Illness Perception Dimensions Research Articles

The Effect of Nursing Care Satisfaction on Illness Perception in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective: This study was conducted as a descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study to examine the perception of illness in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methods: The study was carried out in the cardiology services of the training and research hospital. The data of the study were collected with the "Socio-Demographic and İllness Characteristics Information Form of the Patients", "Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scale” and "Illness Perception Questionnaire". The sample of the study consisted of 377 patients followed up with acute coronary syndrome. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal Wallies, Mann Whitney U, Spearman correlation analyzes were used to evaluate the data. Results: It was determined that the patients included in the study experienced pain (96.3%) in the first rank according to the illness symptom (identity) dimension of the Illness Perception Questionnaire. According to the mean scores of the illness perception dimensions, “Emotional Representations” was the highest with 24.94±5.66, and the highest “Risk Factors” with 20.29±5.22 in the sub-dimension point averages for the causes of the illness. The mean score of the patients according to the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scale was determined as 80.91±17.36. It was determined that there was a weakly significant positive correlation between Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scale and the Duration (acute / chronic) and Results sub-dimensions of Illness Perception Questionnaire (P<0.001). Conclusion: Patients demonstrate that they believe acute coronary syndrome is a chronic illness with serious consequences. In line with the results, it is suggested that nurses should plan service at a level that improves the care of patients' perceptions of illness.

The effectiveness of psychologically-informed physiotherapy for people with neck pain and the mediating role of illness perceptions: a replicated single-case experimental design study

Purpose (1) To evaluate the effectiveness of personalised psychologically-informed physiotherapy in people with neck pain; (2) To explore the mediating role of changes in illness perceptions. Method In this replicated single-case study, 14 patients with non-specific neck pain at risk for chronicity received a personalised intervention addressing unhelpful illness perceptions and dysfunctional movement behaviour, according to principles of cognitive functional therapy. Outcomes included the mediating role of illness perceptions on overall effect, function, pain intensity and self-efficacy. Linear mixed models were used to analyse the data. Results Repeated measurements (14-20 per patient), including a 3-months follow-up, showed a gradual improvement during and/or after psychologically-informed physiotherapy for overall effect, function, pain and to a lesser extent self-efficacy. Changes in each of the illness perception dimensions showed a mediation effect on overall effect, function and pain. When combining the dimensions “consequences,” “personal control,” “identity,” “concern” and “emotional response,” changes in illness perceptions explained approximately 35% of the improvement in overall effect. Conclusion Addressing unhelpful illness perceptions appears valuable in the management of patients with chronic or recurrent non-specific neck pain. Intervention effects extended beyond the treatment period, indicating that patients’ improved understanding of their health condition continued to have a positive impact.

Illness Perception and Risk Management Behaviors Among Patients With Gynecologic Cancer at Risk of Lower Extremity Lymphedema.

Patients with gynecologic cancer who undergo lymphadenectomy are at increased risk of lower extremity lymphedema (LEL). They are encouraged to be alert to the possibility of LEL and take risk-management measures throughout life. However, we know little about the perception for LEL and adherence to risk-management measures of Chinese patients with gynecologic cancer. To assess the illness perception and risk management behaviors of Chinese gynecologic cancer patients and further examine the effect of illness perception on risk management behaviors. This was a cross-sectional study. From June to December 2023, gynecologic cancer patients at risk of LEL were surveyed (n = 223). Questionnaires on illness perception and risk management behaviors specifically for LEL were utilized. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, univariate analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were used for data analysis. The participants exhibited suboptimal LEL risk management behaviors, with the physical activity dimension receiving the lowest score (3.24 ± 1.02). Patients' self-perceived understanding of LEL was relatively low (2.88 ± 0.83). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the identity, cause, and control dimensions of illness perception, as well as several demographic and disease variables, were significant predictors of patients' LEL risk management behaviors. The LEL risk management behaviors of patients with gynecologic cancer need to be improved. Consideration of perceptions of identity, cause, and control is crucial for enhancing LEL risk management behaviors. Health professionals can implement targeted health education based on an assessment of patients' perceptions of LEL, thereby promoting lymphedema risk management.

