thoughts since the appearance of the pandemic-related restraints and limitations significantly differentiates the compared groups (χ2 = 38.48, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Every fourth person in the examined group (over 26% of the respondents) recorded results that indicate a high probability of mental functioning disorders. Approximately 10% of the respondents signalled the occurrence of suicidal thoughts since the beginning of the pandemic. The respondents complain mainly about problems in everyday life, lack of satisfaction from one's own activities, tension, trouble sleeping, and feelings of exhaustion. Individuals with significantly reduced mental well-being use non-adaptive coping strategies, such as denying problems, emotional discharge, taking substances, discontinuation of action, and blaming themselves for the situation. The risk factors for the deterioration of the mental state of the respondents during the pandemic include psychiatric treatment before the beginning of the pandemic, the presence of suicidal thoughts during forced isolation, and the use of non-adaptive coping strategies (denial of the existence of problems, emotional discharge, use of psychoactive substances, discontinuation of action, and blaming oneself for the situation).

Alcohol Consumption Reported during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Initial Stage.

Physical health is not the only area affected by the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic. There are also other consequences that have globally affected many millions at other levels, namely: Societal, political, economic, and cultural. This study aims to survey alcohol drinking throughout the pandemic so as to investigate those factors considered most relevant; i.e., sociodemographic and clinical. A longitudinal study was designed. The first (or initial) stage was completed between April 10-20 2020 on 443 subjects during the enforcement of the "Lockdown" in Poland. The second stage will be due in June 2020. As well as an in-house questionnaire, the study used: The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Brief COPE Inventory (Mini COPE). Alcohol was the most commonly used psychoactive substance (73%) identified. More than 30% changed their drinking habits because of the pandemic, with 16% actually drinking less, whilst 14% did so more. The former group was significantly younger than the latter. Amongst the stress-related coping strategies, it was found that current alcohol drinkers were significantly less able to find anything positive about the pandemic situation (positive reframing) and were mentally less able to cope. Those drinking more now were found to have been drinking more intensively before the pandemic started.

Polish Adaptation of the Psychache Scale by Ronald Holden and Co-workers. / Polska adaptacja Skali Bólu Psychicznego Ronalda Holdena i wspólpracowników.

OBJECTIVES: The conducted study was aimed at making a Polish adaptation of the Scale of Psychache by Ronald Holden and co-workers. The scale is a self-assessment method which comprises 13 statements and is designed to assess subjectively experienced psychological pain. METHODS: 300 persons were examined - undergraduates and postgraduates of the University of Lodz and the Technical University of Lodz. The group of the study participants consisted of 185 women and 115 men. Moreover, there were examined 150 alcohol addicted men, 50 co-addicted women and 50 major depressive episode (MDE) patients. RESULTS: The Polish version of the Scale is a reliable and valid tool. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis has proved the existence of one factor. The internal consistency, assessed on the basis of Cronbach's alpha, equalled 0.93. The method displays positive and statistically significant relationships to levels of depression, hopelessness, anxiety, anhedonia and negative relations to levels of optimism, life satisfaction, and positive orientation. Alcohol addicted men with presently diagnosed suicidal thoughts were characterised by a significantly higher level of psychological pain as compared to alcoholics without such thoughts. A higher level of psychache was also reported in people with depression who have a history of attempted suicide compared with those who have not attempted suicide. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the conducted adaptation works on the Psychache Scale speaks for recommending the method for scientific research and use in therapeutic practice.

Sense of coherence as a protective factor in chronic urticaria.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic urticaria (CU) seems to be perceived as a psychodermatological disorder. Different psychological factors play an important role in CU triggering and course. One of them is a sense of coherence (SOC), which is believed to be a protective factor against anxiety and depression. AIM: To investigate quality of life (QoL) in CU patients and to compare selected psychological parameters (anxiety, depression and sense of coherence) between CU individuals and the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 46 female patients with chronic urticaria and 33 healthy females as a control group. The following methods were employed: Urticaria Activity Score (UAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (SOC-29) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). RESULTS: The CU patients presented a significantly higher anxiety level in comparison to the control group (z = 4.488; p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences regarding depression intensity and SOC. In both groups anxiety and depression negatively correlated with global SOC and all its components. Disease severity positively correlated with QoL (ρ = 0.46, p < 0.01) and negatively with global SOC (ρ = -0.33, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bearing in mind higher prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in our CU group, it would be useful to perform screening of these aspects in all CU patients and subsequently develop respective psychological interventions, based on enhancement of personal resources.

