Oral health-related quality of life in implant-supported rehabilitations: a prospective single-center observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is a comprehensive concept covering daily comfort, self-esteem, and satisfaction with oral health, including functional, psychological, and social aspects, as well as pain experiences. Despite abundant research on OHRQoL related to oral diseases and hygiene, there is limited data on how patients perceive changes after implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate OHRQoL and aesthetic perception using OHIP-14 and VAS scales respectively, before (baseline-TB), during (provisional prostheses-TP), and after (definitive prostheses-TD) implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. It also explored the impact of biological sex, substitution numbers, and aesthetic interventions on OHRQoL and VAS scores, along with changes in OHIP-14 domains. METHODS: A longitudinal prospective single-center observational cohort study was conducted with patients requiring implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. Quality of life relating to dental implants was assessed through the Italian version of Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (IOHIP-14), which has a summary score from 14 to 70. Patients' perceived aesthetic was analyzed through a VAS scale from 0 to 100. Generalized Linear Mixed Effect Models, Linear Mixed Effect Models, and Friedman test analyzed patient responses. RESULTS: 99 patients (35 males, 64 females) aged 61-74, receiving various prosthetic interventions, were enrolled. Both provisional and definitive prosthetic interventions significantly decreased the odds of a worse quality of life compared to baseline, with odds ratios of 0.04 and 0.01 respectively. VAS scores increased significantly after both interventions, with estimated increases of 30.44 and 51.97 points respectively. Patient-level variability was notable, with an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.43. While biological sex, substitution numbers, and aesthetic interventions didn't significantly affect VAS scores, OHRQoL domains showed significant changes post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the effectiveness of implant-prosthetic interventions in improving the quality of life and perceived aesthetics of patients undergoing oral rehabilitation. They have important implications for clinical practice, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment approaches to optimize patient outcomes and satisfaction in oral health care.

Unveiling perspectives on the psychosocial impacts of childhood cancer survival on young adult survivors' reassimilation journey: A qualitative exploration.

Background: Approximately 82% of children with childhood cancer survive more than five years after diagnosis. Living as a cancer survivor elicits a new reality that can include psychosocial impacts. These psychosocial impacts interact collectively, especially regarding reassimilation, and are rarely explored. Objective: To explore the psychosocial impacts of surviving childhood cancer and reassimilation back into society in young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Methodology: Individual in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with childhood cancer survivors and explored psychosocial aspects associated with returning to work, school, and social environments after remission. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was conducted once interviews were manually transcribed. A group interview with survivors was held to discuss the study's findings and interpretation. Results: Individual interviews and the group interview revealed three major themes: outlook on reassimilating, outlook on coping, and outlook on cancer. Conclusions: This work is a first step to understanding how survivors' personal outlook on coping and healthcare system barriers play influential roles in reassimilation following cancer treatment. Survivors expressed the need for reliable survivorship information and improved communication with healthcare providers regarding what to expect, so they could feel prepared for life post-cancer. These aspects need to be explored more deeply through other qualitative studies.

Gender equity in hemophilia: need for healthcare, familial, and societal advocacy.

Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder caused by a genetic defect on chromosome X. It is inherited as an X-linked trait, and hence, it is more frequently diagnosed in males, whereas women have been traditionally considered only as carriers of the disease. However, the role of women in families of patients with hemophilia is pivotal. As mothers, sisters, daughters, and female partners of patients with hemophilia, they play a central role in the management of the patient, considering healthcare, social, and familial aspects, but they might be affected by the disease as well, particularly in regions where consanguinity is frequent. This paper aims to explore the involvement of women in hemophilia, including their carrier status, bleeding symptoms, treatment challenges, and psychosocial impact not only related to male patients, but also as patients affected with hemophilia themselves. We advocate health equity, equal access to healthcare for men and women with hemophilia and dedicated resources to improve the unique needs of the women dealing with hemophilia, ultimately leading to improved care and quality of life.

Classified diagnosis and treatment scheme of oral cosmetic restoration based on aesthetic analysis (part â ¡): Chinese aesthetic connotation and analysis scheme.

