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Biomedical subjects

M M ter Kuile

Publications and source records attributed to M M ter Kuile.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Objective assessment of sexual arousal in women with a history of hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The potential contribution of psychological and anatomical changes to sexual dysfunction following hysterectomy is not clear. Radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer causes surgical damage to the autonomic nerves which are responsible for the increased vaginal blood flow during sexual arousal. Simple hysterectomy causes more limited nerve disruption. Photoplethysmographic assessment of vaginal pulse amplitude objectively measures vaginal blood flow during sexual arousal. We hypothesised that damage of the autonomic nerves results in a disrupted vaginal blood flow response during sexual stimulation. DESIGN: Between-groups comparison of vaginal pulse amplitude. SETTING: University hospital. SAMPLE: Twelve women with a history of radical hysterectomy, 12 women with a history of simple abdomonal hysterectomy and 17 aged-matched controls. METHODS: Photoplethysmographic assessment of vaginal pulse amplitude during sexual stimulation by erotic films. Self-reported ratings of subjective sexual arousal were collected after each erotic stimulus condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Maximum vaginal pulse amplitude. RESULTS: Maximum vaginal pulse amplitude differed between the three groups (P= 0.043). Women with a history of radical hysterectomy had a lower response than controls (P= 0.015). Women in the radical hysterectomy group and controls reported an equally strong subjective arousal. Women with a history of simple hysterectomy showed an intermediate maximum vaginal pulse amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: Radical hysterectomy seems associated with a disturbed vaginal blood flow response during sexual arousal. This cannot be explained solely by uteric extirpation, since it was not observed to the same extent after simple hysterectomy, but might be related to a denervation of the vagina which increases with increasing radicality of surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Evidence for associations among somatoform dissociation, psychological dissociation and reported trauma in patients with chronic pelvic pain.

This study investigates somatoform as well as psychological dissociation, somatization and reported trauma among patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Women with CPP (n = 52) who were newly referred to a gynecology department, or whose pain had resisted treatment, completed standardized self-report questionnaires and received a structured interview for DSM-IV dissociative disorders. The prevalence of dissociative disorders in the sample was very low. As hypothesized, self-reported somatoform dissociation was positively correlated with self-reported psychological dissociation and features of DSM-IV dissociative disorders; women who reported more serious psychic trauma, in particular sexual and physical abuse, experienced more somatoform and psychological dissociation than women reporting less trauma, or no trauma at all; and the association of somatoform dissociation and reported trauma was stronger than the association of psychological dissociation and trauma. Physical abuse/life threat posed by a person predicted somatoform dissociation best. The results are consistent with findings among psychiatric patients, and, therefore, strengthen the thesis that somatoform dissociation, (features of) dissociative disorder, and reported trauma are strongly intercorrelated phenomena.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Request for labia correction: sometimes more than a simple question].

Three women aged 19, 50 and 33 years, requested surgical correction of their labia minora because of subjective complaints attributed to the size of their labia minora. However, during consultation, for one of the patients it transpired that she did not know anything about the normal physiological changes of the external genitals during puberty and the enormous variety and diversity of the length of labia minora between women. It turned out that the other woman felt uncertain about her genitals following a recent divorce. For the third woman a vulvar pain syndrome and a sexual abuse history became clear. Two of the patients decided not to undergo surgery and the third sought a cure elsewhere. The request for a surgical correction of the labia minora seems quite simple and the operation does not seem to be complicated either. However, the question remains as to whether an operation is the solution for the psychological and behavioural consequences the woman experiences. A conservative approach is recommended, with attention for other possible problems that can be hidden behind the request for labia minora correction.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The Sexual and Physical Abuse Questionnaire (SPAQ). A screening instrument for adults to assess past and current experiences of abuse.

