Acceptance Of Illness In Patients Research Articles

Levels of adherence to treatment, illness perception and acceptance of illness in patients with coronary artery disease - descriptive and correlational study

BackgroundUnderstanding the disease and its acceptance significantly influence adherence to prescribed medications, a critical aspect in managing coronary artery disease (CAD). This study is designed to explore the multifaceted factors influencing medication adherence specifically in CAD patients. Of particular interest is investigating the interconnectedness between medication adherence, the perception of illness, and the level of acceptance of the illness itself among these individuals.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 280 confirmed CAD patients who were selected through a convenience sampling method adhering to predefined inclusion criteria. The study was conducted between March and September 2023. Three primary parameters—medication adherence, illness perception, and acceptance of illness—were evaluated using standardized tools: The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8, Illness Perception Questionnaire-Brief, and Acceptance of Illness Scale. Statistical analyses using SPSS (version 25) were used to analyze the data.ResultsPatients had moderate illness perception (51.82 ± 7.58) and low acceptance to illness (16.98 ± 4.75), and 61.8 of them adhered to their medication regimen. A positive relationship between acceptance of illness and medication adherence (r = 0.435, p-value < 0.01) was found. Level of education, type of drug and marital status had significantly impact on medication adherence, and gender, level of education, intention to stop drug and marital status were associated with acceptance of illness (p < 0.05).ConclusionThese results underscore the pivotal role of medication adherence in CAD management. Future interventions should target improving illness perception and acceptance of illness among CAD patients to enhance their overall adherence to prescribed medications and ultimately improve disease management.

Assessment and acceptance of cancer in prostate cancer patients

Background: Malignant prostate cancer is associated with many negative psychological consequences in patients. Therefore, it is reasonable to explore intensity of the acceptance of cancer and the factors that determine its level. This study aims to determine which types of the appraisal of illness predict the acceptance of illness and to what extent. Patients and methods: This study was conducted in a group of forty-five prostate cancer inpatients for radiotherapy. The following tools measuring the appraisal of illness and acceptance of illness were used: the Disease-Related Appraisals Scale (DRAS) by Janowski, Steuden, Kurylowicz and Nieśpiałowska- Steuden, and the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) by Janowski and Steuden. Results: Higher levels of satisfaction with life despite the disease were associated with a lower level of appraisal of illness as an obstacle/loss, a lower sense of harm and a greater tendency to interpret illness as a value. Reconcilement with the disease was negatively associated with the appraisal of illness as a threat and obstacle/loss. Self-distancing from the disease was negatively associated with the appraisal of illness as a threat and significant situation. The overall acceptance of illness score was negatively associated with the appraisal of illness as a threat and significant situation. Conclusions: The appraisal of illness as a challenge and obstacle/loss was the most common predictor of the acceptance of illness in prostate cancer patients. A greater level of appraisal of illness as a challenge contributes to a greater level of acceptance of illness in patients. A lower level of appraisal of illness as an obstacle/loss contributes to a greater level of acceptance of illness in prostate cancer patients.

Assessment of the degree of illness acceptance in patients diagnosed with hepatitis C.

In Poland, approximately 730,000 people are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Acceptance of a chronic illness may positively motivate patients in the process of treatment. The higher the degree of illness acceptance, the lower the feeling of psychological discomfort and a lower intensity of negative emotions. The aim of the study was assessment of illness acceptance among patients with chronic hepatitis C, and determination of the level of the relationship between social and demographic variables, and the degree of illness acceptance. The study included 220 patients with a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C. The research method was a diagnostic survey, while the instruments used were the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and an author-constructed questionnaire. Respondents most frequently accepted their illness to the mean degree (30 scores), and a low category or even the lack of acceptance (<20 scores) of respondents. Urban inhabitants significantly more often accepted their illness to a high degree, compared to rural inhabitants. Disability pensioners and retired pensioners significantly more frequently accepted their disease in the category - low degree. The remaining independent variables: gender, age, education, marital status, number of years of illness, had no significant effect on the degree of acceptance of hepatitis C. The majority of patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C accept their illness to the mean degree. Patients with hepatitis C should be covered with psychological assistance in order to change the way of perception and evaluation of their health situation in more positive terms.