[The Polish adaptation of the public speaking anxiety questionnaire]. / Polska adaptacja Kwestionariusza Leku przed Wystapieniami Publicznymi.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was the Polish adaptation of the shortened Public Speaking Anxiety Questionnaire GFER by Spitznagel and co-workers. METHODS: GFER is a self-assessment method which consists of 16 statements and is designed to assess emotions, physiological reactions, and thoughts that appear in a situation of public speaking. GFER was used to examine 320 students from Lodz's universities. The State/Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI by Spielberger, The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale by Zigmunt and Snaith and TCI by Cloninger were also used. RESULTS: The Polish version of GFER is a reliable and valid tool. The factor structure is similar to the original structure. As a result of the conducted analyses, there was obtained the 9-item version of the tool, which has a 2-factor structure - factor I: emotional and physiological reactions, factor II: worrying. The results obtained with GFER present a statistically significant correlation with other measures of anxiety and with the dimension of temperament: harm avoidance. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results indicate that GFER may be used in both scientific research and therapeutic practice.

Itch, disease coping strategies and quality of life in psoriasis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a psychodermatological condition, so psychological factors can trigger and/or exacerbate skin lesions. Additionally, disease can be a source of stress and can worsen patients' quality of life (QoL). AIM: To evaluate the relationship between medical (disease severity, itch) and psychological variables (disease coping strategies, QoL) in the psoriasis patients group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprises 60 in-patients of the dermatological ward (30 females and 30 males) with the diagnosis of psoriasis. METHODS USED: Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Itch Severity Evaluation Questionnaire, Coping with Skin Disease Scale-SRS-DER, SKINDEX-29 questionnaire. RESULTS: The study demonstrated significant correlations between disease coping strategies, itch and quality of life. Women presented worse QoL (generally and in physical functioning). The older patients with a longer disease duration revealed QoL impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results could help in identifying patients risk groups which are in the highest danger of decreased QoL. Our data indicate the need for psychological interventions.

[Importance of physician-patient relations in therapeutic process of patients with hematological neoplasms]. / Znaczenie relacji lekarz-pacjent dla procesu terapeutycznego chorych na nowotwory ukladu krwiotwórczego.

A cancer diagnosis provides significantly level of emotional distress and discomfort both for patient and his family. They must confront themselves with the new, difficult reality. A cancer-related distress may promote the serious psychic disturbances and influenced negatively the therapeutic process. The good interpersonal relationship between physician and patient clearly decreased the level of fear and depression, improved patient's physical and psychical state. Patients who have good communication with their physician are more prone to good adherence and compliance which are essential for the effective therapeutic process. This article discusses the role of relationship between physician and patient regarding its influence on compliance and provides a review of different types of therapeutic contact and the principles of building the physician-patient relationship.

Optimism as a predictor of health-related quality of life in psoriatics.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic and relapsing disease which significantly affects the quality of life and social functioning of the affected people. It is one of the so-called psychodermatological diseases, which means that there exists a psychological component in the image of the disease. AIM: To examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in psoriatics and selected demographic, medical and psychological (dispositional optimism) variables and to determine the predictors of HRQoL in the examined group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of 138 patients with the diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris. Most respondents (125) had psoriasis on exposed parts of the body. METHODS USED: SKINDEX, Life Orientation Test, PASI. RESULTS: The gender does not differentiate patients in terms of HRQoL and optimism. Almost all of analyzed variables correlate with HRQoL and all examined variables explain the results variability for overall HRQoL but only optimism explains the highest percentage of the variability (ß = -0.35). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a very interesting relationship - the stronger optimism the better quality of life in psoriatics. So, a generalized expectation of positive life events is related to better assessment of HRQoL.

[Coping with chronic somatic disease according to the concept of psychological stress]. / Zmaganie sie z przewlekta choroba somatyczna w swietle psychologicznej koncepcji stresu.

The article presents the problem of coping with chronic disease according to the concept of psychological stress. The Lazarus and Folkman theory in which stress is regarded as a relational concept, the importance of cognitive assessment and functions of coping with disease are described. The attention is paid to the illness perception and its impact on the behavioral and emotional processes. The most known tools for stress assessment and coping with stress and current research directions are shown.

Health-related quality of life in psoriasis: important role of personal resources.

