Giessen Subjective Complaints List Research Articles

Burden and satisfaction with social support in families with a history of problematic substance use or dementia – a comparison

BackgroundLiving in a family with a history of problematic substance use or dementia is a major stressful experience for family members and results often in an impaired health condition. Seeking and receiving social support has been emphasized as a major resource while coping with this stress. However, especially family members of people with problematic substance use often refrain from help-seeking. This paper examines whether (1) family members of problematic substance users are more physically and psychologically distressed than caregivers of people with dementia, and (2) whether and to what extent differences are mediated by satisfaction with perceived professional and private social support.MethodsTwo samples of family members of people with a chronic disease (problematic substance use (n = 221), dementia (n = 322)) completed self-administered questionnaires on burden, quality of life and social support. Physical distress was assessed using the Giessen Subjective Complaints List, psychological distress using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and anxiety symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF, and satisfaction with professional and private social support was assessed using a visual analog scale. Multivariate analyses of variance were performed to compare the two groups on the means of (1) burden ratings and (2) QoL dimensions and followed up by discriminant analyses to explore meaningful variables according to group differences. Parallel mediation analyses were performed to test the mediators private and professional support.ResultsFamily members of problematic substance users score higher on the burden indicators, while they score lower with regard to the quality of life dimensions than caregivers of people with dementia. The difference in burden is mainly explained by the higher scores for exhaustion, stomach discomfort and depression of family members of problematic substance users. Caregivers of people with dementia reported greater satisfaction with perceived social support, either private or professional. Satisfaction with private support was shown to be more important in mediating the impact of stress.ConclusionsFamily members of people with problematic substance use are in great need of tailored support programs and should be explicitly targeted.

Взаимосвязь психологического и соматического благополучия у пациентов

Background. Understanding of emotional aspects of painful experiences can significantly expand the therapeutic tools for both doctors and psychologists. Objective. The focus is placed on the study of the relationship between psychological and somatic well-being of patients with pain syndrome. Study Participants. Sample included 119 people: 57 men (average age 47.9 years) and 62 women (average age 46.5 years) from the number of outpatients of the treatment and prevention institution “City Health Center #12” (Minsk). Methods. The study used: the Subjective Well-being Scale, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the Differential Emotion Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Giessen Subjective Complaints List, GBB. Results. The analysis of the correlations of emotional state and somatic complaints has revealed similarities and specificity of subjective experiences of patients in different conditions. The correlation analysis showed a certain relationship between emotional state and well-being, which is closely related to subjective well-being. Conclusion. Subjective well-being of patients is related to psychoemotional state, health and somatic complaints, as well as, to some extent, to the level of alexithymia. Patients' well-being is related to their emotional state and negative emotions. Practical application of the results. Understanding the psychological state of the patient can be useful for developing a personalized approach to treatment and successful rehabilitation through intrapersonal resources.

Diagnostic Utility of the Perceived Occupational Stress Scale

Abstract: The Perceived Occupational Stress (POS) scale has been recently developed to measure workers’ perception of feeling stressed at work. This cross-sectional study aimed to further study the practical applicability of the POS scale by testing its diagnostic utility for identifying workers with severe somatic symptom strain. A sample of 171 Italian workers filled out a survey containing the POS and the short form of the Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-8). The POS scale was strongly associated with the GBB-8 ( r = .70, p < .001; β = .71, p < .001), and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed its excellent diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve, AUC = .83, p < .001), with a POS value of 3.50 being the optimal cut-off for detecting severe somatic symptoms. Overall, the results show that the POS scale is an economic and non-intrusive tool for identifying workers at high risk of severe psychosomatic strain. Limitations of this study include the use of self-report measures and of a convenience sample, which could lead to common method and selection biases. Future research should re-evaluate the predictive usefulness of the POS scale as a predictor of other outcomes of work-related stress such as anxiety and depression, performance, and turnover intentions.

