Evaluation of a Mail-Delivered, Print-Format, Self-Management Program for Persons With Systemic Sclerosis.

Evaluation of a mail-delivered, print-format, self-management program for persons with systemic sclerosis.

Clin Rheumatol. 2013 May 9;
Poole JL, Skipper B, Mendelson C

Patient self-management programs usually require participants to attend group sessions, which can be difficult for individuals with mobility issues. In addition, many programs are not disease specific. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mail-delivered self-management program for individuals with scleroderma (SSc). The program consisted of a workbook and exercise DVD that provided information on medical aspects of the disease, dysphagia, fatigue management, advocacy, activities of daily living, oral hygiene, skin and wound care, psychosocial changes, exercises, and other features of the condition. Participants provided feedback on the effects of the self-management program by responding to questions on demographic and six self-report questionnaires, keeping a health log, and participating in a program evaluation interview. A total of 49 participants completed the program and returned the postintervention questionnaires. Participants consistently reported that the program was easy to use. Depression, fatigue, and pain decreased, and hand function, self-efficacy for controlling pain, and self-efficacy “other” improved; however, the only statistically significant change was in self-efficacy for pain. This is the first study to develop and assess the effects of a mail-delivered format for self-management for people with SSc. A self-management program should help individuals with SSc develop self-management strategies to manage this complex disease and advocate for themselves to promote better health. HubMed – depression

 

Kidney disease and cognitive function.

Contrib Nephrol. 2013; 179: 42-57
Elias MF, Dore GA, Davey A

We provide a brief review of research on chronic kidney disease and cognitive performance, including dementia. We touch briefly on the literature relating end-stage-renal disease to cognitive function, but focus on studies of modest and moderate forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that precede dialysis and transplantation. We summarize previous reviews dealing with case control studies of patients but more fully examine community-based studies with large samples and necessary controls for demographic risk factors, cardiovascular variables, and other confounds such as depression. In addition we suggest potential biological and social-psychological mediators between CKD and cognition. Studies follow in two categories of design: (1) cross-sectional studies, and (2) longitudinal studies. In each, CKD is related to a wide range of deficits in cognitive functioning including verbal and visual memory and organization, and components of executive functioning and fluid intellect. In general, prior to the need to treat with hemodialysis (HD) or kidney transplant (KT), magnitude of effect with relation to CKD and function are small or modest in persons free from acute stroke and dementia. However, HD and KT can result in major impairment. We discuss needed controls, the greater demand on controls after the start of HD and KT, and suggest that mechanisms intervening relations between hypertension, or diabetes, and cognitive performance may be similar to those intervening between hypertension and cognitive performance and the hypertension and diabetes literature on cognition provides a good model for the study of early stage kidney disease and cognitive ability. We posit that the mechanisms linking CKD and cognition may be similar to those linking hypertension or diabetes to cognition. We identify the need for more studies with multiple cognitive test batteries, measures of every-day cognitive abilities relevant to patient understanding of the disease and treatments, and more studies with prevalent and incident dementia outcomes. Descriptors: kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, cognitive function, dementia and cardiovascular risk factors. HubMed – depression

 

Fatigue and occupational functioning in major depressive disorder.

Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2013 May 7;
Lam RW, Malhi GS, McIntyre RS, Demyttenaere K, Gorwood P, Michalak EE, Hegerl U

HubMed – depression