Emotional control and illness acceptance in patients with multiple sclerosis – preliminary findings

Aim of the study: Mental disorders occur in about 75% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Examination of the mental state of patients with multiple sclerosis is important for assessing the course of the disease and undertaking appropriate therapeutic interventions. The aim of the study was to assess emotional control and disease acceptance in multiple sclerosis. Methods: 66 people were qualified for the study, including 34 patients with multiple sclerosis and 32 age- and sex-matched controls. Emotional control was assessed using the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS), and disease acceptance was evaluated using The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). Additionally, a proprietary questionnaire was used to assess auto and allopsychic orientation and to collect demographic data. Results: Stronger suppression of depression and a lower level of disease acceptance were found in the group of patients with multiple sclerosis compared to patients suffering from neurological diseases without organic brain damage. Additionally, patients with multiple sclerosis with higher education achieved results suggesting a higher level of suppression of emotions and suppression of depression than education-matched controls. Patients with multiple sclerosis with secondary and higher education scored significantly higher, which means worse illness acceptance, than those with primary education. Conclusions: Due to the association of emotional suppression with the development of chronic diseases and the level of disease acceptance with adaptation to a chronic health condition, it is recommended to periodically assess these correlates as part of standard psychological examination in patients with multiple sclerosis.

What affects the acceptance of illness in patients with atrial fibrillation?

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have symptoms that require advanced treatment. The most common include palpitations, dyspnea, dizziness, tiredness, chest pain and anxiety. Both the symptoms and treatment and its complications adversely affect the perception of the disease among patients with AF. The research proves that acceptance of illness (AIS) is a factor positively influencing the quality of life, but also the adaptation to the therapeutic recommendations of patients with chronic diseases. There is little research on factors increasing the level of AIS among patients with AF. The aim of the study is to determine the level of acceptance of illness in patients with AF and factors influencing the level of acceptance of illness. Material and methods. 84 patients (including 51 men) aged 57.86 ± 17.72 years hospitalized in the cardiology department due to heart rhythm disorders. Standardized tools were used in the study: Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) to assess disease acceptance and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess physical activity. Sociodemographic and clinical data were taken from the hospital register. Results. In the study group the average result of acceptance of illness (AIS) was 27.67 ± 7.70. 48.8% of patients had a high degree of disease acceptance, 38.09% average, and 13.11% had no acceptance. The examined patients showed a lack of physical activity (IPAQ = 0.92 ± 0.40). In comparative analyses women had lower level of AIS than men (27.36 ± 7.37 vs. 27.86 ± 7.97; p = 0.01), patients more often hospitalized due to AF lower than patients less frequently hospitalized (26.30 ± 6.11 vs. 30.55 ± 8.55; p = 0.02). Lower level of AIS was observed in patients with comorbidities (34 ± 6.25 vs. 22 ± 6.66; p &amp;lt; 0.001). Smokers had higher level of AIS than non-smokers (28.66 ± 6.65 vs. 27.00 ± 7.56; p = 0.02), similarly, physically active persons than inactive ones (26.48 ± 8.27 vs. 23.07 ± 10.58; p = 0.01). In correlation analysis, physical activity turned out to be an important determinant having a positive effect on the level of AIS (r = 0.220; p = 0.03). Conclusions. Patients with AF have moderate level of acceptance of illness and low level of physical activity. A higher level of AIS is observed in men, without comorbidities, less frequently hospitalized and smokers. The important determinant having positive influence on AIS is physical activity.

Factors determining acceptance of illness in patients with arterial hypertension and comorbidities.

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases. The need to undergo indefinite treatment combined with the risk of complications affecting the cardiovascular system impose significant psychological and somatic burden on the patient. Arterial hypertension (AH) is rarely an isolated disease and the most commonly observed comorbidities include metabolic disorders as well as clinically apparent complications associated with polypharmacy, which increases the risk of drug‑induced adverse events. The aim of the study was to determine factors that have an impact on illness acceptance in patients with AH. The study included 532 patients diagnosed with AH. A standardized Acceptance of Illness Scale questionnaire and a questionnaire prepared by the authors were used. The Acceptance of Illness Scale allows to classify the illness acceptance as high (30-40 points), average (19-29 points), or low (8-18 points). A high level of illness acceptance was noted in 45% of participants and an average level in 46%. Patients with different levels of illness acceptance showed disparities in: duration of AH, number of cardiovascular and all diseases, frequency of mental disorders, and number of drugs taken. The number of cardiovascular diseases was significantly lower in patients with high levels of illness acceptance than in those with poor acceptance. Disease duration in patients with a high level of illness acceptance was significantly shorter than in patients with average acceptance. The level of illness acceptance is correlated with disease duration, number of diseases, and number of medications taken.