At present, the commonly used clinical protocols of oral cosmetic restoration are mostly based on the oral aesthetic indexes proposed by Western developed countries (referred to as Western aesthetics), which are different from the oral aesthetic indexes unique to Chinese people (referred to as Chinese aesthetics). In the design of restoration schemes and the evaluation of restoration effects, these differences have a large or small effect on the doctor-patient-technology triad. Improper handling could directly weaken the cooperation efficiency of the three parties, reduce patient satisfaction, and even lead to medical disputes in serious cases. From doing a good job of oral cosmetic restoration in China, the connotative characteristics of Chinese oral aesthetics are introduced in this paper, and the value of oral aesthetic analysis in diagnosis and treatment is discussed. The process and method of aesthetic analysis and assessment through the modified Chinese psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics questionnaire and the evaluation ruler of the expected value of oral cosmetic restoration are further introduced in detail.

Psychosocial risk profiles to address future health emergencies: a country study during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Colombia.

Introduction: The different strategies used worldwide to curb the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021 had a negative psychosocial impact, which was disproportionately higher for socially and economically vulnerable groups. This article seeks to identify the psychosocial impact of the confinement period during the COVID-19 pandemic for the Colombian population by identifying profiles that predict the levels of different mental health indicators (feelings of fear, positive emotions or feelings during free time, and work impact) and based on them, characterize the risk factors and protection that allows us to propose guidelines for prevention or recovery from future health emergencies. Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, retrospective ex post facto study. Multistage cluster probabilistic sampling and binary logistic regression analysis were used to predict extreme levels of various mental health indicators based on psychosocial indicators of the COVID-19 confinement period and to identify risk and protection factors. Results: A relationship was established between the combination of some of the different psychosocial factors evaluated (this combination being the predictive profile identified) with each of the three main variables: feeling of fear (n = 8,247; R = 0.32; p = 0.00; Poverall = 62.4%; 𝜔overall = 0.25; 1-𝛽overall = 1.00), positive emotions or feelings during free time (n = 6,853; R = 0.25; p = 0.00; Poverall = 59.1%; 𝜔overall = 0.18; 1-𝛽overall = 1.00) and labour impact (n = 4,573; R = 0.47; p = 0.63; Poverall = 70.4%; 𝜔overall = 0.41; 1-𝛽overall = 1.00), with social vulnerability determined by sociodemographic factors that were common in all profiles (sex, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic level) and conditions associated with job insecurity (unemployed, loss of health insurance and significant changes to job's requirements) and place of residence (city). Conclusion: For future health emergencies, it is necessary to (i) mitigate the socio-employment impact from emergency containment measures in a scaled and differentiated manner at the local level, (ii) propose prevention and recovery actions through psychosocial and mental health care accessible to the entire population, especially vulnerable groups, (iii) Design and implement work, educational and recreational adaptation programs that can be integrated into confinement processes.

Psychosocial and Service Delivery Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children With Respiratory Conditions, Their Parents and Their Health Care Providers.

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed widespread impacts on the health and well-being of children with respiratory challenges and their families, as well as on the health care system that supports them. An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken to examine how the pandemic impacted families' and health care providers' daily lives and experiences of care. Four youth, 12 parents and 7 health care providers participated in interviews via telephone or online technology. Content analysis of transcribed interviews revealed participant experiences, including initial responses to the pandemic, adjustment to pandemic shifts, and anticipation of the future. While deleterious physical health impacts were minimal for children with pre-existing respiratory conditions, their mental health was negatively impacted by the pandemic and related health protocols. Families and health care providers experienced strain, yet demonstrated resilience. Pandemic-related shifts profoundly impacted daily life at home, school, and work. Pediatric pandemic planning in clinical care is recommended to better address the needs of children with respiratory conditions and their families as well as pediatric health care providers.

Congenital Anomalies of the Female Genital Tract: A Comprehensive Review.

This comprehensive review provides an in-depth examination of congenital anomalies of the female genital tract, explicitly focusing on the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Müllerian Anomalies Classification. The classification system is crucial for standardizing communication and guiding accurate diagnoses in clinical practice. The review explores the diverse clinical presentations, etiological factors, and diagnostic modalities associated with these anomalies. Management strategies, ranging from conservative approaches to advanced reproductive technologies, are discussed in the context of individualized treatment plans based on the ASRM classification. The psychosocial impact of female genital tract anomalies is thoroughly examined, emphasizing the importance of holistic care and patient-centered approaches. Looking toward the future, the review outlines emerging research areas, including advances in diagnosis techniques, innovative treatment modalities, and genetic studies. It ultimately underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of physical and psychosocial dimensions, offering insights for healthcare professionals to navigate this complex landscape and improve the lives of affected individuals.

