Congestive heart failure patients report conflict with their physicians.

Background: Given the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, we examined the prevalence and nature of patients' perceived conflicts with the physicians caring for their congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods And Results: This cross-sectional study recruited patients with CHF in the outpatient and inpatient service of a tertiary referral hospital. Patients completed demographics, semistructured interviews, and surveys of emotional and health status.

Mental and physical symptoms associated with lower social support for patients with hepatitis C.

Aim: To systematically examine the impact of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis on patients' level of social support in a large-scale study.

Methods: Patients evaluated and treated for HCV in a tertiary referral center were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Demographic data, functional and emotional status as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), severity of liver disease, mode of acquisition, and physical and psychiatric comorbidities were collected from patients or abstracted from the medical record.

Majority of patients with hepatitis C express physical, mental, and social difficulties with antiviral treatment.

Objective: The hepatitis C virus can be successfully treated in up to 60% of infected patients. However, treatment is long and is associated with significant side-effects. We investigated difficulties with this treatment as it is an important factor in patient adherence.