Psychological distress in patients with CMT

[Guest guest]

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2009 Jan 30. [Epub ahead of print]

Psychological distress in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Vinci P, Gargiulo P, Panunzi M, Baldini L.

Italian Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Association Rehabilitation Service,

Rome, Italy

AIM: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a genetic neuropathy that

causes variable degrees of gait and handgrip impairment, and reduces

quality of life. The large majority of CMT patients are moderately

affected and lead almost a normal life despite facing numerous

difficulties and physical and psychological suffering. This study is

aimed at investigating the possible presence of psychological

distress in this population.

METHODS: Fifty-three patients (F=30, M=23; age: 16-64 years; disease

duration: 1-53 years), with variable gait and handgrip impairments

but still able to ambulate independently, referred to a specialized

rehabilitation service, and 53 sex and age matched controls were

administered with the Kellner's Symptom Questionnaire Italian

validated version.

RESULTS: The mean scores of patients, both as a whole and as divided

in groups according to sex, age and lower limb impairment severity,

did not differ significantly from those of controls (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CMT are able to cope with the problems

caused by their disease without developing more psychological

distress than unaffected subjects, probably as the result of a

comprehensive adaptation, favoured by the long disease duration,

relative mildness of symptoms, good cognitive functioning and

availability of rehabilitative resources.

[Guest guest]

Very useful. I agree, there are a lot of other things in life worse than CMT.

Life goes on and we have to make the best out of each day.

[Guest guest]

This is a very poorly structured study.

Worth = ZERO

>

> Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2009 Jan 30. [Epub ahead of print]

>

> Psychological distress in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

>

> Vinci P, Gargiulo P, Panunzi M, Baldini L.

>

> Italian Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Association Rehabilitation Service,

> Rome, Italy

>

> AIM: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a genetic neuropathy that

> causes variable degrees of gait and handgrip impairment, and reduces

> quality of life. The large majority of CMT patients are moderately

> affected and lead almost a normal life despite facing numerous

> difficulties and physical and psychological suffering. This study is

> aimed at investigating the possible presence of psychological

> distress in this population.

>

> METHODS: Fifty-three patients (F=30, M=23; age: 16-64 years; disease

> duration: 1-53 years), with variable gait and handgrip impairments

> but still able to ambulate independently, referred to a specialized

> rehabilitation service, and 53 sex and age matched controls were

> administered with the Kellner's Symptom Questionnaire Italian

> validated version.

>

> RESULTS: The mean scores of patients, both as a whole and as divided

> in groups according to sex, age and lower limb impairment severity,

> did not differ significantly from those of controls (P>0.05).

>

> CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CMT are able to cope with the problems

> caused by their disease without developing more psychological

> distress than unaffected subjects, probably as the result of a

> comprehensive adaptation, favoured by the long disease duration,

> relative mildness of symptoms, good cognitive functioning and

> availability of rehabilitative resources.

>

[Guest guest]

Augold,

Did you read both the abstract and the entire study? (in our Files) I'd

like to know why you think this. I'm sure the author would too.

>

> This is a very poorly structured study.

>

> Worth = ZERO

>

[Guest guest]

I just read what you posted here. I don't have the time, or energy, to go

double-looking.

The N is already small, but once it's divided up into multiple sub-Ns, the value

of N - in my opinion - becomes questionable.

The 'mildness' of symptoms also keys me in, that this is not a comprehensive CMT

study.

The conclusion may be valid, but it's the process that I'm questioning.

Besides, who in the hell can have any stress in Italy?! lol ;-)