A Systematic Review of the Psychosocial Impact of Endometriosis before and after Treatment.

While endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease associated with infertility, the psychosocial impact of endometriosis has not been evaluated against various quality of life (QoL) instruments and compared with other chronic illnesses. We rigorously analyzed the psychosocial burden of endometriosis in adult women and compared standardized and validated QoL scores of women with and without endometriosis, before and following treatment, and against other chronic illnesses. We searched PubMed, PsychINFO Embase, and Cochrane Reviews and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1990 to December 2022 for publications using a detailed list of search terms related to QoL, endometriosis, and questionnaires. Only English-language publications that evaluated the association between Endometriosis and QoL using standardized and validated questionnaires measured at baseline and following treatment were considered. Four reviewers first performed a title and abstract screening followed by full text-review to finalize included articles. QoL scores of women with endometriosis were measured at baseline and analyzed against women without endometriosis and women with endometriosis who had undergone treatment. Additionally, baseline endometriosis scores were assessed against the published QoL scores of populations with other chronic conditions. Assessment of risk of bias was performed in accordance with Cochrane and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale guidelines. A total of 30 articles were included in this review: 4 randomized trials and 26 observational studies. The diagnosis and experience of women with symptomatic endometriosis had an equal or worse QoL score than that of other chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and breast cancer when compared using the 36-Item Short Form Survey and World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaires. Evidence showed association between low QoL and infertility, sexual dysfunction, mental health struggles, physical pain, poor sleep and fatigue. QoL scores were lower at baseline compared to following treatment in the majority of these domains. Endometriosis is associated with significant psychosocial burden and impaired QoL scores across baseline measurements in comparison to controls and other chronic illnesses. Medical and surgical interventions significantly decreased experienced burdens and improved QoL of women with endometriosis.

The psychosocial impact of eye-gaze assistive technology on everyday life of children and adults.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the psychosocial impact of eye-gaze assistive technology (EGAT) in both children and adults with long-term experience using eye-gaze assistive technology in everyday life, as well as the psychosocial impact as related to duration of use. METHODS: In this descriptive comparative study, 34 adult and 27 child EGAT users participated in a structured individual interview using the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS). RESULTS: The participants' age ranged from 5-74 years, 50% were female and 52% had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The EGAT had a positive psychosocial impact on competence, adaptability, and self-esteem among adult and child users. Competence was the only subscale with a higher value for adults (p = 0.038), compared to children. The items with the highest impact for the psychosocial aspects were quality of life, ability to participate, and self-esteem. The adults had longer duration of use than children, but for high-, medium-, and low-duration users, the device showed a positive psychosocial impact. CONCLUSIONS: Participants considered EGAT to have high positive impacts for participation and quality of life. The study adds new knowledge in that high positive psychosocial impact may be found even among low-duration users of EGAT, which is important to consider for service providers.

Patient experiences of receiving a diagnosis of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) presents with a wide range of clinical symptoms and comorbidities that impact quality of life. The diagnosis is challenging and often delayed due to the heterogeneity of the disease and lack of diagnostic biomarkers, which adds to the disease burden by affecting patients' psychosocial adaptation and overall well-being. Previous studies have revealed that healthcare professionals and the public have a limited understanding and familiarity with the condition, which leads to disapproval and skepticism that greatly impact patients' social spheres and welfare. While physical manifestations have been widely discussed, the psychosocial impact and the importance of receiving a diagnosis have not been fully studied in the current literature. This survey study investigated the impact of diagnosis in hEDS patients, selected from the University of Miami's hEDS registry. Survey questions were formulated based on clinical expertise and literature review. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman's correlation were used for data analysis. The median age at symptom presentation was 10 years, with a median gap of 4 years before the initial medical evaluation. On average, it took 10 years to receive a diagnosis of hEDS. Nearly all participants (95.2%) expressed receiving a diagnosis as "important" or "highly important," with 81.9% agreeing that it helped them cope with their condition better, 76.8% could better manage their symptoms, and felt more in control of their long-term care. Participants mostly had a positive emotional reaction and experienced an improvement in the support they were receiving from their caregivers and healthcare providers after receiving a diagnosis of hEDS. This study demonstrates that receiving a diagnosis could positively impact the patient's support, quality of care, and overall well-being.

