Information needs of patients with melanoma: a nursing challenge.

Evidence continues to suggest that patients with cancer require more information about their disease and its consequences. To evaluate the information needs of patients with advanced melanoma compared to patients with other malignancies, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 221 unselected patients from the oncology department of a dermatologic hospital In Italy. Patients completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and the Need Evaluation Questionnaire, two standardized tools for symptoms and psychosocial needs assessment.

Psychological status of patients with alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata is not painful or life-threatening, but its aesthetic repercussions can lead to profound changes in patients' psychological status and relationships. The psycho-logical status and personality traits of 73 patients and 73 controls were evaluated with the Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2). Analysis of the MMPI-2 profile showed that scores for some scales (i.

Psychological distress and investment in one's appearance in patients with pemphigus.

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic disease not currently curable. Physical involvement and the impact of chronic therapies can lead patients to changes in psychological and relational areas.

Objectives: To provide a measure of psychological distress, dysfunctional investment in one's appearance, and their relationship.

The health impact of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form health survey questionnaire.

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus are rare, potentially life-threatening, autoimmune disorders characterized by antibodies to epidermal adhesion molecules. Clinical characteristics are painful chronic erosions of mucous membranes and of the skin. There are only few published studies on the impact of the disease on the health status (HS) of patients with these conditions.

Mental health in patients with systemic sclerosis: a controlled investigation.

Background: Despite the undeniable impact of systemic sclerosis (SS) on quality of life, only a few studies so far have focused on its psychiatric or psychological aspects. We aimed at assessing psychiatric symptoms and self-image in inpatients with SS and comparing them with patients with either a very mild skin condition or a serious skin condition.

Methods: Three groups were recruited: (i) 38 consecutive female inpatients with SS; (ii) 38 age-matched female outpatients with melanocytic naevi; (iii) 35 age-matched female inpatients with melanoma.

Psoriasis, stress and psychiatry: psychodynamic characteristics of stressors.

The aim of this investigation was to learn how a stressful event, often very mild, can determine a relapse of psoriasis. The research was carried out with clinical interviews and with the administration of Rorschach Psychoreactive, MMPI and H-T-P tests to 80 in-patients. Our data revealed a high prevalence of psychic disorders: 71.

Characteristics and possible significance of the answers to Rorschach from patients suffering from psoriasis.

The authors have tried to ascertain the statistical significance of the differences between the answers to H. Rorschach Psychodiagnostic tests given to 80 male and female adult patients, suffering from psoriasis and by 'normal' patients. The absolute frequencies and the averages of the results concerning 55 items obtained through the administration of Rorschach to patients with psoriasis were compared with the results of the test made to the general population.