Health-related Quality of Life of Macedonian Families Experiencing Cystic Fibrosis in Pediatric Practice.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a parameter that is examined in the area of clinical effectiveness. Like other chronic health conditions, paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) impacts not only children but also their families. AIM: The present study investigates for the first time the HRQoL of children and parents in the Republic of North Macedonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey included 22 children (6 to 13 years of age) and their parents and 7 parents of children under 6 years of age by using the CFQ Revised and questions for current medical treatment. RESULTS: Children (6-13 years) reported the highest score for the digestive condition (84.85), while the lowest score was given for social activity (59.74). The highest score for digestive condition was also obtained from the parents of children from 6-13 years and under age of 6. The parents of children (6-13 years) reported the lowest score (60.56) for treatment burden activity, while the lowest score (50.0) for eating condition was obtained from the parents of children under 6 years. CONCLUSION: Nationality and gender have no significant impact on the HRQoL parameters. The highest scores for the digestive condition, respiratory function and physical condition are in a positive correlation with the fact that enzyme, antibiotic and physical therapy are given as a standard medical care. The lowest scores of the social aspect of the CF patients indicate the need for including a psychological support and support of social workers as a part of the standard medical care of these patients.

Management of supragastric belching with cognitive behavioural therapy: factors determining success and follow-up outcomes at 6-12 months post-therapy.

BACKGROUND: Supragastric belching (SGB) has a significant behavioural component. We recently used cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to treat SGB. We demonstrated that CBT significantly reduces symptoms and improves quality of life in 50% of patients who had completed treatment. AIMS: To investigate factors associated with successful CBT for SGB and to assess symptoms 6-12 months after completion of CBT METHODS: Records of 39 patients who had completed the CBT protocol were analysed. Per cent pre- to post-treatment change in symptoms was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) score. We evaluated the association between 'pre-treatment' factors and 'during-treatment' factors, and symptomatic outcomes. Symptoms were also assessed 6-12 months after treatment. RESULTS: From 'pre-treatment factors', a lower number of SGBs (P < .01) and lower hypervigilance score (P < .04) were significantly associated with a better outcome. From 'during-treatment factors' a higher CBT 'proficiency score' ([a] acceptance of the explanation that SGB is a behavioural phenomenon [b] detection of a warning signal before belching [c] adherence to the exercises treatment) was associated with a better outcome (P = .001). Multiple regression analysis found that number of SGBs, hypervigilance score and CBT proficiency score were independently associated with outcome (P < .01, P = .01, P < .01). VAS score before CBT (267 ± 79) decreased to 151 ± 88 soon after CBT (P < .001), and the effect persisted at 6-12 months follow-up (153 ± 82). CONCLUSIONS: Lower number of SGBs, lower hypervigilance score and higher proficiency during CBT were associated with better CBT outcome. CBT positive effect lasted for at least 6-12 months post-treatment.

Perioperative anxiety and depression in patients undergoing abdominal surgery for benign or malignant disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Etiologies, levels, and associated factors of psychological distress in cancer patients facing surgery are poorly defined. We conducted a prospective comparative study of perioperative anxiety and depression in patients undergoing abdominal surgery for either malignant or benign disease. METHODS: With Institutional Review Board approval, patients consenting for surgery at our institution were enrolled. Surveys were completed at a preoperative visit and within 2 weeks of a postoperative appointment. Participants listed their top three sources of anxiety, and completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the General Anxiety Disorder-7. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients completed the preoperative assessment and 44 (58.7%) finished the postoperative survey. Forty-one were male (51.9%), 12 (15.2%) had a psychiatric comorbidity (PSYHx), and 47 (59.5%) had cancer. Perioperative anxiety and depression did not differ by malignancy status. Patients were most concerned about surgery (22.5%) preoperatively and finances (27.9%) postoperatively. PSYHx, frailty, insurance status, and opioid use were all associated with perioperative psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients did not have significantly higher levels of perioperative psychological distress compared with benign controls. Socioeconomic worries are prevalent throughout the perioperative period, and efforts to alleviate distress should focus on providing adequate counseling.

Best Practice Update: Incorporating Psychogastroenterology Into Management of Digestive Disorders.