Psychosocial Impact of a True-Positive, False-Positive, or Inconclusive Newborn Bloodspot Screening Result: A Questionnaire Study among Parents.

Expansion of newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) can increase health gain for more children but also increases the number of false-positive and uncertain results. The impact of abnormal and inconclusive NBS results on parental well-being and healthcare utilization was investigated. A questionnaire was sent to Dutch parents receiving an abnormal or inconclusive NBS result five weeks (T1) and four months (T2) post-NBS and compared to parents with a normal result (controls). In total, 35 true-positive (TP), 20 false-positive (FP), and 57 inconclusive (IC) participants and 268 controls filled out T1; 19 TP, 14 FP, 27 IC, and 116 controls filled out T2. Participants showed positive attitudes towards NBS. FP participants more often considered NBS less reliable. TP and FP participants experienced more negative emotions regarding the test result compared to controls at both T1 and T2, and IC only at T1. Parent-reported child vulnerability and perceptions of the newborn's health status and of parenthood showed no differences. TP and FP participants reported more healthcare utilization at T1, and mainly TP at T2. TP and IC participants showed more emergency department visits at T1. The findings can be used to improve NBS programs and optimize support for families with various NBS results.

Evaluating the influence of dental aesthetics on psychosocial well-being and self-esteem among students of the University of Novi Sad, Serbia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: A person's smile has been identified as one of the first observed facial characteristics. Even minor deviations from societal beauty standards, especially among younger individuals, can have a negative effect on their self-esteem. The aim of this research is to evaluate the self-perceived psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics and self-esteem among respondents and their association, as well as to determine the main factors contributing to dissatisfaction with dental appearance. METHODS: This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study that surveyed students of the University of Novi Sad. Other Universities and private faculties were excluded from participation. Data collection used standardized questionnaires measuring the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics (PIDAQ) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Questionnaire (an online GoogleForms) was sent to the students via official Facebook groups of the faculties, student's e-mails and Instagram profiles. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Students T-test, ANOVA, multiple linear regression analysis and Spearman coefficient. To test internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha(α) was calculated for the questionnaire as a whole (0,761) and each used questionnaire (PIDAQ - 0.766; RSES - 0.765). Cronbach's alpha(α) was also calculated for each domain from PIDAQ (DSC-0.946; SI-0.882; PI-0.953; AC-0.916). RESULTS: The study involved 410 participants, predominantly female (80%), aged between 21 and 23 (45.4%), primarily in ther first academic year (21.5%), and with a grade point average between 8.01 and 9.00 (42.4%). Data analysis has shown a statistically significant difference in the total PIDAQ score and SI subdomain in relation to the academic year (total PIDAQ p = 0.025; SI p = 0.000). In terms of self-esteem, results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the academic year (95%CI: 0.410-1.837; p = 0.002) and the average point grade (95%CI: -0.025-1.600; p = 0.047) were significant predictors of greater self-esteem. The Spearman coefficient value (r=-0.316, p < 0.001) confirmed a statistically significant negative correlation between PIDAQ and self-esteem. Only 34% of respondents expressed satisfaction with their teeth. Dissatisfaction about the smile was primarily attributed to the arrangement and positioning of their teeth (32.2%). Financial constraints were identified as the main barrier for seeking interventions to improve smile satisfaction (39.5%). CONCLUSION: Students experiencing a greater psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics tended to exhibit lower self-esteem.

Psychosocial Impact of Food Allergy on Children and Adults and Practical Interventions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: IgE- and non-IgE-mediated food allergies are increasing in prevalence in children and adults worldwide. A food allergy diagnosis can be associated with a sense of overwhelm and stress and commonly has a negative impact on quality of life. RECENT FINDINGS: While there is an increased recognition of the psychosocial effects of food allergy, the current research reflects the experience of mostly White, well-educated wealthier populations. Some studies have now explored the psychosocial impact among other populations; however, further study is needed. It is important that physicians and allied health professionals screen for the potentially negative psychosocial effects of food allergy and provide education to promote safety and self-efficacy at each visit; however, time may be a limiting factor. Numerous validated questionnaires are now available to help assess the psychosocial impact of food allergies. Allergy-friendly foods are typically more expensive, and thus, it is imperative that physicians screen for food insecurity as well. Educational resources should be offered regarding living well with food allergies at each visit. For patients and families experiencing anxiety or food allergy burden that is difficult to manage, referral to a mental health provider should be considered. Resources regarding programs to help accessing safe foods should also be available. Further research is needed among diverse populations focusing on interventions to best support patients and families with food allergy.

