Susana Pedras1, Rui Carvalho2, M Graça Pereira3. 1. School of Psychology, Applied Psychology Department, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: susanapedras@gmail.com. 2. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: rui.morais.carvalho@gmail.com. 3. School of Psychology, Applied Psychology Department, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: gracep@psi.uminho.pt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) show high levels of depression and anxiety symptoms. The loss of a limb is undoubtedly a devastating experience and several studies have shown that anxiety and depression symptoms are a common reaction after a lower limb amputation (LLA). However, no study has focused on the immediate emotional reactions to LLA as a personal factor based on the ICF Model. OBJECTIVE: This study focused on the characterization of anxiety and depression levels, before and after surgery, differences in levels of depression and anxiety before and after surgery and the predictors of anxiety and depression one month after surgery, in a sample of patients with DFU. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study with 179 patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and DFU indicated for amputation, screened for the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms during the hospitalization that preceded amputation and one month after surgery, during a follow-up consultation. RESULTS: The results showed a significant effect of anxiety and depression symptoms at pre-surgery in the prediction of anxiety and depression symptoms one month after LLA. Patients showed higher levels of anxiety than depression symptoms at pre-surgery, although anxiety significantly decreased on month after surgery. Both anxiety and depression symptoms contributed to depression after LLA, although anxiety at pre-surgery was the only predictor of anxiety at post-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
BACKGROUND:Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) show high levels of depression and anxiety symptoms. The loss of a limb is undoubtedly a devastating experience and several studies have shown that anxiety and depression symptoms are a common reaction after a lower limb amputation (LLA). However, no study has focused on the immediate emotional reactions to LLA as a personal factor based on the ICF Model. OBJECTIVE: This study focused on the characterization of anxiety and depression levels, before and after surgery, differences in levels of depression and anxiety before and after surgery and the predictors of anxiety and depression one month after surgery, in a sample of patients with DFU. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study with 179 patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and DFU indicated for amputation, screened for the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms during the hospitalization that preceded amputation and one month after surgery, during a follow-up consultation. RESULTS: The results showed a significant effect of anxiety and depression symptoms at pre-surgery in the prediction of anxiety and depression symptoms one month after LLA. Patients showed higher levels of anxiety than depression symptoms at pre-surgery, although anxiety significantly decreased on month after surgery. Both anxiety and depression symptoms contributed to depression after LLA, although anxiety at pre-surgery was the only predictor of anxiety at post-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
Authors: Artur Lemiński; Krystian Kaczmarek; Aleksandra Bańcarz; Alicja Zakrzewska; Bartosz Małkiewicz; Marcin Słojewski Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-11 Impact factor: 3.390