W stronę medycyny psychosomatycznej. Właściwości psychometryczne polskiej wersji Subiektywnej listy dolegliwości Giessen (GBB-8) i rozpowszechnienie symptomów somatycznych wśród dorosłych Polaków

The Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-8) is an 8-item self-report measure of somatic symptoms. Originally developed in German and then validated in English, it was designed for measuring eight of the most frequently assessed somatic complaints in four categories (exhaustion, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular complaints). This study aimed to validate a Polish version of the GBB-8 and to examine the prevalence of somatic complaints in a Polish community sample. Our sample consisted of 846 Polish adults (545 females, 281 males and 20 non-binary) aged 18–77 ( M = 27.42, SD = 12.67). The study was conducted from February to September 2022. The GBB-8’s factor structure was verified with confirmatory factor analysis, whereas convergent and divergent validity were assessed via relationships with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Our results indicated strong factorial validity, conforming to the intended 4-factor model with a second-order factor. The GBB-8 subscales correlated in expected directions with markers of depression and anxiety symptoms. Moreover, the questionnaire showed good discriminant validity against these mental health symptoms. Internal consistency reliability was good for three subscales and the total score and it was satisfactory for the cardiovascular subscale. The test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was good. Overall, the Polish version of the GBB-8 has strong psychometric properties. We also examined the age, gender, and demographic differences. Specific age–gender relationships with somatic complaints were noted. We provided current group norms (sten scale) of somatic symptoms for females and males separately.

Changes in treatment outcomes in patients undergoing an integrated psychosomatic inpatient treatment: Results from a cohort study.

ObjectiveIn Germany, multimodal psychosomatic inpatient treatment can be initiated for patients with substantial mental disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, somatoform disorders) and comorbid physical disease. However, studies investigating changes in psychological and functional treatment outcomes, and predictors of long-term treatment effects in patients undergoing psychosomatic inpatient treatment are needed.MethodsThis cohort study analyzed 160 patients aged ≥18 who were treated on an integrated psychosomatic inpatient unit at the University of Göttingen Medical Center. Its aim was to analyze changes in psychological and functional outcomes, and to identify predictors of long-term improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with comorbid mental and physical illness who were undergoing integrated inpatient psychosomatic treatment. Assessments were completed at admission, discharge, and 12- or 24-month follow-up. Outcomes included physical complaints [Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-24)], psychological symptoms [Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)], and HRQoL [European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D)].ResultsOne-hundred sixty inpatients were included (mean age = 53.1 ± 12.6; 53.8% female). There were significant, medium- to large-sized improvements in psychological symptoms (BSI-Global Severity Index; d = −0.83, p < 0.001), physical symptom burden (d = −0.94, p < 0.001), and HRQoL (d = 0.65, p < 0.001) from admission to discharge, and significant, small- to medium-sized greater improvements in all psychological outcomes from admission to follow-up (BSI-GSI: d = −0.54, p < 0.001; GBB-24 total symptom burden: d = −0.39, p < 0.001; EQ-5D: d = 0.52, p < 0.001). Furthermore, better improvement in HRQoL during hospitalization (partial η2 = 0.386; p < 0.001) was associated with higher HRQoL at follow-up. Finally, intake of antidepressant at discharge was associated with impaired HRQoL at follow-up (η2 = 0.053; p = 0.03).ConclusionThere were significant short- and long-term improvements in psychological symptoms, physical complaints, and HRQoL after treatment on an integrated psychosomatic inpatient unit in patients with mental disorders and a comorbid physical disease.

Military personnel’s stress reactivity during pre-deployment in a war zone

ABSTRACT Many studies have been conducted on the numerous negative post-deployment outcomes for military personnel. However, data on service members’ pre-deployment stress reactivity are absent. This is a serious gap in existing research, as stress has an important regulatory role. This study aimed to determine possible manifestations of military personnel’s stress reactivity during pre-deployment in a war zone in eastern Ukraine. The study involved 270 Ukrainian service members (all male, aged 18 to 58 years). Sample 1 (n = 108) were preparing to be deployed for the first time, sample 2 (n = 84) were preparing to be deployed and had previous experience of deployment, and sample 3 (n = 108) were not preparing to deploy and had no previous deployment experience. We used the Ukrainian adaptation of the Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-24), the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Short Screening Scale for DSM–IV posttraumatic stress disorder and the Combat Exposure Scale (CES). We found that indicators for physical complaints, psychological problems and psychopathological and posttraumatic symptoms among service members from samples 1 and 2 were significantly higher than those of sample 3 in 15 of 18 cases (p < 0.001–0.05). The indicators obtained for sample 2 were higher than those of sample 1 in six of nine cases (p < 0.001–0.05). Both our study hypotheses were confirmed. The present findings can be used to develop efficient psychological interventions for military personnel during pre-deployment in a war zone.

