Relationship between psychological profile and cardiological variables in chronic heart failure. The role of patient subjectivity

Abstract

On the basis of chronic heart failure diagnosis only, a generic pattern of psychological distress can be predicted, common to many severe chronic diseases. Shifting from objective mental health measures towards the domain of subjective satisfaction, the only link which emerges is between objective cardiological data and satisfaction with physical functioning. Satisfaction in terms of other life aspects does not seem to be related to cardiological variables. These results support the importance of subjectivity in health related quality of life, as well as objective measures.

Why do patients with heart failure suffer from erectile dysfunction? A critical review and suggestions on how to approach this problem

“…This may be primarily due to the belief of a poor prognosis and the significant impact of cardiac symptoms in every-day life. 22 Depression in this population is multifactoral, 23,24 and fluctuates with the natural evolution of heart failure symptoms. Therefore, cardiovascular disease, ED and depression have been proposed to form a mutually reinforcing triad.…”

“…112 Trazodone, clomipramine and other tricyclic antidepressants, however, can cause delayed or retarded ejaculation (a side effect that actually may be beneficial for some men who are suffering from premature ejaculation). 24,113 It is unclear, however, whether wellcontrolled, treated depression does improve sexual function in patients with ED while the drug's side effects might worsen sexual function, resulting in a zero net balance. An ethically reasonable approach to this dilemma is to adequately treat depression and to counteract SSRIs side effects by use of PDE-5 inhibitors.…”

Psychological Correlates in Subjects with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

“…Cognitive behavioural Assessment 2.0 includes an anamnestic schedule (Schedule 4) that consists of 59 items aimed to evaluate healthy conditions with specific emphasis on psychological problems that directly result from HAE [15]. These items bring to light the frequent presence of sleep disturbance, financial difficulties, dysfunctional eating behaviours, decrease in sexual activity and sexual dysfunction.…”

Subjective Satisfaction and Quality of Life in Patients Prior to Listing for Liver Transplantation

“…While happiness is an emotional affective state of shortterm duration, satisfaction can be defined as the result of a cognitive process that compares a patient's reality with an ideal state, independent of the absolute value of either variable (8,(12)(13)(14). This allows for the direct comparison of SAT-P profiles between persons and groups.…”