Concept Analysis of Illness Acceptance in Chronic Disease: Application of Hybrid Model Method

Purpose: This study was done clarify the concept of illness acceptance in patients with chronic disease.Methods: This study was conducted using a hybrid model of concept analysis that consists of three phases. In the theoretical phase, a working definition was formulated through a systematic review. In the fieldwork phase, five participants who had diabetes or hypertension for at least one year were interviewed. In the third phase, the results were combined in the final analysis.Results: There are three phases of accepting an illness: experiencing the limits, disease management, and designing new life. At the experience of the limits and disease management stages, the attributes of physical, psychological and social domains were derived, but at the stage of designing their new life, integrated attributes of these three domains were derived.Conclusion: Illness acceptance of chronic disease was defined as a continuous and dynamic process in three phases. First, patients experience limitations due to the disease, such as physical illness, psychological instability, and difficulty performing social roles. Second, patients manage the disease by engaging in self-management, psychological coping strategies, and establishing social support. Third, patients design their new life by seeking better health-related quality of life and integrating the illness into their everyday life. However, patients experienced negative changes when disease management was not performed properly. The fact that illness acceptance could be cyclic means the difference between illness and loss/death acceptance. Nurse should develop and provide an integrated nursing intervention that is appropriate for phases of illness acceptance.

Analysis of the Degree of Acceptance of Illness Among Patients After a Stroke: An Observational Study.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to analyse the level of illness and disability acceptance in stroke patients undergoing regular rehabilitation at two time points, before rehabilitation and after 3 weeks, and to answer the following questions: What is the functional and emotional status of stroke patients, characterized by a lower and higher level of illness acceptance before and after the 3-week rehabilitation period? What factors, including clinical, sociodemographic, functional and emotional, are associated with the degree of illness acceptance in patients who have suffered a first stroke?Sample and MethodsThe study included 64 patients after first stroke, aged 50–87 years. The following tests were used: Acceptance of Illness Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Rivermead Mobility Index and Barthel Index. Tests were conducted at two time points, the first before rehabilitation and the second after 3 weeks of regular rehabilitation.ResultsThe study group had an average level of acceptance of their illness and disability, both before and after 3 weeks of rehabilitation. After rehabilitation process, statistically significant improvements were achieved in acceptance of illness, mood disorders, functional status, mobility and locomotion. Low levels of illness acceptance were observed in stroke patients with a poorer functional condition, with mood disorders, with primary and vocational education.ConclusionThe results suggest that the level of illness acceptance may be an important factor in the rehabilitation of stroke patients; however, further studies are necessary.

Relationship between Spirituality and Acceptance of Illness Level in Bipolar Patients

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental condition that affects patients’ quality of life. The management process is affected by acceptance of illness. The ability to accept the illness is related to the spirituality level which is something that is held strongly by Indonesian people. There has been very little research related to the relationship between spirituality with bipolar disorder. This study aimed to analyze relationship between spirituality levels with acceptance of illness in patients with bipolar disorder. This study is a correlational study using questionnaire from bipolar disorder patients contacted through Harmony in Diversity online community as a sample. Samples were taken in total sampling according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The numbers of samples were 30 samples. Calculation of the correlation between acceptance of illness in patients with bipolar disorder with vertical spirituality (RWB) (p = 0.050) (r = 0.306), horizontal spirituality (EWB) (p = 0.001) (r = 0.556), and general spirituality (SWB) (p = 0.007) (r = 0.444). There is a significant positive correlation between acceptance of illness in patients with bipolar disorder and general spirituality with a more significant horizontal dimension compared to vertical dimension.

Evaluation of the relationship among foot wound risk, foot self-care behaviors, and illness acceptance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AimsDue to insufficient data in primary care, this study was designed to assess the influence of patient’s foot self-care behaviors and illness acceptance on the risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). MethodsThis is a descriptive study with a clinical assessment element. Data were collected using a number of validated psychometric questionnaires that assess the participant’s foot self care behavior, acceptance of Illness, symptoms and neuropathy. The study included 246 patients diagnosed with type 2 DM attending a designated family health center in Konya, Turkey. ResultsIn the present study, there was a significant difference between DFSBS scores and gender and whether the patients resided in urban or rural areas (p < 0.05). A significant difference between AIS score and gender, educational status, social security, place of residence, and economic status of the participants was observed (p < 0.05). According to the results of regression analysis, gender, frequency of physician control visit (monthly), and foot care training predicted the DFSBS score, whereas gender, education, economic status, presence of other non-infectious diseases, hospitalization in the previous year, and OTNS results predicted the AIS score. Furthermore, the AIS and OTNS scores predicted the MNSI-Q score. ConclusionsIn the family health centers, individuals who are at risk must be initially identified and efforts should be made to prevent complications and increase illness acceptance.