Validity and responsiveness of GHC-index in patients with amalgam-attributed health complaints

Objective Many patients have medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS); some of them attribute their health complaints to dental amalgam fillings. The aim of this study was to assess the validity and responsiveness of General Health Complaints index (GHC-index) for measuring the symptom load in MUPS patients compared to the widely used symptom outcome measure, Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-24). Methods Three outcome measures – GHC-index, GBB-24, and Munich Amalgam Scale (MAS) – were administered at baseline and 12 months after removal of all dental amalgam restorations. The validity and responsiveness of these symptom measures were tested against external anchors: bodily distress syndrome (BDS), SF-36 vitality, and visual analogue scale (VAS). We tested both convergent and known group validities. We also examined the predictive validity and responsiveness to changes for each instrument. Results All the main outcome measures showed evidence of convergent and known group validities. The GHC-index, GBB-24 and MAS were all able to detect the anticipated differences in BDS and Energy. But the GBB-24 was more efficient in discriminating the BDS compared with the GHC-index (relative efficiency: RE = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.41–0.96) and MAS (RE = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.32–0.86). Each main outcome variable revealed good predictive validity for vitality (standardized coefficient: b ≈ 0.71 and R 2 ≈ 0.50). Moderate to high sensitivity to change over time was demonstrated, with GHC-index performing better. Conclusion The GHC-index is a valid and responsive instrument for assessing symptom load in MUPS patients attributing their health complaints to amalgam fillings and undergoing amalgam removal.

GUA-33 - Assessment of health-related quality of life in living kidney donors

The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is frequently applied to assess surgical or other treatment modalities. We evaluated the HRQoL of 57 kidney donors for comparison with 120 age-and sex-matched healthy individuals and 52 patients who underwent nephrectomy due to a renal tumor. The Short Form-36 (SF-36), Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-24), and Zerssen's Mood Scale (Bf-S) questionnaires were used for this purpose. The evaluation procedure was completely anonymous and free of charge for all respondents. The mean scores of various domains calculated for all three questionnaires were compared between the groups. In three of eight SF-36 items--social function, bodily pain, and vitality--donors scored significantly better than the controls and patients. In all five GBB-24 items, donors scored higher than controls and patients. For gastric complaints, the difference was significant. The mood analysis showed significant differences between the groups in favor of donors. The HRQoL of living kidney donors was not different from that of healthy subjects and significantly better than the HRQoL of urologic patients after nephrectomy. Donors should be monitored for both physical and psychosocial outcomes of the procedure. Further prospective studies are needed to facilitate potential donors' understanding of the complex issues related to organ donation.

Neurophysiological changes and chronic pain in cleft patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate if patients after orofacial cleft repair experience neurophysiological changes with consecutive chronic pain states after surgery.Patients (n = 48) with a repaired orofacial cleft (CLP) recruited in a support group took part in a survey including five questionnaires. They revealed pain states, described cleft situation and history, and epidemiological data. Patients' quality of life and psychological comorbidity after the surgical procedures were assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), the Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GSCL) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Furthermore, psychosocial impairment was documented.39 out of 48 subjects with CLP reported to have experienced pain during the last 6 months. Pain was proven to be already chronic for 36 persons. Locations of pain were the orofacial region, back and limbs. Neurophysiological perception to cold, warmth, pressure and touch were found to be inhomogeneous.Local disturbances of subjective sensitivity in hard and soft tissues in the operated region are suspicious for neuropathic disorders and peripheral and central sensitization. 16 participants also reported that during dental interventions higher doses of local analgesia were necessary to achieve a pain free condition. Overall participants with CLP demonstrated elevated levels for anxiety and depression.As a conclusion for daily routine, CLP patients are considered to be at a higher risk to develop chronic pain states. To avoid these, proper pain and psychological management must be performed from early childhood. Further clinical studies examining patients with neurophysiological diagnostic tools are needed.

