Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are experiencing severe mental distress. Thus, during the last year, drastic changes occurred in everyday life of every human being. Following social distancing and economic insecurity, significant increases in mental health concerns (loneliness, anxiety, depression, or insomnia) have developed. The objective of this study was to explore the anxiety, perceived stress, and resilience in a population presenting at the general practitioner, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected between February and April 2021 and 440 individuals who presented to the general practitioner were evaluated. Concerning anxiety level, almost half of the respondents (49,3%, N = 217) scored above the threshold value on the anxiety scale (mild intensity 38.6%, moderate intensity 9.9%, severe intensity 0.8%). Having a low level of resilience, as well as experiencing a high level of stress, are both predictive of the occurrence of high anxiety (p < 0.001, r = −0.551 and p < 0.001, r = 0.622, respectively). Furthermore, resilience is negatively related to perceived stress (p < 0.001, r = −0.676). It is critical in the current crisis to recognize those at risk of developing mental illnesses, taking into consideration the various socioeconomic classes, as well as to maintain and improve the general public’s mental health using appropriate psychological interventions.
COVID-19 vaccination has been recognized as one of the most effective ways to overcome the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, the success of this effort relies on national vaccination programmes. In May 2021, we surveyed 1552 people from Romania to determine acceptance rates and factors influencing acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine. Of these, 39.2% of participants reported that they were vaccinated and 25.6% desired vaccination; nonetheless, 29.5% expressed opposition to vaccination. Concerning vaccination refusal, the top justification given by respondents is that the vaccine is insufficiently safe and there is a risk of serious side effects (84.4%). A higher rate of vaccination refusal was observed among female gender, younger age, and lower educational level. Refusal was also associated with unemployment, being in a relationship, and having a decrease in income during the pandemic. People who are constantly informed by specialized medical staff have a statistically significant higher vaccination rate, while people who choose to get information from friends, family, and co-workers have the strongest intention of avoiding the vaccine. Current levels of vaccine are insufficient to achieve herd immunity of 67%. It is mandatory to understand the aspects that define and establish confidence and to craft nationwide interventions appropriately.
Introduction: Psycho-oncology provides a comprehensive understanding of cancer patients and offers an approach to the emotional, social and spiritual distress which accompanies them. Objectives: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression, the quality of life, cognitive impairment, sleep disorders and substance dependence in cancer patients from a general Romanian hospital. Materials & Methods: This is a prospective longitudinal study that assessed 130 patients from the radio-oncology department for three months. A number of 37 patients were reevaluated. We applied a number of eight scales for the evaluation of psychiatric comorbidities: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (QLESQ-SF), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS Pain), CAGE scale and Fagerstrom Test (for alcohol and tobacco dependence), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; for cognitive impairment). Results: As expected, depression and anxiety rated high in the study population. The quality of life is strongly correlated with the intensity of pain, depression and anxiety level. There was a high rate of alcohol and nicotine use among these oncological patients, although the majority of them stopped consume after confronting with the diagnosis. Patients with lung cancer have frequent sleep disorders. Conclusions: To sum up, patients from oncology departments should always have access to psychiatric services due to the high prevalence of this type of disorders. Both the disease and oncological treatment influence the quality of life and can lead to anxiety and depression.
Introduction: Quality of life is an important goal in the management of oncological patients. Quality of life can be influenced by numerous factors such as the level of functioning, age, as well as the presence of comorbid pathologies, both somatic and psychiatric. Objectives: The aim of this study is to measure the quality of life in a group of oncological patients, as well as the influence of various factors, particularly psychiatric comorbidities, on this variable. Materials and Methods: Data was obtained from a prospective, non-randomized, longitudinal study that was conducted over a 4-year span (2015-2018) and included 294 oncology patients. Patients were assessed by means of the following instruments: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - HADS, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - QLESQ-SF, Visual Analog Scale for Pain - VAS Pain, CAGE Questionnaire for alcohol addiction, Global Assessment of Functioning Scale -GAF and Montreal Cognitive Assessment - MoCA for cognitive disorders. Results: Approximately 30% of patients included in the study obtained scores above the threshold for depression or anxiety on the HADS subscales, indicating an important association between cancer and the presence of depressive or anxious symptoms. Statistical analysis confirmed that the presence of depressive or anxious symptoms is a statistically significant predictor of quality of life. Quality of life is also influenced by the presence of cognitive impairment, alcohol use, and pain intensity as measured by the VAS Pain. Conclusions: Given that quality of life is influenced by the presence of psychiatric comorbidities (depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, alcohol use), screening for these pathologies in all cancer patients and a multidisciplinary oncologist-psychiatrist-psychologist therapeutic approach are necessary
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