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Clinical Cancer Research : An Official... Jun 2024Cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS) surveillance allows for the early detection and treatment of neoplasms; however, the psychosocial impact of tumor surveillance is...
PURPOSE
Cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS) surveillance allows for the early detection and treatment of neoplasms; however, the psychosocial impact of tumor surveillance is poorly understood for cancer-affected adolescents with a CPS and their parents. To gain insight, we qualitatively characterized the affective and cognitive experience of undergoing CPS tumor surveillance.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Adolescents with a cancer history and their parents independently completed semi-structured interviews querying their experience with the adolescent's tumor surveillance. Interviews were coded using emotion coding and content analysis before developing themes using thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Eight adolescents and 11 parents (7 mothers, 4 fathers) completed interviews. Parent themes included: maternal anxiety, relief following surveillance, fathers' positive expectations and emotions surrounding surveillance results, coping strategies, and perception of going through surveillance together with their child. Adolescent themes included: normalization of surveillance, indifference about surveillance but excitement to return to the hospital, focus on physical and logistic aspects, relief focused on being done with scans, and belief that outcomes would be good. Past scans/surveillance experiences influencing surveillance feelings was a theme across both parents and adolescents.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that tumor surveillance is not causing marked emotional distress for cancer-affected adolescents with a CPS. In contrast, mothers of cancer-affected adolescents undergoing surveillance may present with anxiety leading up to tumor surveillance and, for a subset, in between surveillance appointments. These observations highlight a need for ongoing psychosocial screening for families of children with a CPS and a role for psychosocial providers in multidisciplinary management of CPSs.
PubMed: 38922635
DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-0693 -
The Psychiatric Quarterly Jun 2024Procrastination is the deliberate, unjustified postponing of an intended course of action despite its costs or unfavorable effects. The present study used a self-report...
Procrastination is the deliberate, unjustified postponing of an intended course of action despite its costs or unfavorable effects. The present study used a self-report online survey and collected data from a large convenience sample of the general adult population (N = 2,076; females = 55.73%; M = 35.1 years [SD ± 12.7]) with diverse demographics. Following the ring-curve distribution, the results indicated a 15.4% prevalence rate of procrastination among the Iranian community, which was significantly higher among women and divorced individuals and lower among nomadic individuals and those with higher academic degrees. A latent profile analysis demonstrated two distinct profiles, one for procrastinators (high scores on chronic procrastination, psychological distress, neuroticism, and extraversion; and low scores on general self-efficacy, self-esteem, satisfaction with life, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) and one for non-procrastinators (demonstrating a reverse pattern compared to procrastinators). Moreover, additional network analysis suggested that the examined networks were invariant across procrastination status and gender. The results indicate that procrastination differs by demographic characteristics and is associated with a unique psychological profile. However, none of the aforementioned key study variables were considered a potential vulnerability for procrastinators due to the finding that all variables were peripheral and none were central in the examined networks. Therefore, relying on the differences in mean scores on psychometric scales does not appear to be an optimal way of determining the most important variables in a therapeutic context when treating procrastination.
PubMed: 38922507
DOI: 10.1007/s11126-024-10076-9 -
Pediatric Reports May 2024Leukocytosis in neonates can occur because of infectious, inflammatory, malignant, or physiological processes. Hyperleukocytosis is defined as a total leukocyte count...
Leukocytosis in neonates can occur because of infectious, inflammatory, malignant, or physiological processes. Hyperleukocytosis is defined as a total leukocyte count (TLC) exceeding 100,000 per mm, warranting immediate evaluation. Neonates with hyperleukocytosis are at risk of leukostasis and the associated severe complications, including respiratory distress, myocardial ischemia, hyperuricemia, acute renal failure, infarction, and hemorrhage. Differentiating leukemia and leukemoid reactions in neonates presenting with elevated TLC is challenging but critical. We present a unique case of a preterm male neonate with hyperleukocytosis, initially suspected to have an underlying malignancy. The neonate's clinical course was complicated by respiratory distress syndrome and anemia of prematurity, necessitating neonatal intensive care unit management. Further investigation revealed high human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) DNA levels in the whole blood, leading to a chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (ciHHV-6) diagnosis. CiHHV-6 is characterized by HHV-6 DNA integration into the host genome. Accurate diagnosis relies on whole-blood quantitative PCR, distinguishing ciHHV-6 from an active infection. The neonate remained asymptomatic, and antiviral treatment was deemed unnecessary. This case underscores the importance of recognizing ciHHV-6 as a potential cause of hyperleukocytosis in neonates and highlights the value of whole-blood PCR for differentiation. Understanding the spectrum of HHV-6 infection in neonates is vital for appropriate management and prognostication.
PubMed: 38921702
DOI: 10.3390/pediatric16020037 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The sexual health of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people with endometriosis has been overlooked, and important emotional experiences, such as sexual distress and...