The association of adverse childhood experiences and of resilience with chronic noncancer pain in the German adult population - A cross-sectional survey.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) might predispose to and resilience might protect against chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). We studied whether ACE are positively associated with CNCP, whether resilience was negatively associated with CNCP and whether resilience buffered a potential association of ACE with CNCP. A cross-sectional survey (N=2,425) representative for the adult German general population was conducted in 2013. The following questionnaires were used: Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire for CNCP stages; Childhood Trauma Screener for ACE; Brief Resilient Coping Scale for resilience; Patient Health Questionnaire 4 for psychological symptom burden; Giessen Subjective Complaints List for somatic symptom burden. To test the association of ACE and resilience with CNCP stages, logistic regression analyses including sociodemographic variables and psychological and somatic symptom burden as possible confounders were calculated. No statistically significant associations between any CNCP and disabling CNCP respectively with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; emotional and physical neglect if compared to no chronic pain were found in uni- and multivariate analyses. There was a small effect of combined ACE and a small attenuating effect of resilience on any and disabling CNCP in univariate, but not in multivariate analysis. Large associations were found between age>65years with any CNCP (OR 6.51 [95% confidence interval 3.38 to 12.51)] and disabling CNCP (OR 9.33 [95% confidence interval 2.39 to 36.41]), respectively, if compared to no pain. There was no pain-proneness by single and combined ACE for and no protection by resilience for any and for disabling CNCP in the general adult German population. There is no pain-proneness due to adverse childhood experiences for any and disabling chronic noncancer pain. Resilience does not protect against any and disabling chronic noncancer pain. Older age is the strongest predictor of any and disabling chronic noncancer pain.

Brief assessment of subjective health complaints: Development, validation and population norms of a brief form of the Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-8)

ObjectiveAlthough there is no causal relationship to medical morbidity, routine clinical assessment of somatic symptoms aids medical diagnosis and assessment of treatment effectiveness. Regardless of their causes, somatic symptoms indicate suffering, distress, and help-seeking behavior. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a brief self-report questionnaire to assess somatic symptom strain. MethodsA brief form of the Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-8) was developed and validated in a large population sample representative of the Federal Republic of Germany (N=2008). Psychometric analyses included confirmation of factor structure, classical item analysis, and measurement invariance tests. The sample furthermore served as a norm group. As indicators of construct validity, correlations with measures of anxiety, depression, alexithymia, and primary care contact were computed. ResultsPsychometric analyses yielded excellent scale properties regarding item characteristics, factor structure, and measurement invariance tests (Cronbach's alpha=0.88; CFI=0.980, TLI=0.965, RMSEA=0.049) for the second-order four-factor model; strict invariance was confirmed for gender, depression status, and physician contacts; strong invariance was confirmed regarding age and age×gender. ConclusionsThe GBB-8 with its four subscales exhaustion, gastrointestinal complaints, musculoskeletal complaints, and cardiovascular complaints proves to be an economic measure of subjective symptom strain. Psychometric analyses deem it suitable for epidemiological research. The availability of norms makes it a potential everyday tool for general practitioners and psychosomatic clinics.

Associations of psychosocial working conditions and working time characteristics with somatic complaints in German resident physicians.

