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Biomedical subjects

G Ikkos

Publications and source records attributed to G Ikkos.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Responding to trainee doctors in difficulty.

Appropriate workload, good clinical and educational supervision and rigorous appraisal routines will prevent a number of trainees developing difficulties. When difficulties do occur the presence of such arrangements will facilitate appropriate emotional and practical handling of these problems.

Defense Mechanisms↗
PubMed1994

A prospective study of the psychological impact on patients with a first episode of genital herpes.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the psychological impact of first episode of genital herpes, and to determine whether this changes over time. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The Departments of Genitourinary Medicine (GUM), and Dermatology, Middlesex Hospital London. The study group consisted of patients attending the department of GUM with a clinically proven first episode of genital herpes. Two control groups were recruited; firstly patients without herpes attending the GUM Department and secondly patients attending the Dermatology Department out patients with chronic dermatoses. METHODS: Patients and controls completed an 87 item, self-administered psychological questionnaire at 3 monthly intervals for a year. The questionnaire consisted of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ); the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire (HADQ); Illness Attitude Scales and Illness Concern. Patients were also asked questions about their sexual behaviour. RESULTS: Ninety one patients (68 women, 23 men) with genital herpes, 61 GUM controls (42 women, 19 men) and 56 dermatology controls (36 women, 20 men) participated. There were no statistically significant demographic differences between patients and controls. At first visit the proportion of patients classified as "cases" by the GHQ (GHQ cases) were similar for primary herpes patients 62% (56/91) and Dermatology controls 52% (29/56) while a significantly smaller proportion of GUM controls 34% (21/61) were classified as GHQ cases. The primary herpes group were significantly more concerned about their illness than either the GUM controls or the Dermatology controls (p < 0.002). The proportion of primary herpes patients classified as "cases" by the GHQ reduced significantly over the initial three month period with 67% of patients classified as "cases" at their first visit becoming "noncases" after three months (p < 0.0001). Also 50% of those classified as "cases" at first visit by the HADQ become "noncases" after the initial three months (p = 0.007). The illness concern scores also decreased significantly from visit one to visit two (means 14.7 vs. 12.3; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of a first episode of genital herpes has a profound emotional effect on patients. If they do not have recurrent episodes, their emotional state improves. For those who do have recurrences, the level of anxiety and concern remains as high as at the time of their first diagnosis. Clinicians must be sensitive to the emotional impact such a diagnosis may bring.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The effect of suppressive oral acyclovir on the psychological morbidity associated with recurrent genital herpes.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the psychological impact of recurrent genital herpes and to determine if longterm acyclovir has any impact on this morbidity. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Patients with frequently recurring genital herpes attending a department of genitourinary medicine who were considered suitable for longterm acyclovir. METHODS: Patients completed an 80 item, self-administered psychological questionnaire before starting acyclovir and every three months for one year. Treatment was then stopped and three months later a further questionnaire was completed. The questionnaire consisted of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ); the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire (HADQ); Illness Attitude Scales and Illness Concern. Data were analysed by McNemar's test for changes in proportions and by Wilcoxon's test for changes in scores. RESULTS: 102 patients were recruited: 55 men, and 47 women. Eighty two (80%) patients completed three months treatment, 75 (74%) six months, 64 (63%) nine months and 61 (60%) a year. Fifty (49%) of the original 102 patients completed the three months post treatment follow up. At first visit 63% (64/102) were designated as GHQ "cases". Within three months this decreased to 26% (21/82). McNemar's test showed that 67% (34/51) of the patients who were initially classified as GHQ "cases" became "noncases" after three months (p < 0.0001). There was a significant decrease in the proportion of HAD anxiety cases from visit one to visit two (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in illness concern scores from visit one to visit two (p < 0.0001). All these decreases were maintained throughout the years treatment with acyclovir. CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial morbidity associated with frequently recurring genital herpes. However, acyclovir suppression significantly reduces illness concern and anxiety and is a useful addition to the treatment of this infection.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1987

The assessment of patients' distress in genito-urinary medicine clinics.

A sample of patients attending the clinic of a Department of Genito-Urinary Medicine in London completed The General Health Questionnaire, The Illness Behaviour Questionnaire and The Illness Concern Questionnaire. The doctor whom they consulted was also asked to complete rating scales regarding each patient's level of psychological disturbance. Thirty-eight percent of patients scored highly on the GHQ, indicating possible psychological disturbance. However, only one in five of such 'cases' were also rated by the doctor as possibly psychologically disturbed. A number of social variables are examined that may facilitate or limit the communication of psychological distress. No evidence of labelling of deviant groups is found. However, both the sample in general and specific sub-groups in particular scored highly on scales of hypochondriasis and distress in relation to health and such characteristics appeared relevant to doctors' judgements of patients' psychological states.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Psychological disturbance and illness behaviour in a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases.

Patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic were asked to complete the General Health Questionnaire and the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire. Data were collected from 852 patients. One-third of the sample were found to score positively on the GHQ, indicating possible psychological disturbance. Women were more likely than men to score positively on the GHQ. On the General Hypochondriasis scale of the IBQ the sample's scores were higher than any other normative data except those obtained from psychiatric in-patients. On this scale homosexual and bisexual males scored significantly higher than heterosexual males. It is argued that the IBQ draws attention to important dimensions of psychological distress in STD clinics.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Survey of psychological disturbance in patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic.

A survey of psychological disturbance was conducted in a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic, using the general health questionnaire, the Crown-Crisp experiential index, and the illness concern questionnaire. Of 381 patients who completed the questionnaire, 158 (43%) had general health questionnaire scores indicating that they were psychiatric cases. Psychological disturbance was more common in women. The association between general health questionnaire caseness and patients' reports of concerns and worries about illness in relation to their presenting complaint was significant. The Crown-Crisp experiential index scores of cases were lower than those characteristic of patients attending psychiatric clinics, and much of the psychological disturbance found by this and other surveys of STD clinics may therefore represent distress in relation to the presenting problem. Of the 381 patients, 14 (4%) appeared to have an abnormal or unwarranted level of distress in relation to their presenting complaint.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The recognition of psychological disturbance in a sexually transmitted diseases clinic.

This study examined the rate of psychological disturbance in a series of new patients attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. Forty three per cent of patients were identified as probable psychiatric cases by the General Health Questionnaire. Medical staff in the clinic were asked to assess patients' level of psychological disturbance. Disagreement between GHQ and doctors' ratings occurred in 41% of patients. Some patient and doctor characteristics were examined that might be associated with disagreement, and the results are discussed in terms of possible social--psychological influences upon doctors' recognition of psychological disturbance.

Adult↗