The Need to Look at Transgender and Gender Diverse People's Health: A Preliminary Descriptive Report on Pain, Sexual Distress, and Health Profile of Five Transmasculine People and One Non-Binary Person with Endometriosis.
The sexual health of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people with endometriosis has been overlooked, and important emotional experiences, such as sexual distress and its correlates, have been ignored. This has prevented a more comprehensive look at the health experiences of TGD individuals. This descriptive online survey study preliminarily explored the experiences of pain symptoms, sexual distress, and mental health of N = 6 TGD individuals diagnosed with endometriosis. Descriptive results showed a mean delay of 10 years from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis. Endometriosis-related pain was a common symptom, although with low to moderate intensity. Results also showed higher mean levels of pain impact, powerlessness and lack of control, somatization, depression, anxiety, and sexual distress, and lower mean levels of emotional well-being, social support, and worse self-image compared to reports on cisgender women with endometriosis in the literature. These results suggested that sexual and mental health in the context of TGD people with endometriosis has specificities and may be associated with factors that need to be accounted for to provide comprehensive and socially just healthcare, such as the recognition of the impact of endometriosis treatment on symptoms of gender dysphoria. To achieve sexual health equity for TGD people, continuous and updated professional training and inclusive research with multiple informants are necessary.
PubMed: 38921344
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121229 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The COVID-19 pandemic posed a major challenge for construction companies, which were confronted with the need to prevent the enormous negative socio-psychological impact...
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a major challenge for construction companies, which were confronted with the need to prevent the enormous negative socio-psychological impact of the pandemic on their employees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of psychological distress among construction workers in an advanced phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Andalusia, southern Spain. For this, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using online questionnaires with data on sociodemographic variables and employment situation, COVID-19 pandemic-related data, and Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A total of 860 questionnaires from all provinces of Andalusia, Spain, were collected between March and May 2022. Descriptive statistical analyses and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Chi-squared tests were performed, followed by logistic regression analysis. The incidence of psychological distress was higher among women, individuals under 43 years of age, those with a family income below EUR 1200, participants whose working conditions had been affected by the pandemic, those who had not received adequate means or specific training to protect themselves from infection, those who had experienced symptoms, those who had suffered side effects after vaccination, and those who had been hospitalised. The logistic regression analysis predicted the occurrence of psychological distress in this study by the effect of the pandemic on mental/emotional well-being, the working conditions affected during the pandemic, health-related variables, and the age of the worker. The correctly classified percentage was 75.1%. Assessing psychological distress in construction sectors may allow for the identification of vulnerable groups or even help to reduce the number of errors in daily practice and potential risks of occupational injury or illness.
PubMed: 38921338
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121224 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The emergence of COVID-19 profoundly influenced the dynamics within intensive care units, significantly altering the patient-family experience. As the pandemic unfolded,...
BACKGROUND
The emergence of COVID-19 profoundly influenced the dynamics within intensive care units, significantly altering the patient-family experience. As the pandemic unfolded, the longstanding practice of using physical restraints for patient safety persisted, introducing new challenges in healthcare settings. This study explored the ramifications of these enduring safety measures on family members of ICU patients during the pandemic, illuminating their lived experiences and the psychological impact of seeing their loved ones restrained.
OBJECTIVES
To explore family members' lived experiences with physical restraints in the ICU during COVID-19 and inform improvements in patient-centered care.
METHODS
Utilizing hermeneutic phenomenology, the study engaged ten family members in detailed interviews to gain an understanding of their experiences with ICU physical restraints during COVID-19. Conducted at a northeastern U.S. hospital, the collected narratives underwent thematic analysis within a sensemaking framework, yielding a profound understanding of family perspectives.
RESULTS
Family members faced challenges in understanding and coping with physical restraints, revealing a need for improved healthcare system support for family sensemaking and well-being.
CONCLUSIONS
The study advocates integrating empathetic communication and family engagement into ICU care practices, underlining the importance of sensemaking during healthcare crises.
PubMed: 38921296
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121182 -
Clinics and Practice Jun 2024Emergency medicine in Romania has developed fast since inception. The need for faster diagnostic capabilities due to the high workload pre- and in-hospital made...
BACKGROUND
Emergency medicine in Romania has developed fast since inception. The need for faster diagnostic capabilities due to the high workload pre- and in-hospital made point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) a logical next step. The advantages of POCUS are well known, but implementation presents challenges. Our goal was to study how a straightforward method of implementation would work locally.
METHODS
Two prospective observational studies were conducted at 6 months (prehospital) and 4 months (in-hospital). The protocol used was extended focused assessment sonography in trauma (eFAST), and the shock index (SI) was used to stratify patients. Voluntary sampling was conducted by emergency physicians. The primary outcomes were patient numbers, type of case use, results, and accuracy.