Workload and psychosocial risks among nurses in mental health and psychiatry in Chile.

The present study aims to explore and compare psychosocial risks and work overload among nursing professionals in the field mental health and psychiatry in Chile. Quantitative, observational and cross-sectional research was designed for this purpose. Nurses from community, ambulatory, hospital and emergency units in mental health and psychiatry in Chile were recruited between January and May 2022. Instruments of psychosocial variables and an occupational psychosocial risk scale based on the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire were used. Descriptive and correlational statistics were used, as well as independent samples t-tests, Factorial Anova and post-hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction. As a result, 174 nursing professionals were recruited, 79.3% female, average age 33.9 years. One-third belonged to the Metropolitan Region of Chile. The highest psychosocial risk was obtained by nurses over 30 years of age, from the Metropolitan Region, with more than 16 patients under their care, at the hospital or psychiatric emergency level. Significant differences were observed in work overload and psychosocial risks according to personal and work characteristics of the professionals, as well as of the users and health services. The levels of psychosocial risk and work overload of mental health and psychiatric nurses were reported, as well as the comparison of these according to personal, sociodemographic, and work characteristics. In order to improve the quality of work life of these professionals and the quality of these services, it is essential to develop interventions focused on the dimensions addressed, as well as to define norms and policies that ensure a workload in accordance with international standards.

The impact of fibroid treatments on quality of life and mental health: a systematic review.

Fibroids significantly impact the quality of life (QOL) and mental health of affected women. However, there are limited comparative data on QOL measures after medical, surgical, and radiologic interventions in women with fibroids. This study aimed to assess the current literature evaluating the impact of fibroids on QOL measures using several validated questionnaires for radiologic, medical, or surgical interventions or a combination of interventions before and after treatment. PubMed, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from January 1990 to October 2023 to evaluate the available evidence, and the risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0 or the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The review criteria included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational cohort studies that included premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine fibroids, confirmed by imaging, who underwent an intervention to target fibroid disease. Only reports using validated questionnaires with a numerical baseline (pretreatment) and posttreatment scores were included. The exclusion criteria included perimenopausal or postmenopausal patients, conditions in addition to uterine fibroids that share similar symptoms, or studies that did not focus on QOL assessment. Abstracts were screened, and full texts were reviewed to determine whether studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 67 studies were included after final review: 18 RCTs and 49 observational studies. All interventions were associated with a significant improvement in uterine fibroid-specific QOL measures, mental health metrics, and a reduction in symptom severity scores after treatment. These data reveal a substantial impact of uterine fibroids on the QOL and mental health of women with fibroids and indicate the metrics that can be used to compare the effectiveness of fibroid treatment options.

Australian emergency nurses' experiences of working with personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a need to understand the challenges associated with wearing Personal protective Equipment (PPE). The aim in this study was to explore emergency nurses' experiences early in the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and the impact of PPE use on their practice. METHODS: An explorative descriptive qualitative study was conducted between January 2022 and April 2022. Eighteen emergency nurses and six leaders participated. Semi-structured interviews (n = 21) and one focus group were conducted. Interview transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke's framework. RESULTS: Two major themes were identified. The first theme was: (1) The shifting ground of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Associated sub-themes were: i) What's the go with PPE today? ii) In the beginning we were scrambling for masks; iii) Emergency is the true frontline. The second theme was: (2) Physical and emotional impacts of emergency nursing work. Sub-themes were: (i) Facing the fear of exposure; (ii) By the end of the shift I am just absolutely spent; iii) Discomfort of wearing PPE impacts on compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare leaders need to secure PPE supply chains and evaluate the effectiveness and side-effects of different PPE designs to minimise occupational harms associated with prolonged PPE use.