Somatic complaints (SC) are highly prevalent in working populations and cause suffering and extensive health-care utilization. Adverse psychosocial working conditions as conceptualized in the Job Demand-Control-Support Model (JDC-S) and adverse working time characteristics (WTC) are potential risk factors. This combination is particularly common in hospital physicians. This study examines associations of JDC-S and WTC with SC in resident physicians from Germany. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 physicians at the end of residency training. SC were measured using the Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-24) containing the sub-categories exhaustion, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular complaints. Data on working conditions were collected by a self-report method for work analysis in hospitals (TAA-KH-S) and by questions on WTC (i.e., working hours). Multivariable stepwise regression analyses were applied. Workload showed the most pronounced relationship with all sub-categories of SC except gastrointestinal complaints. Job autonomy was not significantly related to any SC sub-category. Social support at work was inversely associated with all SC sub-categories except for cardiovascular complaints. Free weekends were associated with reduced SC except for exhaustion. Shift work was related to an increased SC total score and musculoskeletal complaints. Working hours showed no association with SC. In resident physicians, high workload and shift work are associated with increased SC, while social support at work and free weekends are associated with decreased SC. These insights may inform the development of preventive measures to improve the health of this professional group. Prospective studies are needed though to corroborate our findings.

The comparison of resilience and spirituality in addicted and non-addicted women

Background: Although the focus of scientific studies on the beneficial properties of chocolate with a high cocoa content has increased in recent years, studies determining its importance for regulation, in particular within the context of a controlled dietary measure, have rarely been conducted. Methodology: In a study consisting of several weeks, we divided men and women between the ages of 19-67 into three groups. One group was instructed to keep a low-carb diet and to consume an additional daily serving of 42 grams of chocolate with 81% cocoa content (chocolate group). Another group was instructed to follow the same low-carb diet as the chocolate group, but without the chocolate intervention (low-carb group). In addition, we asked a third group to eat at their own discretion, with unrestricted choice of food. At the beginning of the study, all participants received extensive medical advice and were thoroughly briefed on their respective diet. At the beginning and the end of the study, each participant gave a blood sample. Their weight, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio were determined and noted. In addition to that, we evaluated the Giessen Subjective Complaints List. During the study, participants were encouraged to weigh themselves on a daily basis, assess the quality of their sleep as well as their mental state, and to use urine test strips. Result: Subjects of the chocolate intervention group experienced the easiest and most successful loss. Even though the measurable effect of this diet occurred with a delay, the reduction of this group exceeded the results of the low-carb group by 10% after only three weeks (p = 0.04). While the cycling effect already occurred after a few weeks in the low-carb group, with resulting gain in the last fifth of the observation period, the chocolate group experienced a steady increase in loss. This is confirmed by the evaluation of the ketone reduction. Initially, ketone reduction was much lower in the chocolate group than in the low-carb peer group, but after a few weeks, the situation changed. The low-carb group had a lower ketone reduction than in the previous period, they reduced 145 mg/dl less ketones, whereas the chocolate group had an average reduction of an additional 145mg/dl. Effects were similarly favorable concerning cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and LDL cholesterol levels of the chocolate group. Moreover, the subjects of the chocolate group found a significant improvement in their well-being (physically and mentally). The controlled improvement compared to the results of the low-carb group was highly significant (p <0.001). Conclusion : Consumption of chocolate with a high cocoa content can significantly increase the success of weight-loss diets. The weightloss effect of this diet occurs with a certain delay. Long-term loss, however, seems to occur easier and more successfully by adding chocolate. The effect of the chocolate, the so-called weight loss turbo, seems to go hand in hand with personal well-being, which was significantly higher than in the control groups.

EPA-1734 – Clinical features, personality and cognitive disturbances in patients with “medically unexplained” symptoms

