G. Angelini, B. Cascio, M.G. Bernengo, M.G. Barisone, A. Papa - Volume 5, Settembre 1999, n.3
Testo Bibliografia Summary Riassunto Indice
Psicopatologia e oncologia dermatologica
Psychopathology and dermatological oncology
Background: in clinical practice it is essential to consider the secondary psychological effects of every specific disease during its various stages, as well as their relationship with tumour diagnosis, staging, progression, recurrence, and issues such as convalescence and recovery. All these parameters may be accompanied by various psychological disturbances or frank psychopathology, at times related to the degree of pain experienced or possible relapses.
Subjects and methods: this study was carried-out on 48 semi-terminal skin cancer patients. All patients underwent a series of semi-structured interviews and psychodiagnostic tests; patients filled-out the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), both X-1 (state) and X-2 (trait) versions, to assess their anxiety, and clinicians compiled the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) to assess patients’ depression.
Results: data showed DSM-IV psychopathology in about 36% of patients; adjustment disorders were most frequent (21%), and were accompanied by either depression alone or mixed anxiety and depression. Mood disorders or depressive symptoms occurred in about 10% of the sample. Anxiety, as measured by the means of the scores obtained on the STAI X-1, was in the pathological range in about 57% of the patient population.
Conclusions: these results show the existence of clinically significant psychopathology in skin cancer patients and point at the need to establish a complete consultation-liaison psychiatric service in cancer wards to improve patients’ quality of life while they are subjected to antiblastic treatment.