Association between postpartum thyroid dysfunction and thyroid antibodies and depression.

OBJECTIVE--To define the relation between mood and autoimmune thyroid dysfunction during the eight months after delivery. DESIGN--Double blind comparison of the psychiatric status of women positive and negative for thyroid antibodies. Clinical examination and blood sampling for free triiodothyronine and thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, and thyroid antibody concentrations at four weekly intervals. Psychiatric assessment at six, eight, 12, 20, and 28 weeks post partum. SETTING--Outpatient department of district hospital. PATIENTS--145 antibody positive women and 229 antibody negative women delivering between August 1987 and December 1989. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Thyroid status. Number of cases of mental ill health by the general health questionnaire, research diagnostic criteria, Hamilton 17 item depression scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. RESULTS--Six weeks after delivery the general health questionnaire showed 62 (43%) antibody positive women and 65 (28%) antibody negative women had mental ill health (chi 2 = 8.18, p less than 0.005). Follow up of 110 antibody positive and 132 antibody negative women showed significantly greater depression by research diagnostic criteria in antibody positive women (47%) than antibody negative women (32%) regardless of thyroid dysfunction. Antibody positive women showed higher mean scores for depression on the Hamilton (6.01 v 3.89, p = 0.0002), Edinburgh (7.45 v 5.92, p = 0.031), and hospital depression scales (4.95 v 3.79, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION--Depressive symptoms are associated with positive thyroid antibody status in the postpartum period.     

Stress,anxiety, and depression in hospital consultants,general practitioners,and senior health service managers.

OBJECTIVE--To study stress, anxiety, and depression in a group of senior health service staff. DESIGN--Postal survey. SUBJECTS--81 hospital consultants, 322 general practitioners, and 121 senior hospital managers (total 524). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Scores on the general health questionnaire and the hospital anxiety and depression scale. RESULTS--Sixty five (80%) consultants, 257 (80%) general practitioners, and 67 (56%) managers replied. Of all 389 subjects, 183 (47%) scored positively on the general health questionnaire, indicating high levels of stress. From scores on the hospital anxiety and depression scale only 178 (46%) would be regarded as free from anxiety, with 100 (25%) scoring as borderline cases and 111 (29%) likely to be experiencing clinically measurable symptoms. The findings for depression were also of some concern, especially for general practitioners, with 69 (27%) scoring as borderline or likely to be depressed. General practitioners were more likely to be depressed than managers (69 (27%) v 4 (6%) scored > or = 8 on hospital anxiety and depression scale-D; P = 0.004) with no significant difference between general practitioners and consultants. General practitioners were significantly more likely to show suicidal thinking than were consultants (36 (14%) v 3 (5%); P = 0.04) but not managers (9 (13%)). No significant difference could be found between the three groups on any other measure. CONCLUSIONS--The levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in senior doctors and managers in the NHS seem to be high and perhaps higher than expected.     

综合性心理干预对冠心病介入治疗患者抑郁焦虑及生活质量的影响

目的:探究综合性心理干预对冠心病介入治疗患者焦虑、抑郁及生活质量的影响。方法:选择2014年6月~2015年6月期间我院收治冠心病性介入治疗患者3280例为研究对象,采用随机数字法将其分为观察组(1648例)和对照组(1632例),观察组患者给予常规治疗、抗抑郁治疗及综合心理干预,对照组给予常规治疗、抗抑郁治疗;采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)评价患者治疗前后焦虑、抑郁状态,生活质量评价量表QLQ-C30量表评价患者治疗前后生活质量的变化情况。结果:两组患者在入院时SAS和SDS得分不存在差异(P0.05);干预1月后两组组患者的SAS和SDS得分均出现显著降低(P0.05),且观察组患者的SAS和SDS评分均明显低于对照组(P0.05);干预前两组患者生存质量各维度的评分均不存在显著差异(P0.05);干预1个月后两组患者躯体功能、角色功能、社会功能、情绪功能及总体症状较干预前均出现明显改善(P0.05),且干预后观察组患者躯体功能、角色功能、社会功能、情绪功能及总体症状均显著优于对照组(P0.05)。结论:冠心病介入治疗患者进行综合性心理干预能够改善患者心理状态,降低患者焦虑、抑郁情绪,提高生活质量,对临床冠心病的治疗有重要的意义。     

Job stress,satisfaction, and mental health among general practitioners before and after introduction of new contract.