OBJECTIVE: We reconstructed and validated a simple questionnaire to be completed by adult respondents for the assessment of sexual and physical abuse during childhood and later life, the Sexual and Physical Abuse Questionnaire (SPAQ). METHOD: The criterion validity of the questionnaire was investigated in a population of psychiatric outpatients (n = 134) using the Structured Trauma Interview [Am. J. Psychiatr. 156 (1999) 379] as gold standard for the assessment of sexual and physical abuse. RESULTS: All questionnaires were returned fully completed. The measures of agreement and the predictive measures of the questionnaire were satisfactory, in particular with respect to experiences of sexual abuse. Positive answering of the questionnaire increased the odds for sexual abuse by a factor of 12-17.5, and negative answering of the questionnaire reduced the odds by a third. The odds for physical abuse were increased by a factor of 8 with positive answering of the questionnaire, and reduced by a third with negative answering. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire may be a useful screening instrument in research and in clinical practice to assess sexual abuse during childhood and later years. As a screening instrument for physical abuse it is less satisfactory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Treatment outcome expectancies and hypnotic susceptibility as moderators of pain reduction in patients with chronic tension-type headache.

The aim of this study was to determine whether hypnotic susceptibility (a) predicts pain reduction posttreatment and at follow-up independent of generic expectations of treatment outcome and mode of treatment and (b) predicts persistence of pain reduction during the follow-up period. In 169 patients with chronic tension-type headaches randomly allocated to either self-hypnosis or autogenic training, pain reduction posttreatment and at follow-up was significantly associated with hypnotic susceptibility independent of generic expectations of treatment outcome and treatment condition. Moreover, it was found that early responders obtained significantly higher hypnotic susceptibility scores than nonresponders, although there were no significant differences in hypnotic susceptibility between late responders in comparison to early and nonresponders. However, almost one fourth of those who were nonresponders posttreatment did respond at follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The effect of a group programme on women with the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a group programme on psychological distress in women with the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome. SETTING: Gynaecologic outpatient clinic. SAMPLE: Seventeen women with MRKH syndrome participated in this study. METHOD: A semi-structured programme of seven sessions was offered dealing with themes of the MRKH syndrome. Psychological distress was measured at the first visit 3-6 month before the group programme was started (pre-test-0), at the first (pre-test) and then at the last group session (post-test). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The Symptom Check List-90 was used to assess feelings of psychological distress. RESULTS: The post-test subscale scores for anxiety, depression, interpersonal sensitivity and the total score for psychological distress were significantly lower than the pre-test-0 and pre-test scores (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the pre-test-0 and pre-test subscale scores and total score. CONCLUSION: A semi-structured group programme seems valuable in helping women with the MRKH syndrome to deal with their psychological stress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Vaginismus and dyspareunia: is there a difference in clinical presentation?

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify clinical similarities and differences in patients with vaginismus and dyspareunia. Thirty patients who were referred to an outpatient clinic for psychosomatic gynecology and sexology, with either of these two diagnoses, were investigated by means of a standardized interview, physical examination and self-rating questionnaires. Based on the interview, no significant differences were demonstrated between patients with vaginismus and dyspareunia, in the ability to insert a finger into the vagina or to have a gynecological examination. No differences were found in the reported level of pain during coitus (or attempted coitus), inserting one finger into the vagina, or during gynecological examination. Patients with vaginismus, however, more often reported that coitus was impossible. The physical examination and self-rating questionnaires showed no differences at all between patients with vaginismus and dyspareunia in palpated vaginal muscular tension and reported anxiety or tension during the examination. Moreover, in both groups redness and painful areas on the vulva were equally common. Redness and pain on the same location were more frequently present in the dyspareunia group. Patients with dyspareunia reported higher levels of pain during the examination. In conclusion, neither the interview nor the physical examination produced useful criteria to distinguish vaginismus from dyspareunia. A multi-axial description of these syndromes is suggested, rather than viewing them as two separate disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Sexual problems and experiences with sexual and physical violence in gynecological patients].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of sexual difficulties and of sexual and physical abuse. DESIGN: Descriptive survey study. SETTING: Outpatient gynaecology clinic of the University Hospital of Leiden, the Netherlands. PATIENTS AND METHOD: During 3 months, December 1994-February 1995, all consecutive new female patients were questioned by the gynaecologist by means of a short standardised questionnaire. Oncology patients and non-Dutch-speaking patients were excluded. Data were analysed with descriptive statistical procedures; relationships among variables were tested with the chi 2 test with Yates' correction or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Of 325 patients 34.2% reported sexual difficulties, 15.4% reported sexual abuse and 7.4% physical molestation. Age of the patient and presence or absence of the partner during the consultation were not associated with differences in the patients' reports. 18.8% of the patients with these complaints answered affirmatively when asked if they needed specialised help. CONCLUSION: Sexual difficulties and sexual and physical abuse were common among gynaecology patients. Less than one-fifth of them required specialised help.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Psychologic profiles of and sexual function in women with vulvar vestibulitis and their partners.