Chronic digestive diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and inflammatory bowel diseases, cannot be disentangled from their psychological context-the substantial burden of these diseases is co-determined by symptom and disease severity and the ability of patients to cope with their symptoms without significant interruption to daily life. The growing field of psychogastroenterology focuses on the application of scientifically based psychological principles and techniques to the alleviation of digestive symptoms. In this Clinical Practice Update, we describe the structure and efficacy of 2 major classes of psychotherapy-cognitive behavior therapy and gut-directed hypnotherapy. We focus on the impact of these brain-gut psychotherapies on gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as their ability to facilitate improved coping, resilience, and self-regulation. The importance of the gastroenterologist in the promotion of integrated psychological care cannot be overstated, and recommendations are provided on how to address psychological issues and make an effective referral for brain-gut psychotherapy in routine practice.

Behavioral gastroenterology: An emerging system and new frontier of action.

Behavioral gastroenterology is a new interdisciplinary science that explores the influence of unhealthy lifestyles and psychological factors on the digestive system and addresses the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of digestive diseases. Moreover, the concept of whole-course intervention with a focus on disease prevention and a new model of integrated therapy based on alterations of lifestyle and psychology are being gradually established. This paradigm may substantively impact the prevention and treatment of digestive diseases.

Whats 'App-ening': the help of new technologies in nutrition in digestive diseases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this study is to review the basic concepts of electronic health (eHealth), with a focus on its nutritional applications and its usefulness for digestive diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: eHealth applications for the treatment and monitoring of digestive disease are growing in number. ehealth helps patients in coping with their disease by promoting self-management, which increases adherence to medical treatment and diets, and leads to an improved quality of life. For irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), there are multiple applications that provide dietary advice, for example, a low FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo, Mono, Disaccharides And Polyols) diet. However, many applications lack a symptom scoring function and do not include a module for assisting the essential reintroduction of high FODMAP foods. In general, there are very few applications that enable direct patient communication with healthcare professionals. A more holistic approach that educates patients and enables them to communicate directly with eCare provider through a web application is one of the functions most requested by patients. SUMMARY: eHealth solutions for digestive diseases have a supportive function and a positive impact on patients. However, there is a need to increase patient education and further develop the possibility for care team-patient communication within eHealth solutions.

Physical comorbidities of post-traumatic stress disorder in Australian Vietnam War veterans.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the prevalence of physical comorbidities in Australian Vietnam War veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is higher than in trauma-exposed veterans without PTSD. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional analysis of the health status (based on self-reported and objective clinical assessments) of 298 Australian Vietnam War veterans enrolled by the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute (Brisbane) during February 2014 - July 2015, of whom 108 were confirmed as having had PTSD and 106 served as trauma-exposed control participants.Main outcomes and measures: Diagnostic psychiatric interview and psychological assessments determined PTSD status, trauma exposure, and comorbid psychological symptoms. Demographic data, and medical and sleep history were collected; comprehensive clinical examination, electrocardiography, spirometry, liver transient elastography, and selected pathology assessments and diagnostic imaging were performed. Outcomes associated with PTSD were identified; regression analysis excluded the effects of potentially confounding demographic and risk factors and comorbid symptoms of depression and anxiety. RESULTS: The mean total number of comorbidities was higher among those with PTSD (17.7; SD, 6.1) than in trauma-exposed controls (14.1; SD, 5.2; P < 0.001). For 24 of 171 assessed clinical outcomes, morbidity was greater in the PTSD group, including for conditions of the gastrointestinal, hepatic, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, sleep disorders, and laboratory pathology measures. In regression analyses including demographic factors, PTSD remained positively associated with 17 adverse outcomes; after adjusting for the severity of depressive symptoms, it remained significantly associated with ten. CONCLUSION: PTSD in Australian Vietnam veterans is associated with comorbidities in several organ systems, independent of trauma exposure. A comprehensive approach to the health care of veterans with PTSD is needed.

Prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic digestive system diseases: A multicenter epidemiological study.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic digestive system diseases. METHODS: A total of 1736 patients with chronic digestive system diseases were included in this cross-sectional study, including 871 outpatients and 865 in-patients. A self-designed General Information for Patients of the Department of Gastroenterology of General Hospitals questionnaire was used to collect each patient's general information, which included demographic data (including age, sex, marital status, and education) and disease characteristics (including major diseases, disease duration, principal symptoms, chronic pain, sleep disorder, and limited daily activities). RESULTS: The overall detection rate was 31.11% (540/1736) for depression symptoms alone, 27.02% (469/1736) for anxiety symptoms alone, 20.68% (359/1736) for both depression and anxiety symptoms, and 37.44% (650/1736) for either depression or anxiety symptoms. Subjects aged 70 years or above had the highest detection rate of depression (44.06%) and anxiety symptoms (33.33%). χ2 trend test showed: the higher the body mass index (BMI), the lower the detection rate of depression and anxiety symptoms (χ2trend = 13.697, P < 0.001; χ2trend = 9.082, P = 0.003); the more severe the limited daily activities, the higher the detection rate of depression and anxiety symptoms (χ2trend = 130.455, P < 0.001, χ2trend = 108.528, P < 0.001); and the poorer the sleep quality, the higher the detection rate of depression and anxiety symptoms (χ2trend = 85.759, P < 0.001; χ2trend = 51.969, P < 0.001). Patients with digestive system tumors had the highest detection rate of depression (57.55%) and anxiety (55.19%), followed by patients with liver cirrhosis (41.35% and 48.08%). Depression and anxiety symptoms were also high in subjects with comorbid hypertension and coronary heart disease. CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety occur in patients with tumors, liver cirrhosis, functional dyspepsia, and chronic viral hepatitis. Elderly, divorced/widowed, poor sleep quality, and lower BMI are associated with higher risk of depression and anxiety.

People with dyslexia and heart, chest, skin, digestive, musculoskeletal, vision, learning, speech and mental disorders were more dissatisfied with neighbourhoods: Scottish Household Survey, 2007-2008.

Rarely do we know the perception toward neighbourhoods in people specifically with health conditions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to understand the perception toward neighbourhoods among adults with a series of the existing health conditions in a country-wide and population-based setting. Data were retrieved from and analysed in Scottish Household Survey, 2007-2008. Information on demographics, self-reported health conditions and perception toward neighbourhoods and the surrounding facilities was obtained by household interview. Analysis including chi-square test, t test and logistic regression modelling were performed. Of 19,150 Scottish adults (aged 16-80) included in the study cohort, 1079 (7.7 %) people were dissatisfied with their living areas; particularly for those who experienced harassment (15.4 %), did not recycle or with dyslexia, chest, digestive, mental and musculoskeletal problems. Twenty to forty per cent reported common neighbourhood problems including noise, rubbish, disputes, graffiti, harassment and drug misuse. People with heart or digestive problems were more dissatisfied with the existing parks and open space. People with arthritis, chest or hearing problems were more dissatisfied with the waste management condition. People with dyslexia were more dissatisfied with the existing public transportation. People with heart problems were more dissatisfied with the current street cleaning condition. People with hearing, vision, speech, learning problems or dyslexia were also more dissatisfied with sports and recreational facilities. People with heart, chest, skin, digestive, musculoskeletal, vision, learning, speech and mental disorders and dyslexia were more dissatisfied with their current neighbourhood environments. Upgrading neighbourhood planning to tackle social environment injustice and put pleasant life experience as priorty would be suggested. Graphical abstract interrelations of individual health and neighbourhood health.

The self-evaluation of upper-gastrointestinal symptoms in Chinese patients with digestive disease: A multicenter questionnaire survey.

AIM: To investigate the self-evaluation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in Chinese patients. To observe the role of patients' characters, such as sex, age, education background, and clinic visits, which might affect the self-understanding of patients. METHODS: The nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 3000 patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms at 50 hospitals across 9 provinces in China. Questionnaire items covered four basic patients' characters and five major upper gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 2799 questionnaires (response rate: 93.3%) were analyzed. Only 35.29% patients could precisely understand the definition of dyspepsia. The misunderstanding of lower-gastroenterology discomforts is the major reason leading to low accuracy rate of dyspepsia. The accuracy rate of early satiety and postprandial fullness is 37.7% and 52.27% separately; they are most interrelated and easily confused concepts to each other. The accuracy rate of heartburn is 30.02%, while the location of burning sensation is the key aspect for misunderstanding of heartburn. The self-understanding of symptoms in patients was decreased with increasing age, and enhanced with higher education background and time of clinic visits. Gender is not the independent factor. CONCLUSION: Based on the low accuracy rate of self-understanding of patients, this survey suggests that the gastroenterologists should re-evaluate the symptoms of patients during the clinical inquiry.