OBJECTIVE--To compare measures of job stress, job satisfaction, and mental health among general practitioners before and after the introduction of the new contract in April 1990. DESIGN--Cross sectional postal questionnaire survey in July 1990. Comparison of results with those obtained in previous survey in November 1987. SETTING--General practice in United Kingdom. SUBJECTS--1500 general practitioners randomly selected from general medical services lists, 917 of whom (61%) returned questionnaires usable for statistical analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Aspects of job causing stress, job satisfaction (Warr, Cook, and Wall scale), and mental health (Crown-Crisp experiential index). RESULTS--Compared with 1987, in 1990 doctors experienced more stress from night calls (mean score 3.83 in 1990 v 3.45 in 1987), emergencies during surgery hours (3.72 v 3.48), and interruption of family life by telephone (3.58 v 2.73; p less than 0.001 for all three variables). Scores for somatic anxiety and depression were higher in both men and women in 1990 (men: somatic anxiety 3.12 v 2.36; depression 3.80 v 2.94; women: somatic anxiety 3.56 v 2.65; depression 4.02 v 3.37; p less than 0.001). Job satisfaction had also decreased in 1990 (5.23 v 4.26; p less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS--Doctors experienced more stress, less job satisfaction, and poorer mental health in 1990 than in 1987. These changes may have resulted from the introduction of the new contract.     

腹针疗法治疗冠心病介入术后合并焦虑抑郁障碍患者疗效及对患者焦虑、躯体症状的影响

摘要 目的：探讨腹针疗法治疗冠心病介入术后合并焦虑抑郁障碍患者疗效及对焦虑、躯体症状的影响。方法：选择2021年8月-2022年5月在广东省中医院诊治的冠心病介入术后合并焦虑抑郁障碍患者120例作为研究对象,根据1:1平行对照原则把患者分为试验组与对照组各60例。对照组给予常规治疗,试验组在对照组治疗的基础上给予腹针疗法治疗,试验组与对照组都治疗观察4周。结果：试验组与对照组治疗后的焦虑与抑郁评分明显低于治疗前,试验组明显低于对照组（P<0.05）。试验组与对照组治疗后的心绞痛积分明显高于治疗前,试验组明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组中医症候积分较治疗前低,试验组也明显低于对照组（P<0.05）。试验组治疗期间的便秘、嗜睡、头晕、心动过速等不良反应发生率为3.3 %,对照组为21.7 %,试验组与对照组对比有明显差异（P<0.05）。结论：腹针疗法治疗冠心病介入术后合并焦虑抑郁障碍患者能促进缓解焦虑抑郁症状还可减少不良反应,改善心绞痛症状,降低中医症候积分。     

Chronic memory impairment after cardiac arrest outside hospital.

OBJECTIVES--To evaluate the nature, prevalence, and severity of chronic memory deficit in patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest outside hospital and to determine whether such deficits are related to duration of cardiac arrest. DESIGN--Case-control study. SUBJECTS--35 survivors of cardiac arrest outside hospital and 35 controls matched for age and sex who had had acute myocardial infarction without cardiac arrest. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Subjects assessed at least two months after index event for affective state (hospital anxiety and depression scale), premorbid intelligence (national adult reading test), short term recall (digit recall test), and episodic long term memory (Rivermead behavioural memory test). RESULTS--Cases and controls showed no difference in short term recall. Cases scored lower on Rivermead test than controls (mean (SD) score out of 24 points: 17.4 (5.4) v 21.8 (2.0), P < 0.001), particularly in subtests relating to verbal and spatial memory. Moderate or severe impairment was found in 37% of cases and in no controls. Severity of impairment of memory correlated significantly with measures of duration of cardiac arrest. This deficit was not significantly associated with subjects'' age, interval from index event to assessment, occupation, measures of comorbidity, social deprivation, anxiety or depression scores, or estimated premorbid intelligence. CONCLUSIONS--Clinically important impairment of memory was common after cardiac arrest outside hospital. Improvement in response times of emergency services could reduce the severity of such deficits. With an increasing numbers of people expected to survive cardiac arrest outside hospital, rehabilitation of those with memory deficit merits specific attention.     