OBJECTIVE: To compare psychologic profiles of women with vulvar vestibulitis and their partners with a normal population, and to identify sexual dysfunction in women and their partners. METHODS: Forty-three women with vulvar vestibulitis and 38 partners, recruited from a gynecology outpatient clinic, completed the Symptom Check List-90, the Short Dutch Version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Maudsley Marital Questionnaire, and the Questionnaire for Screening Sexual Dysfunctions. RESULTS: The women with vulvar vestibulitis scored significantly higher on the somatization and shyness subscales than a normal population. They didn't differ in respect to their current level of psychologic distress, extraversion, risk of psychopathology, and marital satisfaction. Their partners had significantly lower scores for psychopathology than a normal population. They didn't differ from a normal population in respect to their level of psychologic distress, extraversion, shyness, somatization, and marital satisfaction. Women with vulvar vestibulitis reported more frequent problems and higher distress with genital pain, lubrication, sexual arousal, and negative emotions in the sexual interaction with the partner. During masturbation, however, they reported less frequent problems and distress. The partners of these women reported nearly no problems or distress in either sexual situation. CONCLUSION: Women with vulvar vestibulitis and their partners seem in general to be psychologically healthy, although vulvar vestibulitis may be associated with a situationally defined sexual dysfunction for the women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Treatment of recurrent tension headache: a meta-analytic review.

The primary aim of this study was to investigate which treatment, patient, and study characteristics are related to treatment outcome in tension headache. Literature on the subject was obtained by searching for articles published in English through CD-rom Compact Cambridge and PSYCHLIT (1970/1993) on the subjects of headache and tension or muscle contraction in combination with therapy or treatment. Inclusion criteria were prospective design, tension headache, > or = five subjects per condition; pre- and posttreatment scores available, subjects older than 16 years. Each article was independently reviewed and its data encoded by the two authors. Finally, 78 articles with 175 treated and nontreated conditions (total of 2,866 patients) were selected for this study. Meta-analysis revealed that cognitive therapy, relaxation, or electromyelographic (EMG) biofeedback alone or in combination with relaxation were superior to no treatment and to pseudo/placebo therapy. Pharmacological and other therapies were better than no treatment. However, restricting the analyses to studies using a headache diary, the results of pharmacological therapy were comparable to those of placebo therapy. Moreover, a better treatment outcome was found in studies with a relatively short duration of headache complaints (r = -0.31) and with a relatively younger patient sample (r = -0.22). The year of publication was negatively related with improvement (r = -0.36). No relationship between treatment outcome and other treatment characteristics (duration, transfer of treatment), patient characteristics (gender, method of patient recruitment), and study characteristics (internal validity of the study, criteria for diagnosing tension headache, number of patients, drop-outs) was found. These findings suggest that treatment outcome may be affected more by patient characteristics than by treatment characteristics. Finally, some practical and research implications of these findings are discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Assessment of hypnotic processes and responsiveness in a clinical context.