Differential associations of specific depressive and anxiety disorders with somatic symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that depressive and anxiety disorders are strongly related to somatic symptoms, but much is unclear about the specificity of this association. This study examines the associations of specific depressive and anxiety disorders with somatic symptoms, and whether these associations are independent of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were derived from The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). A total of 2008 persons (mean age: 41.6 years, 64.9% women) were included, consisting of 1367 patients with a past-month DSM-diagnosis (established with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview [CIDI]) of depressive disorder (major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder) and/or anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia), and 641 controls. Somatic symptoms were assessed with the somatization scale of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ), and included cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and general symptoms. Analyses were adjusted for covariates such as chronic somatic diseases, sociodemographics, and lifestyle factors. RESULTS: All clusters of somatic symptoms were more prevalent in patients with depressive and/or anxiety disorders than in controls (all p<.001). Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that all types of depressive and anxiety disorders were independently related to somatic symptoms, except for dysthymic disorder. Major depressive disorder showed the strongest associations. Associations remained similar after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that depressive and anxiety disorders show strong and partly differential associations with somatic symptoms. Future research should investigate whether an adequate consideration and treatment of somatic symptoms in depressed and/or anxious patients improve treatment outcomes.

[The Study of Psychological Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Digestive Diseases].

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at the psychological characteristics of children with different chronic diseases of the digestive system and the identification of key factors influencing the formation of their personality. METHODS: The continuous prospective study of psychological peculiarities of 125 patients (7-17 y.o.) with diseases of the digestive system who have been monitored at Scientific Centre of Children's Health (Moscow) was performed. As research methods were used: analysis of medical and pedagogical documentation, participant observation, educational experiment, interview, questionnaires and projective methods. RESULTS: The study involved 125 patients aged 7-17 years (12.4 averagely) with diseases of the digestive system including teens--68 (54%), primary school pupil--57 (46%). The number of boys significantly prevailed over the number of girls (2:1). The study confirmed the existence of a close relationship and mutual influence of three factors: the physical condition, social situation of development, and individual psychological characteristics of children. According to the psychological characteristics the children can be combined in three groups: Group I (47 of 125 people; 37.6%) - children with bad psychological status. This is most typicalfor children with active form of chronic diseases requiring intensive medical assistance (37 of 47people; 78.7%). Group II (59 of 125 people; 47.2%)--children with instable psychological condition, with risk of neurotization. This group mainly comprises patients with chronic diseases at the stage of unstable clinical remission with preserved or compensated functions of organism bodies and systems or with incomplete compensation of functions requiring long term supportive treatment (45 of 59 people; 76.3%). Group III--patients with rather stable psychological condition (19 of 125 people; 15.2%). It comprises patients with rather stable psychological condition, anyway, with expressed psychological vulnerability in stress situation. Most children suffer from chronic diseases of different etiology at the stage of clinical remission with rare aggravations, with preserved or compensated functions, provided there are no aggravations of the basic disease (17of 19 people; 89.5%). CONCLUSION: Most children with diseases of the digestive system have the psychological difficulties, while their identity is often formed in the distorted social conditions. Therefore, these children need psychological and pedagogical support, as well the special psychological and pedagogical conditions for the realization of their mental and cognitive capacities. To put together a program of psychological and educational assistance we should take into account the child's age at the moment of occurrence of the disease, etiology, duration and severity of the illness, the nature and degree of non-compliance of social environmental.

Association of sociodemographic and clinical factors with the self-image and self-esteem of individuals with intestinal stoma / Assoiação dos fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos à autoimagem e autoestima dos indivíduos com estoma intestinal

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and sociodemographic factors and correlate them to the self-image and self-esteem. Methods: A study conducted at Ostomy Pole of PousoAlegre. The data were collected between December 2012 and May 2013. This was a non-probabilistic, by convenience, sample. For data collection, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale/UNIFESP-EPM and Body Investment Scale were used. For statistical analysis, chi-squared test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation were used. Levels of significance of 5% (p ≤ 0.05) were considered. Results: Participants had a mean score of 10.81 in the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale/UNIFESP. Regarding Body Investment Scale results, the mean total score was 38.79; the mean in the domain of body image was 7.74, and for personal touch, 21.31. When comparing data related to the stoma and sociodemographic profiles with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale/UNIFESP and Body Investment Scale, we realize that all patients demonstrated a decrease in self-esteem and self-image. Individuals were over 60 years old, male, retired, married and were not participants in support group/association. With regard to the characteristics of the stoma, those permanent colostomized had as causes of stoma implementation inflammatory disease and neoplasia; stomata measured between 20 and 40 mm; these people used two-piece devices. People who have not been notified that would be subjected to the stoma and in whom no demarcation was done showed worsening in self-esteem and self-image in relation to other features related to injury and sociodemographic data. Conclusion: Patients who participated in this study had low self-image and self-esteem in all characteristics of the stoma and in sociodemographic data, meaning that these individuals had negative feelings about their own bodies. .

Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos e correlacioná-los à autoimagem e autoestima. Métodos: Estudo realizado no Polo dos Estomizados de Pouso Alegre. Os dados foram coletados entre dezembro de 2012 e maio de 2013. A amostra foi por não probabilística, por conveniência. Para coleta de dados, foram utilizadas a Escala de Autoestima Rosenberg/UNIFESP-EPM e a escala BodyInvestmentScale. Para análise estatística, foram utilizados os testes do Qui-quadrado e de Kruskal-Wallise a correlação de Spearman. Foram considerados os níveis de significância 5% (p ≤ 0,05). Resultados: Os participantes apresentaram a média de 10,81 na Escala de Autoestima Rosenberg/UNIFESP-EPM. Com relaação à escala BodyInvestmentScale, a média do escore total foi 38,79; a médianos domínios imagem corporal foi de 7,74 e no toque pessoal, 21,31. Ao comparamos os dados relacionados ao estoma e sociodemográficos com a Escala de Autoestima Rosenberg/UNIFESP-EPM e com escala BodyInvestmentScale, percebemos que todos os pacientes apresentaram queda na autoestima e na autoimagem. Os indivíduos estavam na faixa etária acima de 60 anos, sexo masculino, eram aposentados e casados e não participavam de grupo de apoio/associação. Com relação às características do estoma, os indivíduos com colostomia permanente tinham como causas da realização do estoma doença inflamatória e neoplasia; os estomas mensuravam entre 20 a 40 mm; eles utilizavam dispositivo com duas peças. Pessoas que não foram comunicadas de que iriam ser submetidas ao estoma, e em que não foi realizada a demarcação apresentaram piora na autoestima e na autoimagem com relação às outras características relacionadas à lesão e às sociodemográficas. Conclusão: Pacientes que participaram deste estudo apresentaram baixa na autoimagem e autoestima em todas as características do estoma e nos dados sociodemográficos, significando que esses indivíduos tinham sentimentos negativos em relação ao próprio corpo.

Systematic review of the impact of surgical harm on quality of life after general and gastrointestinal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of surgical harm on quality of life (QoL) in general and gastrointestinal surgery. BACKGROUND: Surgical adverse events (SAEs) are associated with poor outcome. Although SAEs are likely to affect QoL, this has not been demonstrated in surgery. METHODS: Studies in general and gastrointestinal surgery measuring postoperative QoL in patients who suffered SAEs were identified. The overall impact of SAEs on QoL scores was determined by combining results from different studies. Component scores, adjustment for confounders, and time trends were evaluated. RESULTS: Data from 57,058 patients in 31 studies were analyzed. Most studies assessed the combined effect of different SAEs. High-quality studies adjusted for preoperative QoL. When different QoL instruments were scaled down to a common 0 to 1 score, the mean difference in QoL between SAE and no-SAE patients was 0.140 in esophagectomy, 0.110 in the Crohn resection, 0.089 in colorectal resection, 0.085 in gastric bypass, 0.072 in cholecystectomy, and 0.060 in inguinal hernia repair. Studies evaluating ileal pouch formation and antireflux surgery showed conflicting results. SAEs did not significantly affect QoL in emergency laparotomy and pancreatectomy. The frequency of SAEs was 5% to 48%. Physical QoL was affected more than emotional QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly negative effects of SAEs on QoL were demonstrated in a range of procedures. Postoperative QoL seems to be a surrogate for the severity of impact of SAEs on patients. QoL may be an important utility to evaluate the economic and societal impact of SAEs thereby defining the threshold for safe practice.

Translation and psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of functional digestive disorders quality of life questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Few useful patient-reported outcomes scales for functional dyspepsia exist in China. AIMS: The purpose of this work was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Functional Digestive Disorders Quality of Life Questionnaire (FDDQL) from the English version to Chinese (in Mandarin). METHODS: The following steps were performed: forward translations, synthesis of the translations, backward translations, pre-testing and field testing of FDDQL. Reliability, validity, responsiveness, confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory and differential item functioning of the scale were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 300 functional dyspepsia patients and 100 healthy people were included. The total Cronbach's alpha was 0.932, and split-half reliability coefficient was 0.823 with all test-retest coefficients greater than 0.9 except Coping With Disease domain. In construct validity analysis, every item correlated higher with its own domain than others. The comparative fit index of FDDQL was 0.902 and root mean square error of approximation was 0.076. Functional dyspepsia patients and healthy people had significant differences in all domains. After treatment, all domains had significant improvements except diet. Item response theory analysis showed the Person separation index of 0.920 and the threshold estimator of items was normally distributed with a mean of 0 and standard deviation of 1.27. The residuals of each item were between -2.5 and 2.5, without statistical significance. Differential item functioning analysis found that items had neither uniform nor non-uniform differential item functioning in different genders and age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of FDDQL has good psychometric properties and is suitable for measuring the health status of Chinese patients with functional dyspepsia.