Objectives Somatoform-type disorders or’medically unexplained’ symptoms (MUS) represent variable group of psychopathological syndromes. It is considered that sensory, emotional, cognitive and personality mechanisms play role in the genesis of MUS. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship among personality types, clinical manifestations, and cognitive disturbances that occur in patients with MUS. Material and Methods 106 patients with different MUS were studied with the help of clinical and psychological tests - Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory (MMPI), 16 Personality Factors Questionnaire, Temperament and Character Inventory, Giessen Subjective Complaints List, Patient Health Questionnaire 15-Item Somatic Symptom Severity Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Somatosensory Amplification Scale, Addenbrooke's Gognitive Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery, Dissociation Scale. Results Five types of behavior patterns of patients with MUS were revealed with the help of MMPI profile analysis – schizotypical hypochondria (SH), hysterical hypochondria (HYH),’organic’ hypochondria (OH), depressive hypochondria (DH) and pshychovegetative subdepressive hypochondria (PVH). Patients with HYH, DH, PVH were characterized by alexithymia, high dissociation and amplification. Patients with OH had disturbances of memory and spatial gnosis. SH had high hypochondriac concerns (irrational health believes), subdepressive affect, disturbances of process of conceptualization. Conclusion MUS have complex psychopathological structure, which includes not only quantity of somatic complaints, intensity of hypochondriac concerns, evidence of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Important components of MUS are represented by cognitive style disturbances (alexithymia, dissociation, sensory amplification) and neurocognitive deficit (insufficient spatial gnosis, constructive and conceptualization abilities, memory, dynamic praxis). Different personality and behavior styles evidently integrate this continuum of disturbances in several superordinate somatoform-type syndromes.

Quality of life is less impaired in adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia because of 21-hydroxylase deficiency than in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency

Current replacement regimens fail to restore well-being in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are scarce, inconsistent and largely restricted to women. The objective of the study therefore was to study HRQoL in CAH because of 21-hydroxylase deficiency in comparison with PAI and healthy controls. In a cross-sectional study, 81 German CAH patients from two tertiary care centres (45 women, 36 men; 71 classical, 10 nonclassical, age 18-65 years) completed three validated self-assessment questionnaires [Short Form-36 (SF-36), Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-24), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)]. Results were compared to sex- and age-matched controls from questionnaire-specific German reference cohorts and German PAI patients. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients had impaired HRQoL in three of five GBB-24 scores whereas SF-36 and HADS scores did not differ from controls. PAI patients showed impairment in more dimensions of the applied tests and, in women, significantly worse scores in several dimensions compared to CAH patients (physical functioning, vitality, social functioning, mental health dimensions of the SF-36, P<0·05 and HADS anxiety score, P<0·05). HRQoL in CAH is only mildly impaired and significantly less than in PAI patients. Differences between PAI and CAH in HRQoL suggest relevant modulating factors of HRQoL other than hormone replacement therapy itself.

Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Renal Transplant Recipients and Dialysis Patients

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is becoming an important outcome measure in evaluation of various forms of renal replacement therapy (RRT). The Short Form-36 (SF-36), Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-24), and Zerssen's Mood Scale (Bf-S) are internationally validated questionnaires for the assessment of HRQoL. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the HRQoL of renal transplant recipients and compare it with that of patients on different forms of RRT. The study population consisted of: (1) 120 patients on hemodialysis (HD); (2) 43 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD); (3) nine recipients who lost their grafts and went back to dialysis; (4) 120 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (controls); and (5) 48 renal transplant recipients. The mean SF-36 scores were not significantly different between control group and transplant recipients as well as HD and PD patients including previously transplanted patients. The dialysis patients scored significantly worse in all eight SF-36 domains compared with transplant recipients and healthy subjects. In all GBB-24 components, the transplant recipients scored significantly higher than HD and PD patients. In the “fatigue tendency,” “limb pain,” and “cardiac complaints” components, recipients scored significantly higher than control group subjects. The mood analysis (Bf-S) showed that the scores of transplant recipients and controls did not differ, being significantly higher than those of dialysis patients. The HRQoL of patients on HD and PD were similar and lower than that of the general population. Renal transplantation significantly improved HRQoL at least to the level of healthy individuals. Graft loss was associated with significant worsening of HRQoL.

Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Living Kidney Donors

The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is frequently applied to assess surgical or other treatment modalities. We evaluated the HRQoL of 57 kidney donors for comparison with 120 age-and sex-matched healthy individuals and 52 patients who underwent nephrectomy due to a renal tumor. The Short Form-36 (SF-36), Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-24), and Zerssen's Mood Scale (Bf-S) questionnaires were used for this purpose. The evaluation procedure was completely anonymous and free of charge for all respondents. The mean scores of various domains calculated for all three questionnaires were compared between the groups. In three of eight SF-36 items—“social function,” “bodily pain,” and “vitality”—donors scored significantly better than the controls and patients. In all five GBB-24 items, donors scored higher than controls and patients. For “gastric complaints,” the difference was significant. The mood analysis showed significant differences between the groups in favor of donors. The HRQoL of living kidney donors was not different from that of healthy subjects and significantly better than the HRQoL of urologic patients after nephrectomy. Donors should be monitored for both physical and psychosocial outcomes of the procedure. Further prospective studies are needed to facilitate potential donors' understanding of the complex issues related to organ donation.