RESULTS
The prehospital study registered 34 patients: 41% traumas, 35% cardiac arrest, 18% shock, and 6% acute respiratory distress. The in-hospital study patients were 78: 36% traumas, 6% cardiac arrests, 41% shock, and 17% acute respiratory distress. A total of 88.5% of the cases were confirmed with definitive imagistic findings.
CONCLUSION
The studies mark an increase in POCUS usage and use in complicated cases. Providing supervision and feedback into clinical practice resulted in a further increase in POCUS usage, the second study having an 88.5% accuracy when compared to the final diagnostic proving the increased efficiency of a longitudinal training approach.
PubMed: 38921268
DOI: 10.3390/clinpract14030090 -
Clinics and Practice May 2024Psychological distress is a predictor of future health and disease data, with consequent implications for both the patient and the healthcare system. Taking advantage of...
Influence of Healthcare Delivery Type on Patients' Mental Health: Is Hospitalization Always a Stressful Factor? Can Allostatic Load Help Assess a Patient's Psychological Disorders?
BACKGROUND
Psychological distress is a predictor of future health and disease data, with consequent implications for both the patient and the healthcare system. Taking advantage of the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic we aimed to assess whether the type of medical care received by patients during the initial months of the pandemic influenced their evolution, particularly at the psychological level. Additionally, we investigated whether allostatic load was associated not only with physical but also psychological alterations.
METHODS
All the patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection at HM Madrid Hospital during the month of March 2020 were studied, both those hospitalized (110) and those treated on an outpatient basis (46). They were psychologically evaluated using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) test. We calculated the allostatic load using different laboratory parameters.
RESULTS
Outpatient patients had significantly higher scores than hospitalized ones in Tension-Anxiety (52 ± 19.3 vs. 38 ± 4.3; < 0.001). So, 36.9% of the outpatient patients exhibited anxiety. Allostatic load has not been correlated with patients' psychological alterations.
CONCLUSIONS
Psychological distress of outpatient patients should be taken into account in their management to improve mental health planning. This knowledge could provide comprehensive care to patients including their mental health, in the face of subsequent epidemics/pandemics.
PubMed: 38921257
DOI: 10.3390/clinpract14030079 -
European Journal of Investigation in... Jun 2024Previous research has already examined the relationship between Future Anxiety, a construct recently introduced in Italy, and mental health in young adults, although...
Previous research has already examined the relationship between Future Anxiety, a construct recently introduced in Italy, and mental health in young adults, although possible mediating variables in this relationship have so far never been investigated. The present study attempts to fill this gap by exploring the incidence of Future Anxiety on psychological distress (i.e., Stress, Anxiety and Depression) in a group of 302 young Italian adults (18-30 years; = 21.9; = 2.6; 49.0% males; 51.0% females), presenting and evaluating the simultaneous mediating effect of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Non-Pathological Worry. Findings highlighted how Future Anxiety had a positive and significant direct effect on Stress and Depression, but not on Anxiety. In the three serial mediation models proposed, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Non-Pathological Worry mediated the relationship between Future Anxiety and mental health outcomes. The results also confirmed the hypothesized serial mediation effect by highlighting how young adults with greater Future Anxiety experienced more Intolerance of Uncertainty, which positively affected Non-Pathological Worry levels and, in turn, exacerbated psychological distress. Finally, results indicated that female participants experienced more Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in relation to Future Anxiety compared to males. Starting from the review of main references on this subject, the results discussed provide new insights for understanding youth psychological distress. Finally, practical implications for the design of supportive interventions for this study's target group are proposed.
PubMed: 38921087
DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe14060121 -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In South Korea, the proportion of adults experiencing severe loneliness has been increasing rapidly. Accordingly, this study examines the elements of loneliness...
In South Korea, the proportion of adults experiencing severe loneliness has been increasing rapidly. Accordingly, this study examines the elements of loneliness experienced by Korean adults and investigates their structural relevance using concept mapping. Korean adults (47) were recruited for individual in-depth interviews based on their scores on the UCLA Loneliness Scale. The interviews yielded 80 unique statements, which were then evaluated using multidimensional scaling and a hierarchical cluster analysis. A cluster map of loneliness was derived, with three clusters: (1) emotional distress due to the actual or anticipated absence of connection in relationships, (2) emotional distance from oneself or from others in a relationship, and (3) powerlessness and emptiness due to being directionless. Two dimensions distinguished these clusters: the lack of a sense of connection or self-assurance, and an inward or outward focus. These findings reveal that loneliness encompasses more than unmet relational needs; it also involves self-attentional focus, indicating a need to reconceptualize the notion of loneliness. The study's implications extend to counseling theory and practices by highlighting the importance of addressing both relational connections and self-perceptions in interventions for loneliness. By expanding the understanding of loneliness through empirical data, this research provides a more comprehensive framework for addressing loneliness.
PubMed: 38920824
DOI: 10.3390/bs14060492