Acceptance of illness mediate the effects of health literacy on self-management behaviour.

Self-management is crucial for blood pressure control and subsequent disease prevention. Health literacy and acceptance of illness may contribute to self-management behaviour; in addition, acceptance of illness may mediate the effects of health literacy on self-management behaviour among patients with hypertension. The aims of the research were to examine whether health literacy and acceptance of illness were associated with both pharmacological and non-pharmacological management behaviour and examine the possible mediating effects of the acceptance of illness in patients with hypertension. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to analyse the relationships between health literacy, acceptance of illness, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management behaviours. Mediation effects were examined by the PROCESS macro. This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 478 hypertensive patients completed measures of health literacy, acceptance of illness, self-management, social support, depression, physical function and demographic and clinical characteristics. Functional, communicative, critical health literacy and acceptance of illness showed positive associations to pharmacological and non-pharmacological management behaviour. Acceptance of illness mediated the relationships between three types of health literacy, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management but the effects size and pathway differed. In detail, functional health literacy influenced pharmacological and non-pharmacological management behaviour mainly by indirect effects mediated by the acceptance of illness, but communicative and critical health literacy influenced pharmacological and non-pharmacological management behaviour mainly by direct effects. Acceptance of illness mediated the relationships between three types of health literacy and self-management. Health literacy and acceptance of illness should be addressed when taking measures to improve patients' self-management behaviour.

Pain Perception and Acceptance of Illness in Patients Undergoing Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery under Drip Anesthesia.

For many years, cataracts have been the main cause of vision loss and vision impairments in the world (43% and 33%, respectively). Currently, the most common surgical method for treating cataracts is phacoemulsification. The aim of this study was to assess the pain perception and acceptance of illness connected with awaiting phacoemulsification cataract surgery under intravenous drip anesthesia, as well as to determine the effect of selected sociodemographic factors on the above. Methods: The study was conducted in a group of patients of the Department of Ophthalmology, University Clinical Hospital in Białystok, Poland suffering from cataracts, who underwent phacoemulsification surgery under intravenous drip anesthesia. The study group consisted of 151 people. The study used an original short questionnaire and three standardized psychometric scales: The acceptance of illness scale (AIS), the Beliefs about Pain Control Questionnaire (BPCQ), and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). Results: The median overall AIS point value was 24 points, which is considered an average score in terms of disease acceptance. Respondents assessed the influence of individual factors on the level of perceived pain and the impact of individual strategies for coping with pain similarly. The level of perceived pain decreased with the patient’s age. People with a higher education level experienced a greater level of pain; however, this relationship was not statistically significant. The place of residence did not affect the level of pain experienced during the procedure. Women had a greater level of acceptance of illness. The respondents’ education level negligibly differentiated the approach to the disease. The place of residence also did not affect the assessment of illness acceptance as measured by the AIS. Whether the surgery pertained to the first or second eye did not significantly affect the approach to the disease. Conclusions: The level of acceptance of illness and pain perception were at a moderate level among the patients. The acceptance of illness was significantly influenced by the age of patients and the waiting period for phacoemulsification, and this level of acceptance decreased significantly with the increasing age of patients. The longer the waiting period for surgery, the lower the acceptance of illness. Sex significantly differentiated the level of pain experienced during the procedure. Education and place of residence did not significantly affect the acceptance of illness and the feeling of pain.

Acceptance of illness in patients with incurable diseases a qualitative study

Acceptance of illness in patients with incurable diseases a qualitative study

The analysis of health behaviours and illness acceptance in patients with diabetes