Repercussões psicossociais da pandemia da covid-19 para mães de crianças com transtorno do espectro autista / Psychosocial repercussions of the covid-19 pandemic for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder / Repercusiones psicosociales de la pandemia de covid-19 en las madres de niños con trastorno del espectro autista

RESUMO Objetivo: compreender as repercussões psicossociais da pandemia da COVID-19 para mães de crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista. Método: estudo qualitativo, com a participação de 22 mães. Os dados foram coletados de maio a julho de 2022, no interior da Paraíba, Brasil, por meio de uma Dinâmica de Criatividade e Sensibilidade. A análise deu-se através do referencial teórico-analítico da análise de discurso francesa. Resultados: medo, ansiedade, angústia, preocupações assumiram um lugar central no movimento dialógico das mães. Diante das demandas e reconfigurações na rotina, houve uma sobrecarrega física, emocional e psicológica, com repercussões na vida materna. A solidão pôde ser evidenciada pela frágil ou inexistente rede de apoio durante o período pandêmico. Conclusão: o estudo pode subsidiar a reflexão sobre as repercussões da pandemia na vida de mães de crianças com autismo e viabilizar a elaboração de ações que priorizem a saúde mental, auxiliando-as na superação de momentos de adversidades.

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the psychosocial repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic for mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Method: a qualitative study, with participation of 22 mothers. The data were collected from May to July 2022 in the inland of Paraíba, Brazil, through the Dynamics of Creativity and Sensitivity. The analysis took place through the theoretical-analytical framework of French discourse analysis. Results: fear, anxiety, anguish and concerns assumed a central place in the mothers' dialogical movement. Faced with the demands and reconfigurations in the routine, there was physical, emotional and psychological overload, with repercussions on maternal life. Loneliness can be seen in the weak or non-existent support network during the pandemic. Conclusion: the study can support reflection on the repercussions of the pandemic on the lives of mothers of children with autism and enable the development of actions that prioritize mental health, helping them to overcome moments of adversity.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender las repercusiones psicosociales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en las madres de niños con Trastorno del Espectro Autista. Método: estudio cualitativo, con la participación de 22 madres. Los datos fueron recolectados de mayo a julio de 2022, en el interior de Paraíba, Brasil, mediante una Dinámica de Creatividad y Sensibilidad. El análisis se realizó siguiendo el marco teórico-analítico del análisis del discurso francés. Resultados: el miedo, la ansiedad, la angustia y las preocupaciones ocuparon un lugar central en el movimiento dialógico de las madres. Ante las exigencias y reconfiguraciones de la rutina, las madres sufrieron una sobrecarga física, emocional y psicológica que afectó su vida. La soledad se puede ver en la débil o nula red de apoyo que tuvieron durante la pandemia. Conclusión: el estudio puede contribuir a la reflexión sobre las repercusiones de la pandemia en la vida de las madres de niños con autismo y posibilitar el desarrollo de acciones que prioricen la salud mental que las ayuden a superar momentos de adversidad.

Influence of pain prognosis and electrical stimulation modality on the amplitude of current elicited at sensory threshold in chronic lumbar pain sufferers / Influência do prognóstico para dor e da modalidade de estimulação elétrica na amplitude de corrente elicitada no limiar sensorial em lombálgicos crônicos