Frauenspezifische Beschwerden in der deutschen Allgemeinbevölkerung: Eine repräsentative Umfrage

This report encompasses a representative survey of the German feminine population. The aim of this survey is to assess subjective gynaecological complaints. These were registered by the newly constructed "Giessen Subjective Complaints List - for women". This questionnaire measures specific gynaecological complaints of several body areas (excretion, pelvic pain, breast, vulva, menses). Participants included n = 1 093 women between the age of 14 and 77 years. The highest complaint rates of the study participants were observed in the area of menstrual symptoms. Overall, 31 % (n = 206) of the surveyed women indicated that they suffered somewhat, extensively, or highly from menstrual complaints (e. g. painful menstruation or menorrhagia). These menstrual symptoms were significantly higher in younger women (14-45 yr.). Symptoms of other complaint areas (excretion, e. g. urinary incontinence; breast, e. g. sensitivity) were slightly less dominant than menstrual symptoms with 17 % (n = 186) and 13 % (n = 128) respectively. It was shown that subjective gynaecological complaints show a typical age-dependent developmental course. They represent the major psychosocial topic of the current phase of life for each woman. This study is a contribution to the epidemiology of subjective gynaecological complaints in the German feminine population.

Subjective complaints in persons under chronic low-dose exposure to lower polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been in widespread industrial use in the 1960s and 1970s. Despite a worldwide reduction, environmental exposure remains an issue especially in contaminated buildings. Due to the ubiquitous presence and poor degradation of PCBs, public health concerns continue to exist; however, evidence on the actual health effects of chronic low-dose exposure is scanty. The objective of the present study is an assessment of subjective complaints of exposed subjects in comparison to a non-exposed control group and their inter-relation to plasma levels of PCB congeners. The plasma concentrations of PCB congeners were measured in 583 subjects who had worked for an average of 14.7+/-9.6 years in a contaminated building in Germany, and 205 control subjects working in a non-contaminated building. Subjective complaints were assessed with the 24-item 'Giessen Subjective Complaints List' (GSCL-24). The subjects under chronic low-dose exposure scored significantly higher values on all the GSCL subscales except 'stomach complaints' in comparison to the non-exposed subjects and a 'normal' sample derived from the literature. However, thorough statistical analysis revealed no correlation of symptoms and PCB congener plasma concentration; the scores on the subscale 'exhaustion were even higher in subjects with low PCB concentration. Subjects working in a PCB-contaminated building report more subjective complaints in comparison to non-exposed subjects, but the complaints are not related to current PCB plasma concentrations.

Assisted Vacations for Men With Dementia and Their Caregiving Spouses: Evaluation of Health-Related Effects

In this study, we conducted the first evaluation of assisted vacations for persons with dementia and their caregivers in the field of caregiving research. We used a quasi-experimental, two-group, repeated measures design with two measuring times (preintervention, 3-month follow-up) to examine whether assisted vacations lead to a reduction in physical complaints and symptoms of depression in family caregivers. The sample consisted of 29 caregiving wives who were providing at-home care for husbands suffering from dementia. We selected the participants in the control group from a waiting list. Outcome measurements were made with the Giessen Subjective Complaints List and the Beck Depression Inventory. The overall emotional and physical states of the participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements in comparison with those of the control group 3 months after the first interview. The results show that assisted vacations can have both immediate and longer lasting positive effects on participants' health. Assisted vacations can therefore be a way of diminishing the risk of stress disorders for caregiving spouses. Making assisted vacations available to people with dementia and their caregivers is a worthwhile goal for community support facilities working to reduce caregiver burden.