Many patients with psoriasis demonstrate psychological disturbances, including decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate selected personal resources and HRQoL in 168 in-patients with psoriasis vulgaris. The following questionnaires were used: Skindex-29, General Health Questionnaire, Coping with Skin Disease Scale, Acceptance of Illness Scale, Life Orientation Test, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale and General Self-Efficacy Scale. It was demonstrated that younger patients experienced fewer problems in psychosocial functioning, and that they showed a correlation between worse HRQoL and both external powerful others and external chance domains in locus of health control. Subjective self-evaluation of health correlated with HRQoL irrespective of patient's age. Coping with stress strategies hopelessness/helplessness and distraction/catastrophization correlated with worse overall HRQoL, whereas fighting spirit strategy correlated with better overall HRQoL. Hopelessness/helplessness coping strategy, somatic symptoms, disease acceptance, psoriasis severity and patient's age explained 61% of overall HRQoL variance. Psychomedical interventions designed for psoriatic patients should take into account the above variables.

[Quality of life in health and disease--what is it, how and why evaluate it]. / Jakosc zycia w zdrowiu i chorobie--czym jest, jak i po co ja oceniac.

The concept of quality of life has many meanings, is variously defined, understood and tested. There is no universal, generally accepted definition of quality of life, but all of the ways to understand this construct have common features--quality of life is subjective, it is associated with health but its meaning is much broader and multidimensional by involving multiple clinical, functional and social variables. In the last decade, followed by redefining the concept of health as a positive resource it is recommended to perceive the quality of life holistically, including both--satisfaction with life in general and satisfaction with its particular domains. The study is an attempt to present the matter of quality of life in the most synthetic way possible, to the extent allowed by its complexity.

[Psychosocial impact of rosacea]. / Psychospoleczne aspekty funkcjonowania osób chorych na tradzik rózowaty.

Rosacea is a common skin disease. Because of its recurrent character, frequent unsatisfying results of treatment and a cosmetic problem, the skin lesions cause negative patients' psychosocial functioning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate life satisfaction, social support, general health, anxiety and depression level in people with rosacea. An attempt to select conditions which determine the life satisfaction in these patients was also made. 40 people with rosacea and 40 people with no skin lesions were the subjects of the study. It was demonstrated that in comparison to the control group, patients with rosacea are less satisfied with their lives, subjectively feel that they receive poor social support, develop great intensity of symptoms, have difficulty in functioning in everyday life, worse general health perception, along with a higher level of anxiety and depression. Level of anxiety and depression as well as social integration proved to be the predictors of life satisfaction.

[Anxiety, depression and social support in patients with psoriasis]. / Lek i depresja, a wsparcie spoleczne u chorych na luszczyce.

Dermatological patients present significantly more psychological disturbances of various types than the general population. The aim of the present study was to analyze anxiety and depression in relation to social support in psoriasis patients. The study was performed on a group of 32 psoriasis vulgaris in-patients of the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lódz. The following questionnaires were employed: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Social Support Questionnaire (SOZU--Soziale Unterstützung). Psoriasis severity was evaluated by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Elderly psoriatic patients presented significantly higher levels of both anxiety and depression. Moreover, lower depression levels were observed in patients with positive psoriatic family history. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between anxiety level and cutaneous lesions severity, pruritus severity and longer disease duration. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between both anxiety and depression levels and social support. In conclusion, support groups should primarily be organized for elderly psoriatic patients with negative psoriatic family history.

[Quality of life predictors among patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus]. / Wyznaczniki jakosci zycia chorych na toczen rumieniowaty ukladowy.

Researches on quality of life have been undertaken from dozens of years. However, there are few information about quality of life among people suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to set predictors making possible quality of life anticipation. The participants of the studied group were 42 patients with inactive illness stage (disease severity were estimated by SLAM scale). Quality of life was measured by own questionnaire. Personal resources, which are the base of anticipation, were estimated by standardized tests (AIS, LOT, GSES). The results indicated that two of examined variables became the quality of predictors: helpless/hopeless strategy and illness acceptation.

[The present application and the perspective progress of cognitive-behavioural therapy]. / Obecne zastosowania i perspektywy rozwoju terapii poznawczo-behawioralnej.

The article presents the basic principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy and its applications in treating depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addictions. The possibility of using cognitive-behavioural interventions for chronic somatic diseases (ischaemic heart disease, skin diseases, insomnia, migraine and chronic prostatitis) are also suggested.