PURPOSE: To test the relative importance of anxiety, depression and somatization as correlates of physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in several chronic physical disorders. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of patients with colorectal cancer (N = 162), glaucoma (N = 100), rheumatoid arthritis (N = 168), systemic sclerosis (N = 56) and systemic lupus erythematosus (N = 56), we assessed specific disease severity and used the Symptom Distress Checklist (SCL-90) for psychologic dimensions. Outcome was assessed with the WHO Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form using hierarchical regression to determine independent correlates of HRQOL. RESULTS: After adjustment for demographic features, stage of cancer and pain (final models), the SCL-90 somatization score was the only psychologic distress covariate significantly correlated to physical HRQOL in all diseases (Betas between -0.33 and -0.49) except in systemic sclerosis and scleroderma, where depression was also a correlate. In glaucoma patients, the SCL-90 somatization score was the only significant covariate for physical HRQOL in the final model. CONCLUSIONS: Since reported number of bodily symptoms is both associated with physical HRQOL and treatable in its own right, our findings suggest a possible new avenue to improve the HRQOL in patients with chronic physical disease. Whether this offers greater benefit than treatments for anxiety and depression needs further research.
PURPOSE: To test the relative importance of anxiety, depression and somatization as correlates of physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in several chronic physical disorders. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of patients with colorectal cancer (N = 162), glaucoma (N = 100), rheumatoid arthritis (N = 168), systemic sclerosis (N = 56) and systemic lupus erythematosus (N = 56), we assessed specific disease severity and used the Symptom Distress Checklist (SCL-90) for psychologic dimensions. Outcome was assessed with the WHO Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form using hierarchical regression to determine independent correlates of HRQOL. RESULTS: After adjustment for demographic features, stage of cancer and pain (final models), the SCL-90 somatization score was the only psychologic distress covariate significantly correlated to physical HRQOL in all diseases (Betas between -0.33 and -0.49) except in systemic sclerosis and scleroderma, where depression was also a correlate. In glaucomapatients, the SCL-90 somatization score was the only significant covariate for physical HRQOL in the final model. CONCLUSIONS: Since reported number of bodily symptoms is both associated with physical HRQOL and treatable in its own right, our findings suggest a possible new avenue to improve the HRQOL in patients with chronic physical disease. Whether this offers greater benefit than treatments for anxiety and depression needs further research.
Authors: J C Parker; S P Buckelew; K L Smarr; K L Buescher; N C Beck; R G Frank; S K Anderson; S E Walker Journal: J Rheumatol Date: 1990-08 Impact factor: 4.666
Authors: Mary Jon Barrineau; Steven H Zarit; Heather A King; Erin S Costanzo; David M Almeida Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2014-02-26 Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Saulo C Albuquerque; Eduardo R Carvalho; Rebeka S Lopes; Higor S Marques; Danielle S Macêdo; Eanes D Pereira; Thomas N Hyphantis; Andre F Carvalho Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2011-03-15 Impact factor: 4.147