The goal of this study was to analyze the relationships between anxiety, depression symptoms, and functionality as predictors of quality of life, in patients with diabetic foot ulcer taking in consideration clinical variables. A sample of 202 participants indicated for a lower limb amputation surgery, were assessed before the surgery, on physical and mental quality of life, functionality, a anxiety and depression symptoms. Anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as functionality level were predictors of mental quality of life. Pain, having a first amputation, depression symptoms, and functionality were predictors of physical quality of life. In order to promote quality of life, psychological variables should be targeted, in clinical practice.

In Portugal, diabetes affects 11.7% of the population, of whom about 90% have type 2 diabetes. Patients and their partners are affected and the latter have a direct impact on patients' adaptation to diabetes. A large proportion of patients, at diagnosis, have to readjust their daily routines in order to integrate self-care behaviours related to diabetes. The goal of this study was to analyse the relationship among partner support, social-cognitive variables about self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) (intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behaviour control, action planning and coping planning), adherence and glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients, diagnosed in the past 12 months. A total of 179 people with diabetes participated in the study. The instruments used were: Multidimensional Diabetes Questionnaire; Revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Scale; and Planned Behavior Questionnaire-Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose. Glycaemic control was assessed by HbA 1c. The perception of positive support from partners and intention to perform SMBG predicted adherence to SMBG. Furthermore, positive support mediated the relationship between intention and adherence to SMBG. Positive and negative partner support were positively associated with intention, action and coping planning and adherence to SMBG. Good metabolic control was negatively associated with negative support. The results show the importance of partners' support and social-cognitive variables, regarding self-monitoring of blood glucose, on patients' adherence.

The social demographic variables play an important role in diabetic foot ulceration. Given that the neuropathic ulcers are more easily preventable, systematic monitoring of patients with neuropathy is important. In patients with neuroischemic foot, strategies to cope or manage more efficiently the pain are paramount. Intervention should be multidisciplinary and take into account sociodemographic and clinical factors, as well as the presence, intensity and interference of pain in the patient's daily life activities and whether the patient has family or caregiver support.

Tailored multidisciplinary interventions need to be developed providing support before and after an amputation surgery, in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms and promote psychological adjustment to limb loss.

This study analyzed whether family variables such as marital adjustment, partner support, family coping, and family stress moderated the relationship between negative beliefs about medicines and adherence to self-care behaviors (diet, glucose monitoring, exercise, foot care, and medication), in Type 2 diabetes patients. The sample was composed of 387 individuals with Type 2 diabetes, diagnosed in the past 12 months. Patients were assessed on self-care behaviors in diabetes, medication adherence, beliefs about medicines, family coping, family stress, marital adjustment, and partner support. The results showed marital adjustment, family coping, partner support, and family stress as moderators in the relationship between negative beliefs and adherence. Patients with negative beliefs regarding medicines, but who reported good marital adjustment and family coping were more likely to test their blood glucose; and if they reported low support from their partners were less likely to adhere to their prescribed diet. Finally, patients with negative beliefs about medicines, but who reported high family stress, were less likely to take their medication. The results emphasize the importance of family variables on adherence to self-care behaviors and medication. This study revealed the importance of including partners on interventions regarding Type 2 diabetes because they seem to play an important role in patient's adherence.

Literature shows that spirituality is a helpful resource for patients to cope with illness, having a positive impact on their quality of life. This study aimed to analyze the psychometric qualities of the Spiritual and Religious Attitudes in Dealing with Illness (SpREUK) using a sample of 128 Portuguese Alzheimer's patients. Results showed that the instrument kept its original factorial structure, with a good adjustment and reliability in all subscales, and associations with quality of life and mindfulness. Therefore, the Portuguese version of the SpREUK has appropriate psychometric properties and is an important resource to assess spirituality in Alzheimer's patients.

Informal caregivers of chronically ill patients often report burden and poor quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of caring on caregivers of amputated patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic foot. A cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 110 caregivers who answered: the Burden Assessment Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, the Social Support Satisfaction Scale, the Family Assessment Device, and the Short Form Health Survey. Multiple linear hierarchical regressions were performed to identify the variables that contributed to the burden and the physical and mental quality of life. Differences in burden as well as physical and mental quality of life were found, according to several caregivers' sociodemographic characteristics. Lower social support, more distress, and caregiver's perception of the impact of caring on the family dynamics contributed to burden. Lower distress and not having a chronic illness besides diabetes explained the physical quality of life whereas exercise and lower distress explained mental quality of life. To promote quality of life in caregivers and reduce the burden associated with caregiving, interventions should focus on social support, distress, and the practice of exercise.

Thirty-four years after the end of Colonial War, few data are available on the impact of such experience on Portuguese veterans. The purpose of the present study was to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological morbidity, psychopathology, family functioning, and quality of life in veterans with and without PTSD diagnosis, to find the best predictors of quality of life and to analyse psychopathology as a mediator in the relationship between traumatic symptoms and quality of life. A total of 101 male veterans participated in the study. Veterans were recruited from a central hospital and a veterans organization. The instruments used were the Portuguese versions of Posttraumatic Stress Scale (McIntyre & Ventura), FACES III (Olson, Portner, & Lavee), BSI (Derogatis), BDI (Beck, Ward, Mendelson, Mock, & Erbaugh), STAI (Spielberger, Gorush, Lushene, Vagg, & Jacobs), and Quality of Life (WHOQOL Group). Results showed quality of life to be significantly related to less depression and anxiety. Veterans with PTSD diagnosis had more psychopathology and less quality of life in all domains. Veterans who belonged to extreme families showed more psychopathology and presented more PTSD symptoms, particularly avoidance and intrusion. When all psychological variables entered in the regression model, depression predicted physical quality of life; trait anxiety predicted psychological quality of life; PTSD predicted social quality of life; and, depression predicted environmental quality of life. Finally, psychopathology was a mediator of the relationship between traumatic symptoms and all domains of quality of life except environmental quality of life. Results emphasize the need for psychological interventions in veterans and their families.