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Starczewska M, Kujawska R, Stanisławska M, Rybicka A, Grochans E. The analysis of health behaviours and illness acceptance in patients with diabetes. Family Medicine & Primary Care Review. 2018;20(4):352-355. doi:10.5114/fmpcr.2018.79347. APA Starczewska, M., Kujawska, R., Stanisławska, M., Rybicka, A., & Grochans, E. (2018). The analysis of health behaviours and illness acceptance in patients with diabetes. Family Medicine & Primary Care Review, 20(4), 352-355. https://doi.org/10.5114/fmpcr.2018.79347 Chicago Starczewska, Małgorzata, Renata Kujawska, Marzanna Stanisławska, Anita Rybicka, and Elżbieta Grochans. 2018. "The analysis of health behaviours and illness acceptance in patients with diabetes". Family Medicine & Primary Care Review 20 (4): 352-355. doi:10.5114/fmpcr.2018.79347. Harvard Starczewska, M., Kujawska, R., Stanisławska, M., Rybicka, A., and Grochans, E. (2018). The analysis of health behaviours and illness acceptance in patients with diabetes. Family Medicine & Primary Care Review, 20(4), pp.352-355. https://doi.org/10.5114/fmpcr.2018.79347 MLA Starczewska, Małgorzata et al. "The analysis of health behaviours and illness acceptance in patients with diabetes." Family Medicine & Primary Care Review, vol. 20, no. 4, 2018, pp. 352-355. doi:10.5114/fmpcr.2018.79347. Vancouver Starczewska M, Kujawska R, Stanisławska M, Rybicka A, Grochans E. The analysis of health behaviours and illness acceptance in patients with diabetes. Family Medicine & Primary Care Review. 2018;20(4):352-355. doi:10.5114/fmpcr.2018.79347.

Adaptation to illness in relation to pain perceived by patients after surgery.

BackgroundPain is one of the factors that decrease quality of life. Undergoing surgery is inevitably associated with the sensation of pain, which can affect a patient’s level of acceptance of an illness. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of acceptance of illness in patients undergoing surgical treatment with relation to the pain perceived by them during surgical treatment and to determine other factors that affect adaptation to illness among patients subjected to invasive treatment.Material and methodsThe study was conducted on a group of 100 patients with mean age of 51.27 (SD=18.98) hospitalized in surgery departments in the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, Poland, in April 2016. The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain were used.ResultsThe mean score of VAS was 3.86 (SD =2.02). The mean score of AIS was 24.42 (SD =7.35). The level of acceptance of illness was significantly negatively correlated with the intensity of pain (p<0.001; r=−0.498), the number of coexisting diseases (p=0.002; r=−0.31), age (p<0.001; r=−0.391), and the period of time since the operation (p=0.007; r=−0.266). Patients taking analgesics showed a significantly lower acceptance of illness than those who did not (p=0.009). A patient’s place of living, education, and sex had no significant impact on their acceptance of illness.ConclusionA higher level of pain translates into a lower adaptation to illness despite the use of analgesics, which may indicate that inadequate pain control leads to a decrease in the acceptance of illness. Further research on monitoring postoperative pain, as well as the development of postoperative prevention programs, is required.

Acceptance of disease and lifestyle modification after diagnosis among young adults with epilepsy.

AimAssessment of factors affecting the degree of illness acceptance in patients with epilepsy and determination of whether the diagnosis of epilepsy influenced the functioning of this population group.Materials and methodsThe Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and authors’ own questionnaire were used in this study. The study included 264 patients with epilepsy aged 20–40 years. The study was carried out during the period from June 2015 to June 2016. Participants were recruited through multiple channels, including online websites, a forum for people suffering from epilepsy, and from a neurological outpatient clinic in Warsaw.ResultsThe mean value for overall rates of illness acceptance for all patients was 25.05±5.23, which indicated a mean level of illness acceptance of the patients. A significant correlation was observed between the results on AIS and the marital status of patients (P=0.04541). However, statistical analysis did not support the significant association between the illness acceptance and other socio-demographic factors and clinical aspects (P>0.05 in all cases). An analysis of the correlation between the level of illness acceptance and taking life decisions by the patients showed that the only statistically significant difference was the influence of an illness on the decision about marriage (P=0.032383).ConclusionThe problem of illness acceptance is often addressed in scientific research. It seems to be difficult to attain the state of full illness acceptance, especially in a situation when a number of changes have to be made in a patient’s current life and everyday functioning. It can be argued that illness acceptance has a positive meaning because it entails benefits resulting from better mental and physical comfort of a patient. The time needed for the attainment of full illness acceptance is individual for every patient and also depends on many factors.

The assessment of the impact of socio-economic factors in accepting cancer using the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS).