认知干预对肝癌介入患者焦虑和抑郁情绪的影响

目的:探讨认知干预对肝癌介入患者焦虑和抑郁情绪的影响。方法:选取我院2013年01月-2014年06月于中心导管室行肝癌介入术患者86例,按随机数字表法分为对照组和实验组。对照组实施常规护理;干预组在常见护理基础上实施认知干预行为。采用焦虑自测评量表(SAS)、抑郁自量评量表(SDS)对两组患者于入院时、术前1天及术后1天和1周时进行焦虑状和抑郁态评估。结果:两组患者入院时SAS和SDS评分比较无显著性差异(t=0.24、-0.08,P0.05),与国内常模相比有明显差异(t=16.63、15.87、9.64、11.31,P0.05);与入院时比较,两组患者术前、术后1天和术后1周SAS和SDS评分明显下降(F=10.37、42.07、4.76、29.68,P0.05);与对照组同时段比较,认知干预后SAS和SDS评分相比均有明显降低(t=1.97、4.58、5.29、1.83、3.85、5.20,P0.05)。结论:积极有效的认知干预行为对肝癌介入患者的焦虑、抑郁情绪障碍具有明显的缓解和减轻作用。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ受体拮抗剂对高血压合并焦虑抑郁患者的疗效观察

目的:研究厄贝沙坦对高血压合并焦虑抑郁患者的临床疗效。方法:选取2010年1月至2013年12月在哈尔滨医科大学附属第四医院心内科住院的高血压伴焦虑抑郁患者180人。根据汉密尔顿抑郁量表17项(HAMD)及汉密尔顿焦虑量表14项(HAMA)评分,将患者随机分为治疗组和对照组。治疗组患者采用厄贝沙坦进行治疗,而对照组患者采用非洛地平进行治疗。观察并比较两组患者平均血压的下降幅度、治疗总有效率及治疗前后焦虑抑郁量表的评分变化。结果:两组患者治疗总有效率无显著差异(P0.05)。与对照组相比,治疗组收缩压和舒张压降低较明显,HAMA和HAMD总分降低明显,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:厄贝沙坦对原发性高血压伴虑患抑郁焦患者具有有良好的治疗作用。     

心理咨询对血友病患者心境障碍的干预效果

目的:观察心理咨询对血友病心境障碍患者的干预效果。方法:选择2014年1月~2015年4月在哈尔滨医科大学附属第四医院血液内科接受治疗的血友病患者63例,年龄从18~55岁且具有良好的思维能力和判断能力,并获得知情同意的,用心理咨询的方法前后用汉密尔顿焦虑量表和汉密尔顿抑郁量表进行测查,得出结论。结果:在对63例血友病的患者心理咨询及测查的结果看,血友病患者中有抑郁情绪的比率从88.9%降低到63.5%,抑郁情绪的平均值从17.62降到9.98差异显著。有焦虑情绪的比率从77.8%降低到57.1%,平均值从20.87降到12.06差异显著。具有统计学意义,这充分说明了心理咨询对血友病患者是有效果的。结论:用心理咨询的方法对血友病患者进行心理干预是有效的。     

Comparison of community based service with hospital based service for people with acute,severe psychiatric illness.

OBJECTIVE--To compare the burden on relatives and outcome of people treated for severe acute psychiatric illness by a community service and a traditional hospital based service. DESIGN--Follow up of patients aged 16-65 who required admission to hospital or home treatment for psychiatric illness during January 1990 to February 1991. SETTING--Two Birmingham electoral wards, Sparkbrook and Small Heath; Sparkbrook has a community based service and Small Heath a traditional hospital based service. SUBJECTS--69 patients from Sparkbrook and 55 from Small Health. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Scores on present state examination, social behaviour assessment schedule, and general health questionnaire. RESULTS--24 (35%) of Sparkbrook patients received some treatment in hospital during the initial episodes. Relatives of Sparkbrook patients were less distressed by their burden at the initial assessment than relatives of Small Health patients (mean score 0.11 v 0.29, p < 0.01). Relatives were also more satisfied with the support they received and the treatment received by patients. More patients from Sparkbrook than Small Health were in contact with a psychiatrist (81% (95% confidence interval 71% to 91%) v 62% (44% to 68%)) and community nurse (56% (44% to 68%) v 14% (13% to 24%)) one year after the initial episode. Sparkbrook patients spent significantly fewer days in hospital during the initial episode (8 days v 59 days) and the first year (20.6 v 67.9 days). CONCLUSION--The community based service is as effective as the hospital based service and is preferred by relatives. It is more effective in keeping people in long term contact with psychiatrists.     