The present study was designed to investigate in a clinical situation whether differences in measured hypnotizability validly reflect differences in hypnotic processes and to what extent factors deemed extraneous to hypnosis--such as resistance--influence hypnotic responding. To answer this question, Dutch versions of relevant scales had to first be developed. The factorial validity and reliability of a Dutch translation of the Resistance Toward Hypnosis Scale (DRHS) and a shortened Dutch version of the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (DPCI) were investigated in a sample of 205 psychiatric patients. The DRHS proved to be factorially valid and reliable, and two subscales, Trance and Reality Orientation, derived empirically from the DPCI showed good to satisfactory reliability. In a second study with a subsample of 99 psychiatric patients, hypnotizability as measured by the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Adults was strongly and positively related to DPCI Trance scores and moderately and negatively related to DPCI Reality Orientation and DRHS Resistance scores. It is concluded that hypnotizability as measured in a clinical context under standard conditions is strongly related to hypnotic experiences over and above the moderate effects of resistance toward hypnosis and hypnotic suggestions. Standard hypnotizability assessments appear to be similar in their meaning in an experimental and clinical context.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS): psychometric properties within a Dutch population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) in a Dutch population. The participants in this study were 373 heterosexual couples: 305 couples with a sexual problem and 68 student couples (test-retest). Evidence for a 12-factor solution corresponding to the original 12 subscales of GRISS was found, although some of the subscales were rather highly correlated. The homogeneity of the 12 GRISS subscales, as determined by mean interitem correlations, item-rest correlations, and Cronbach's coefficient alpha, was satisfactory to good. The test-retest reliability of the GRISS scales was sufficient. The GRISS subscales were reasonably stable with respect to age, duration of the relationship, and level of education. Furthermore, a higher order factor analysis on the 12 subscales suggested a male and a female sexual dissatisfaction factor.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An observational longitudinal study to evaluate miction, defecation, and sexual function after radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the problems with miction, defecation, and sexuality after a radical hysterectomy with or without adjuvant radiotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer stage I-IIA. This study included an observational longitudinal study of self-reported bladder, defecation, and sexual problems with a baseline score. Ninety-four women were included in the study. An age-matched control group consisted of 224 women. The patients showed significantly more negative effects on sexual function compared with both the controls and their situation before the treatment throughout 24 months of follow-up. The problems included less lubrication, a narrow and short vagina, senseless areas around the labia, dyspareunia, and sexual dissatisfaction. Up to 12 months after the treatment, the patients complained significantly more of little or no urge to urinate and diarrhea as compared with the controls. Adjuvant radiotherapy did not increase the risk of bladder dysfunction, colorectal motility disorders, and sexual functions. We conclude that a radical hysterectomy for the treatment of early-stage cervical carcinoma is associated with adverse effects mainly on sexual functioning.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Responders and nonresponders to autogenic training and cognitive self-hypnosis: prediction of short- and long-term success in tension-type headache patients.

The present study was conducted to determine whether demographic variables, medical status variables, and psychological measures at pretreatment were related to pain reduction immediately following behavioral treatment for headache and at a 6-month follow-up. The study sample consisted of 156 subjects, who were selected for participation in a behavioral outcome study on the efficacy of autogenic training and cognitive self-hypnosis training. A Headache Index based on pain diaries constituted the main outcome measure. Psychological measures included the Symptom Checklist-90, Dutch Personality Questionnaire, Coping Strategy Questionnaire, Multidimensional Locus of Pain Control Questionnaire, and treatment expectations. Subjects who expected more pain reduction at pretreatment achieved a lower level of pain at posttreatment, independent of pretreatment pain levels. None of the other pretreatment variables were related with pain reduction at posttreatment or at the follow-up. Finally, at the 6-month follow-up, 43 subjects were classified as responders (more than 50% pain reduction) and 113 as nonresponders (less than 50% pain reduction and dropouts). At pretreatment, the responders perceived more pain control than the nonresponders. None of the other pretreatment differences between responders and nonresponders proved to be significant. The main conclusion that could be drawn from this study was that pain reduction, in the short- and long-term, cannot be predicted with any accuracy by demographic and medical status variables or scores for psychological distress, personality traits, coping strategy use, and pain appraisals.

Adaptation, Psychological↗