Aim of the studyThe paper presents the results of examining the level of acceptance of the illness in cancer patients using the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS).Material and methodsThe study involved cancer patients treated at the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry the Interior in Warsaw in 2014. The questionnaire comprised basic demographic questions (socio-economic factors) and the AIS test estimating the level of illness acceptance in patients.ResultsFor the group of patients in the research group, the arithmetic mean amounted to 27.56 points. The period of time that elapsed between the first cancer diagnosis and the start of the study did not influence the score of accepting illness. The acceptance of illness in patients diagnosed with metastases differed from the acceptance of illness by patients diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Females obtained the average of 29.59 in the AIS test, whereas the average in male patients was 26.17. The patients’ age did not impact the AIS test. There were no differences in the AIS test results between a group of people with secondary education and a group of people with higher education. There were no differences in the AIS test results between employed individuals versus pensioners. The inhabitants of cities were characterized by the highest degree of acceptance of their health condition. The lowest degree of acceptance of illness was observed in the group with the lowest average incomes. In the group of married individuals the average degree of acceptance of illness amounted to 27.37 points. The average degree of acceptance of illness in patients that declared themselves as single amounted to 25.75.ConclusionsThe average degree of acceptance of illness in the study group was 27.56 points, which is a relatively high level of acceptance of cancer. The main socio-economic factor, which influenced the AIS test results was whether metastases were diagnosed or not. There were no differences between patients in groups where the time that elapsed from the first diagnosis of cancer varied. There were no statistical differences between female and male patients as well as patients of different age. Additionally, the level of education and patients’ professional status did not impact in the AIS test results.

Socioeconomic Indicators Shaping Quality of Life and Illness Acceptance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Quality of life (QoL) combined with the acceptance of illness reflects the efficiency of therapy and the level of patients' satisfaction with medical care. Education, marital status, and place of residence were used as the socio-economic status indicators. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the levels of QoL and acceptance of illness (AI) and the socio-demographic data in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study involved 264 adult COPD patients. The average duration of COPD was 9years (Q1-Q3: 3.0-12.0). The duration of the disease was significantly shorter in patients from rural areas. QoL correlated positively with AI (r = 0.69, p < 0.0001). The general QoL and AI were most strongly influenced by education, gender, and age. Education is a strong predictor of QoL and AI, and the latter correlate with the socioeconomic status of COPD patients. It is recommended that COPD patients with a low level of education have regular medical check-ups and are included in the preventive programs by general practitioners to improve their somatic status and QoL level.

Time perception and illness acceptance among remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis patients under treatment.

The aim of the study was to determine temporal orientation in patients diagnosed with RR-MS as compared with that of healthy individuals; to analyse self-evaluated acceptance levels in terms of physical and psychological condition and self-reliance; an attempt to identify factors of illness acceptance in patients with RR-MS including temporal perspective. Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS, adapted into Polish by Z. Juczyński), Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI, adapted into Polish by M. Mażewski), and original interview aimed to assess socio-demographic data and self-evaluated physical as well as psychological condition and self-reliance of patients with MS (referred to the neurological testing according to the EDSS). Patients with RR-MS focus on fatalistic and hedonistic present more than healthy individuals. They also tend to reflect on their negative past experience. Acceptance of illness correlated positively with subjective assessment of physical and psychological condition as well as self-reliance, and negatively with objective disability score (measured with the use of EDSS) and a factor considering time of disease duration. Avoiding contemplation of negative past and concentrating on hedonistic future constitute significant predictors of illness acceptance. These results may be of importance in terms of holistic approach to treatment of RR-MS patients. In the initial stage of the disease progression, patients might benefit from psychological support due to change in temporal orientation.

Does health status influence acceptance of illness in patients with chronic respiratory diseases?

The level of illness acceptance correlates positively with compliance to the doctor's recommendations, and negatively with the frequency and intensity of complications of chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the clinical condition on the level of illness acceptance, and to find variables which would have the most profound effect on the level of illness acceptance in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The study group consisted of 594 adult patients (mean age: 60 ± 15 years) with mixed chronic respiratory diseases, recruited from patients of 136 general practitioners. The average score in the Acceptance of Illness Scale was 26.2 ± 7.6. The low level of illness acceptance was noted in 174 (62.6 %) and high in 46 (16.6 %) patients. Analysis of multiple regressions was used to examine the influence of explanatory variables on the level of illness acceptance. The variables which shaped the level of illness acceptance in our patients included: improvement of health, intensity of symptoms, age, marital status, education level, place of residence, BMI, and the number of chronic diseases. All above mentioned variables should be considered during a design of prevention programs for patients with mixed chronic respiratory diseases.