Increased self-transcendence in patients with intractable diseases.

AIMS: Patients with intractable disease require long-term treatment and experience repeated bouts of progressive symptoms and resolutions, which cause them severe suffering. The aim of this study was to elucidate the concepts of self-transcendence and subjective well-being in patients with intractable disease. METHODS: Forty-four patients with intractable disease (men/women: 22/22) participated. The diseases of the participants were classified into five systems: (i) neural/muscle system; (ii) digestive system; (iii) immunity/blood system; (iv) visual system; and (v) bone/joint system. The controls were 1854 healthy individuals (men/women: 935/869). Participants completed the Self-Transcendence Scale (STS) and the Japanese version of the World Health Organization-Subjective Inventory. The Japanese version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview was also used for the intractable disease group. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance found a significant increase in STS score among the intractable disease group (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that the positive affect measured by the World Health Organization-Subjective Inventory showed the greatest effect on the STS score for the intractable disease group (ß = 0.539, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As a life-changing experience, an intractable disease may influence an increase in self-transcendence. The results also showed that there was a strong correlation between self-transcendence and respondents' subjective well-being. Our results suggest that patients with life-changing intractable disease can have a high level of self-transcendence, which may lead them to regain mental well-being, and increase their psychological health even in situations that cause physical and mental suffering.

[The impact of health personnel at the cohesion of military units].

It is shown that in military units sociometric status of troops largely determined by the frequency of diseases in the following classes of diseases: mental and behavioral disorders (grade 7), diseases of the eye (grade 7), diseases of the ear and mastoid process (grade 8) and diseases of the digestive system (grade 11). Therefore, prevention efforts on these types of diseases will help to create cohesive military units, but it rebuet presence in the military link of the medical service of specialists.

Factor structure of the pediatric symptom checklist with a pediatric gastroenterology sample.

Pediatric gastrointestinal disorders are commonly experienced by youth and have been shown to be associated with increased rates of psychosocial difficulties. Aim of the current study was to extend development of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), a brief parent-completed measure designed to assess children's behavioral and emotional functioning, by examining its factor structure in a pediatric gastroenterology sample. Parents of 176 children ages 4-16 years visiting a pediatric gastroenterologist completed the PSC. The factor structure of the PSC was examined using principal component analysis. Parallel analysis was utilized to determine the number of factors to retain and indicated that three factors existed within the data. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation identified factors measuring internalizing, externalizing, and attention difficulties. The three factors that emerged on the PSC provide initial support for the utility of the PSC in pediatric gastroenterology clinics.

[The prevalence of depression and anxiety in gastrointestinal out-patients of tertiary general hospitals in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and physician's recognition of depression and anxiety disorder in gastrointestinal out-patients of three tertiary general hospitals in Beijing. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in the gastrointestinal out-patient departments of three tertiary general hospitals in Beijing from May to June 2007. Total 517 subjects were recruited consecutively within a one month period. All the subjects were screened with Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). The subjects with HADS score of 8 and over were interviewed and diagnosed by psychiatrists using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The physicians made the diagnosis and management without knowing the results of MINI and HADS score. RESULTS: Among the 517 cases, 301 had a HADS score of 8 and above and 244 were interviewed by psychiatrists; the response rate was 81.1%. The prevalence according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth edition of depressive disorders and anxiety disorders in gastrointestinal outpatients were 15.3%, depressive disorders were 12.0%, anxiety disorders were 6.4%, depression combined anxiety disorder was 3.0%. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, depression combined anxiety were not different between genders (chi2=0.874, chi2=1.797, chi2=0.518, P>0.05) and among different age group (18-34, 35-54, >or=55 years old) (chi2=1.084, chi2=2.735, chi2=0.350, P>0.05). Gastritis and gastrointestinal dysfunction were the major diagnoses in patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders, the rates were 30.6% and 26.4% respectively. The rate of identification of depression and anxiety disorder by physicians was 2.8%. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal out-patients have a high prevalence of depression and anxiety disorder and the rate of identification by physicians was very low.