正念训练联合情志干预缓解肿瘤安宁期患者癌因性疲乏的效果观察

摘要 目的：探讨正念训练联合情志干预缓解肿瘤安宁期患者癌因性疲乏的效果。方法：选择2018年1月到2019年10月在本院进行诊治的肿瘤安宁期患者122例,根据随机数字表法将其分为正念组与对照组,每组各61例。对照组给予常规情志干预,正念组给予正念训练联合情志干预,两组干预观察时间为8周。记录和比较两组治疗前后癌因性疲乏指标(正念评分、焦虑与抑郁评分、睡眠质量评分、行为/严重程度、情感、感觉、认知/情绪评分)的变化情况。结果：干预后,正念组与对照组的正念评分都高于干预前,且正念组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后焦虑与抑郁评分、睡眠质量评分都显著低于干预前,正念组明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。正念组干预后的行为/严重程度、情感、感觉、认知/情绪评分都明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论：正念训练联合情志干预能缓解肿瘤安宁期患者的癌因性疲乏状况,提高睡眠质量与正念认知,缓解患者的焦虑与抑郁情绪。     

黛力新联合中药熏香治疗慢性肾衰竭伴发抑郁焦虑的效果研究

目的:探讨黛力新联合中药熏香治疗慢性肾衰竭伴发抑郁焦虑的临床效果。方法:将我院自2017年10月至2018年9月收治的慢性肾衰竭伴发抑郁焦虑患者65例作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法将其分为研究组33例和对照组32例,研究组患者给予黛力新联合中药熏香进行治疗,对照组患者给予黛力新进行治疗,观察和比较两组患者抑郁自评量表(Self-rating depression scale,SDS)、焦虑自评量表(Self-Rating Anxiety Scale,SAS)及社会支持评定量表(social support rate scale,SSRS)量表评分的变化情况。结果:治疗前,两组患者SAS、SDS、SSRS评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的SAS和SDS情绪评分均较治疗前明显降低,SSRS评分均较治疗前明显升高,且研究组SAS和SDS情绪评分明显低于对照组,而SSRS评分显著高于对照组(P0.05)。研究组患者治疗依从率为96.97%,口干、恶心、头晕、纳差等轻度不良反应发生率为30.30%,均明显高于对照组(84.38%和12.50%,P0.05),两组患者在治疗过程中均未出现明显的恶性不良反应,研究组患者上述不良反应在停止熏香治疗后自行缓解。结论:黛力新联合中药熏香梅花香和安神香用于治疗慢性肾衰竭伴发抑郁焦虑患者能够有效的缓解患者抑郁、焦虑的不良情绪,提高社会支持和治疗依从率。     

间质性肺疾病患者生活质量与肺功能和焦虑抑郁情绪的关系及其影响因素分析

摘要 目的：探讨间质性肺疾病（ILD）患者生活质量与肺功能和焦虑抑郁情绪的关系及其影响因素。方法：选取2019年3月至2020年10月期间我院收治的100例ILD患者。比较ILD患者与一般人群的圣乔治呼吸问卷（SGRQ）评分、肺功能指标[第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV₁）、用力肺活量（FVC）、肺总量（TLC）及一氧化碳弥散量（DLCo）];观察患者的医院焦虑抑郁量表（HADS）评分（该评分包括焦虑和抑郁评分两部分）;分析ILD患者的SGRQ评分与肺功能指标,焦虑、抑郁评分的相关性;单因素、多因素Logistic回归分析ILD患者生活质量的影响因素。结果：ILD患者的SGRQ各维度评分及总分均高于一般人群,FVC、FEV₁、TLC及DLCo均低于一般人群（P<0.05）;ILD患者焦虑评分和抑郁评分均较高;ILD患者SGRQ各维度评分均与FVC、FEV1、TLC和DLCo呈负相关（P<0.05）,均与焦虑评分和抑郁评分呈正相关（P<0.05）。单因素分析结果显示,不同年龄、是否吸烟、不同收入情况的ILD患者生活质量有差异（P<0.05）;多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示DLCo、FVC、焦虑和抑郁情绪是ILD患者生活质量的影响因素（P<0.05）,其中焦虑情绪对其生活质量的影响最为显著。结论：ILD患者的生活质量与肺功能和焦虑抑郁情绪有关,提示临床工作中可通过干预ILD患者肺功能和焦虑抑郁情绪以改善其生活质量。     

