The type of surgical technique does not affect the overall quality of life and sexual satisfaction. Problems with memory and attention do not correlate directly with the side effects, and as such require an independent diagnostics. Women undergoing treatment of the dominant-side breast should be the candidates for sexology consultation. There is a risk of disturbances in the body image and in the assessment of future perspectives in patients with emotional disorders observed within 3 months after surgery.
Introduction: The immune system is undoubtedly involved in the pathogenesis of various psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. Although its role is not fully understood, it appears that this area of research can help to understand the etiology of mental illness. One of the components of the human immune system is the complement system, which forms a part of the innate immune response. Physiologically, except for its essential protective role, it is a vital element in the regeneration processes, including neurogenesis. To date, few studies have tried to clarify the role of the complement cascade in mental disorders.Materials and Methods: We evaluated concentrations of C3a, C5a, and C5b-9 complement cascade components in the peripheral blood of 30 patients suffering from bipolar disorder (BD) for at least 10 years, in euthymia, who were not treated with lithium salts. In addition, we divided our study sample into BD type I (BD-I, 22 persons), and BD type II (BD-II, 8 patients). The control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex, BMI, and smoking habits.Results: Compared to healthy controls, BD patients had elevated concentrations of all the investigated components. Furthermore, in patients with BD-II, we observed higher concentrations of C5b-9 as compared to patients with BD-I. However, there was a significant effect of BD diagnosis only on the levels of C3a and C5a but not on the level of C5b-9 after adjustment for potential confounding factors.Conclusions: Increased concentrations of components C3a and C5a of the complement system in the investigated group as compared to healthy controls suggest involvement of the complement cascade in the pathogenesis of BD, and provides further evidence of immune system dysregulation in BD patients.
Cancer caregiving is associated with burden and a poor psychological state. However, there is no previous information about the predictive utility of specific burden domains on anxiety and depression in the first six months after a partner’s cancer diagnosis. In a longitudinal study, 67 caregivers completed the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at T1 (45–60 days after diagnosis) and T2 (180–200 days after diagnosis). Most of the caregivers were female (65.7%, mean age = 51.63, SD = 13.25), while patients were mostly male (56.7%). The TRIPOD checklist was applied. ZBI scores were moderate and HADS anxiety reached significant values. There were no differences in ZBI and HADS between T1 and T2. The relationship between burden, anxiety, and depression were more consistent at T2, while emotional burden at T1 were related and predicted anxiety and depression at T2. Some burden domains were related and predicted anxiety in caregivers in the first six months after partner cancer diagnosis. This information could be useful to prevent the onset of these symptoms in the first six months after diagnosis.
Aims and Objectives
To establish the predictive utility of specific social support domains for emotional well‐being in cancer caregivers, six months after their partner's cancer diagnosis.
Background
In cancer caregivers, social support has been consistently related to anxiety and depression. There is little information, however, about the predictive utility of specific social support domains for psychological well‐being in the first six months after a partner's cancer diagnosis.
Design
Longitudinal research study.
Methods
Sixty‐seven caregivers of recently diagnosed cancer patients were recruited from the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba (Spain). Participants completed a set of questionnaires including the Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a socio‐demographic questionnaire. Data were collected at two time points: T1 (30–45 days after diagnosis) and T2 (180–200 days after). TRIPOD checklist was used.
Results
Most of the caregivers were female (65%) and the partner of the patient (58%), with an average age of 51.63 years (SD = 13.25). Statistical differences were observed between the two assessment points for the social support domains of perceived emotional support, satisfaction with support and protective buffering. Logistic regression analysis showed that less physical and sports activity, more support seeking and less informational support received at T1 predicted anxiety at T2, while less perceived available support predicted depression.
Conclusions
Accurate information and support from other members of the community and the promotion of physical and sports routines for cancer caregivers may help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in the first months after a partner's cancer diagnosis.
Relevance to clinical practice
Clinicians must pay attention to the social support needs and physical activity of caregivers in the first days after diagnosis, in order to prevent anxiety and depression.
Objective
Analysis of the relationship between the body self (BS) and the sense of coherence (SOC) in women after breast surgery due to cancer in comparison with a control group.
Methods
A cross‐sectional study in a group of 78 women using the body–self questionnaire (BS‐Q), and the life orientation questionnaire (SOC‐29). Statistics based on the IBM SPSS v.25.
Results
Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) has shown significant differences based on groups in experiencing intimacy, manifesting femininity, body acceptance, and manageability. In particular, manifesting femininity and body acceptance showed a big effect size (0.30 < partial ɳ2 < 0.32). Correlation analysis between the BS‐Q and SOC‐29 subscales and Fisher's r to z transformation determines that the differences between groups were significant in favour of healthy women in two sets of variables: experiencing intimacy/meaningfulness and attitude to food and weight/manageability.
Conclusions
Breast cancer survivors are at greater risk of developing decreased body acceptance and problems in intimacy, and have less correlation than the healthy control group between manageability and meaningfulness with an appropriate attitude to food and intimate relationship with their partner, respectively. A higher manifestation of femininity in the treated group can be considered a positive but socioculturally conditioned coping strategy.
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