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sensory function may be altered in chronic low back pain (CLBP), which may alter the perception of therapeutic currents. The aim of this study was to verify whether the risk of poor prognosis for CLBP pain influences the amplitude elicited at the sensory threshold (ST) in different modalities of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental counterbalanced study with 40 subjects divided into four groups (n=10 each), according to the risk of poor prognosis for pain: no risk (control group - CG), low (LrG), medium (MrG), and high (HrG) risks. Four modalities of NMES were tested: two medium frequency currents (Aussie current [AC] and Russian current [RC]) and two low frequency currents (commonly known as functional electrical stimulation [FES]), with two phase durations of200 μs (FES_200) and 500 μs (FES_500), in the region of the lumbar multifidus muscles. All subjects were exposed to all current modalities with interval periods, and when the ST was reached, the amplitude of the current measured in mA was recorded. RESULTS: The currents that elicited the highest and lowest amplitude in the ST were FES_200 and AC, respectively. As for the risk of poor prognosis, the highest amplitudes were for the HrG and the lowest for the LrG. CONCLUSION: The amplitude of the current elicited in the ST tended to be higher among those with a higher risk of poor prognosis for pain and, among the currents, those of medium frequency elicited lower amplitudes.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A função sensorial é potencialmente alterada na presença de dor lombar crônica (DLC), o que pode alterar a percepção de passagem de correntes terapêuticas. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se o risco de mau prognóstico para DLC influencia a amplitude elicitada no limiar sensorial (LS) em diferentes modalidades de estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM). MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental contrabalanceado composto por 40 voluntários alocados em quatro grupos (n=10 cada), de acordo com o risco de mau prognóstico para dor: sem risco (grupo controle - GC), baixo risco (GBR), médio risco (GMR) e alto risco (GAR). Foram testadas quatro modalidades de EENM: duas correntes de média frequência (corrente Aussie [CA] e corrente Russa [CR]) e duas correntes de baixa frequência (comumente denominada estimulação elétrica funcional [FES]), com duas durações de fases 200 μs (FES_200) e 500 μs (FES_500) na região dos músculos multífidos lombares. Todos os voluntários foram submetidos a todas as modalidades de corrente, com períodos de intervalos, e ao ser atingido o LS, foi realizado o registro da amplitude da corrente medida em mA. RESULTADOS: As correntes que elicitaram a maior e a menor amplitude no LS foram, respectivamente, FES_200 e CA. Quanto ao risco de mau prognóstico, as maiores amplitudes foram do GAR e as menores do GBR. CONCLUSÃO: A amplitude da corrente elicitada no LS tendeu a ser mais alta entre aqueles com maior risco de mau prognóstico para dor e, dentre as correntes, aquelas de média frequência elicitaram amplitudes mais baixas.A amplitude da corrente elicitada no LS tendeu a ser mais alta entre aqueles com maior risco de mau prognóstico para dor e, dentre as correntes, aquelas de média frequência elicitaram amplitudes mais baixas.

Attentional bias in psoriasis: The role of processing time and emotional valence.

PURPOSE: The present study explored whether people with psoriasis display an attentional bias towards disease-related threat words and whether this bias occurs relatively early during the phase of stimulus disengagement, or during a later maintained attention phase dominated by controlled strategic processes. We also explored the degree to which attentional bias is dependent on the emotional valence of control words. METHODS: Individuals with psoriasis and matched controls took part in 4 online experiments. Participants completed a spatial cueing paradigm using disease-related threat words and control words as cues, in order to obtain reaction time estimates of attentional bias. RESULTS: We did not observe evidence for attentional bias when control words were matched with threat words for emotional valence, regardless of whether processing time for the cues was limited (Experiment 1: SOA = 250 ms) or extended (Experiment 2: SOA = 1050 ms). We also did not observe evidence for attentional bias when control words of positive valence were used, but processing time was limited (Experiment 3). An attentional bias was only observed (p = .012, Cohen's d = .37) when sufficient processing time was available and positively-valanced control words were used (Experiment 4). CONCLUSION: Rather than showing large and generalized AB effects as predicted by previous accounts, our results tentatively suggest that AB in psoriasis is restricted to situations where participants have ample processing time and threat words are easily distinguishable from control words on the basis of emotional valence. The pattern of results suggests that attentional bias in psoriasis is best characterized as a relatively slow strategic process.

Psychosocial impact of recurrent urogenital infections: a review.

Recurrent urogenital infections such as bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and urinary tract infections have a high prevalence and pronounced psychosocial impact. However, no review has compared the psychosocial impacts across infection types. This narrative review discusses the impact of common recurrent urogenital infections on psychosocial aspects, including quality of life, stress, mental health, sexual health, work productivity, race and ethnicity, and satisfaction of medical care. Validated questionnaires show that women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and urinary tract infections have decreased scores on all aspects of quality of life. Those with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and urinary tract infections show lower mental health scores compared to the general population, with increased risk of anxiety and depression. Recurrent urogenital infections affect sexual relationships and intimacy, including avoidance due to symptoms or as a method of prevention. Recurrent infections also increase medical cost and negatively affect work productivity, leading to a combined estimated cost of over US$13 billion per year. There are clear effects of racial inequality involving minority populations that affect diagnosis, treatment, prevalence, and reporting of recurrent urogenital infections. Satisfactory medical treatment improves quality of life and mental health in those suffering from these conditions. Research evaluating psychosocial aspects of recurrent urogenital infections is variable and is not comparable across vulvovaginal conditions. Even so, psychosocial factors are important in understanding contribution and consequence of urogenital infections. Education, awareness, normalization, community support, and access to care can help to alleviate the negative implications of recurrent urogenital infections.

A narrative review discussing the psychosocial impact of common recurrent urogenital infections and highlights areas where further research is needed to improve clinical care.