神经电生理刺激对脑卒中患者脊髓运动神经元的影响

目的:探讨神经电生理刺激对脑卒中患者脊髓运动神经元的影响。方法:2015年9月至2018年2月选择在本院神经内科病房诊治的脑卒中患者160例,根据入院顺序随机分为研究组与对照组,各80例。对照组给予常规治疗,研究组在对照组治疗的基础上给予神经电生理刺激治疗,两组都治疗观察14 d,记录脊髓运动神经功能变化情况。结果:两组治疗后14 d,患者的认知障碍、焦虑抑郁情绪、双下肢无力,步态不稳均得到了改善,研究组的一般情况的改善情况更加明显,主要体现在认知和情绪方面。两组治疗14 d后的脊髓运动神经评分都显著高于治疗前(P0.05),研究组也显著高于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后两组的脑电诱发电位波幅都显著高于治疗前(P0.05),研究组也显著高于对照组(P0.05),两组治疗前后潜伏期对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组治疗期间的肺部感染、颅内感染、迟发性颅内血肿等并发症发生率为3.8%,对照组为5.0%,对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。随访至今(2019年8月),研究组的预后恢复情况显著好于对照组(P0.05)。结论:电生理刺激在脑卒中患者的应用能促进恢复脊髓运动神经元功能,改善脑电活动功能,提高认知功能,减少并发症和焦虑情绪的发生,改善患者的预后恢复。     

认知护理干预在肝癌患者术后恢复中具有显著的疗效

为探讨认知护理干预对肝癌患者术后恢复的影响,本研究选取接受肝癌手术患者150例为观察对象,其中接受认知护理干预的患者84例,为观察组,接受普通护理的患者66例,为对照组。观察患者的疾病不确定感、疼痛程度、焦虑与抑郁(SAS与SDS)、生活质量和睡眠质量,评价认知干预对患者的影响。研究发现两组患者护理前疾病不确定感、SAS和SDS评分、睡眠质量和生活质量均无显著差异;护理后,观察组的疾病不确定感、SAS和SDS评分均极显著低于对照组(p<0.01),而睡眠质量和生活质量均显著高于对照组(p<0.01),观察组中度疼痛和重度疼痛患者明显少于对照组。研究表明认知护理干预有助于肝癌患者术后的恢复。     

国际功能、残疾和健康分类理念下的作业训练对脑卒中患者认知功能、心理状态和生活质量的影响

目的:探讨国际功能、残疾和健康分类(ICF)理念下的作业训练对脑卒中患者认知功能、心理状态和生活质量的影响。方法:选取我院2018年1月~2020年1月收治的脑卒中患者140例,根据随机数字表法,分成观察组(n=70)、对照组(n=70)。对照组行常规作业训练,观察组采用基于ICF理念下的作业训练。两组均观察3个月,分别在干预前、干预3个月后,经蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MOCA)评价两组认知功能的变化。经抑郁自评量表(SDS)、焦虑自评量表(SAS)分析患者的焦虑、抑郁情况。经Fugl-Meyer运动功能评定量表(FMA)、功能综合评定量表(FCA)评估患者运动功能、综合功能。利用健康状态调查量表(SF-36)评估两组生活质量。结果:两组干预后MOCA评分高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后SDS、SAS评分低于干预前,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后FMA、FCA评分高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后SF-36各维度评分均高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:基于ICF理念下的作业训练能进一步改善脑卒中患者的认知功能以及心理状态,且有利于提升运动功能与综合功能,改善生活质量。     

文拉法辛联合认知行为疗法治疗帕金森病抑郁、认知功能障碍的临床疗效评价

目的:探讨文拉法辛联合认知行为疗法治疗帕金森病(PD)抑郁、认知功能障碍的临床疗效和安全性。方法:选择我院收治的60例PD合并抑郁、认知功能障碍患者并将其随机分为三组,分别为对照组(单用文拉法辛治疗),联合奥氮平组(文拉法辛联合奥氮平),联合认知行为疗法组(文拉法辛联合认知行为疗法),每组20例,于治疗前及治疗后4、8周末采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)进行抑郁程度评定,简易精神状态评价量表(MMSE)和事件相关电位(event-related potentials,ERPs)P300进行认知功能评定。结果:治疗4、8周时,三组的HAMD评分均较治疗前有不同程度下降,P300潜伏期较治疗前有不同程度缩短,P300波幅、MMSE评分有不同程度升高(P0.05),联合奥氮平组和联合认知行为疗法组HAMD评分较对照组明显下降,P300潜伏期较对照组明显缩短,P300波幅、MMSE评分明显升高(P0.05),联合认知行为疗法组HAMD评分较联合奥氮平组明显下降,P300潜伏期明显缩短,P300波幅、MMSE评分明显升高(P0.05)。三组均无特殊不良反应。结论:文拉法辛联合认知行为疗法治疗PD抑郁、认知功能障碍疗效确切,能显著改善患者抑郁症状,提高患者的认知功能,疗效较单用文拉法辛或文拉法辛联合奥氮平治疗更好,且安全性高。     

Patients with fatigue in general practice: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE--To describe the characteristics of patients attending their general practitioners and complaining of fatigue or being "tired all the time." DESIGN--Prospective study of cohort aged 16 years and older with follow up at two weeks and by questionnaires at two and six months. SUBJECTS--220 patients (164 women) with mean age 43 years and an age-sex matched comparison group. SETTINGS--Doctors and patients in four practices in Lancashire, Mid Glamorgan, Suffolk, and Surrey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--General clinical data, results from standard group of laboratory tests, fatigue questionnaire, and 12 item general health questionnaire. RESULTS--Over twice as many patients with fatigue had high scores on the health questionnaire compared with the comparison group (156 (75%) v 69 (34%)). Results of laboratory tests were abnormal and contributed to the diagnosis in 19 patients. 59 out of 102 patients who responded had high fatigue scores six months later. Patients with persistent fatigue were more likely to have a history of anxiety or depression and to have had fatigue for more than three months on entry to the study. CONCLUSIONS--Women are particularly at risk of fatigue. The outcome is better if patients have had symptoms for three months or less or there is no history of emotional illness.     

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention for Delayed Psychological Effects in Snakebite Victims

Background

Snakebite results in delayed psychological morbidity and negative psycho-social impact. However, psychological support is rarely provided to victims.

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of a brief intervention which can be provided by non-specialist doctors aimed at reducing psychological morbidity following snakebite envenoming.

Method

In a single blind, randomized controlled trial, snakebite victims with systemic envenoming [n = 225, 168 males, mean age 42.1 (SD 12.4) years] were randomized into three arms. One arm received no intervention (n = 68, Group A), the second received psychological first aid and psychoeducation (dispelling prevalent cultural beliefs related to snakebite which promote development of a sick role) at discharge from hospital (n = 65, Group B), while the third received psychological first aid and psychoeducation at discharge and a second intervention one month later based on cognitive behavioural principles (n = 69, Group C). All patients were assessed six months after hospital discharge for the presence of psychological symptoms and level of functioning using standardized tools.

Results

At six months, there was a decreasing trend in the proportion of patients who were positive for psychiatric symptoms of depression and anxiety from Group A through Group B to Group C (Chi square test for trend = 7.901, p = 0.005). This was mainly due to a decreasing trend for symptoms of anxiety (chi-square for trend = 11.256, p = 0.001). There was also decreasing trend in the overall prevalence of disability from Group A through Group B to Group C (chi square for trend = 7.551, p = 0.006), predominantly in relation to disability in family life (p = 0.006) and social life (p = 0.005). However, there was no difference in the proportion of patients diagnosed with depression between the three groups (chi square for trend = 0.391, p = 0.532), and the intervention also had no effect on post-traumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions

A brief psychological intervention, which included psychological first aid and psychoeducation plus cognitive behavioural therapy that can be provided by non-specialist doctors appeared to reduce psychiatric symptoms and disability after snakebite envenoming, but not depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Trial Registration

Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry: SLCTR/2011/003