Unveiling the Psychological Consequences of Illness Perception in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: A Parent-Child Study.

Previous research has emphasized the significant role of illness perception in chronic diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis. Limited research has been conducted on exploring illness perception in Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS), parental illness perception, and the impact of differences in their illness perceptions on the emotional well-being of the child. This study included 65 dyads of children aged 10-17 and their parents, divided into the following two groups: (I) 32 dyads of children with POMS and their parents; and (II) 33 dyads of healthy children and their parents. Overall, 73.1% and 43.8% of the children with POMS met the criteria for probable anxiety and depression, respectively, compared to 27.3% and 0% of the healthy children. Differences were found between the dimensions of illness perception in the POMS children and their parents, in the areas of consequences, personal control, identity, and control factors. Multinomial Logistic Regression indicated that differences in child-parent illness perception increased the likelihood of comorbid anxiety and depression by 37%. These findings underscore the importance of alignment between children with POMS and their parents in illness perception. Healthcare providers should prioritize interventions that address illness perceptions and be mindful of the potential impact on depression and anxiety comorbidity.

How do illness perceptions impact device acceptance in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator?

Abstract Background The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the first-line treatment for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients at high risk of a life-threatening arrhythmia. Illness perceptions encompass the cognitive and emotional representations each ICD patient has about their health condition, thus influencing coping strategies and health behaviors essential to adjusting to life with their device and underlying heart disease. We investigate how illness perceptions are prospectively linked to device acceptance in ICD patients. Purpose To examine how illness perceptions at ICD implantation are associated with patient device acceptance one-year post-implantation. Methods Secondary analysis of the ACQUIRE-ICD, national, multi-center, randomised controlled trial. Illness perceptions were measured with the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (B-IPQ) with 350 first-time ICD or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) recipients filling out the questionnaire at ICD implantation. B-IPQ was only assessed at baseline. Patient device acceptance, a disease-specific quality of life measure for ICD patients, was measured at both ICD implantation and at 12 months follow-up with the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey (FPAS). Of the 350 patients, 261 patients (75%) completed FPAS at 12 months follow-up. Results The participants’ mean age was 59.7 ± 11.4 years with the majority being male (83%). Total illness perceptions scores were categorised into low experienced threat (n = 182, 52%), medium experienced threat (n = 82, 23%), and high experienced threat (n = 86, 25%). In the multivariate analysis, high experienced threat at ICD implantation was associated with significantly lower device acceptance at 12 months follow-up compared to low (B = -5.80, 95% CI [- 10.61, – -1.00], p = .018) and moderate experienced illness threat (B = -7.35, 95% CI [- 12.32, – -2.38], p = .004) while adjusting for device acceptance at baseline, age, sex, NYHA-class, indication, ischemic heart disease, education, intervention group and device type. In an exploratory analysis investigating associations of all 8 B-IPQ illness perception dimensions (single item-scores) simultaneously regressed on 12-months total FPAS-scores with baseline FPAS-scores as covariate, B-IPQ item 4 measuring treatment control showed the strongest association (B = 0.94, 95% CI [0.13, – 1.76], p = .023) with higher perceived treatment control linked with higher device acceptance. Conclusion ICD patients with high experienced illness threat at ICD implantation had substantially lower device acceptance at one-year post-implantation compared to patients with low-to-moderate experienced illness threat. Perceptions of treatment control at ICD implantation appear to be a potential mediator of this relationship.

The association between perceived cause of glaucoma and illness perceptions.

The perceived cause of disease is an important factor that has been linked with treatment outcomes but has not been fully assessed in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This study assessed the accuracy of patients' perceived cause of POAG and identified associations between accuracy, illness perceptions, medication adherence, and quality of life (QoL). The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) was used to assess illness perceptions and asked patients to rank the three most important causes of their disease in order of importance. POAG risk factors recognized by the American Academy of Ophthalmology were used to code responses as accurate or inaccurate based on the following three methods: (1) coding any reported cause, regardless of rank, (2) coding only the first-ranked cause, and (3) coding and weighting all reported causes. Medication adherence was measured electronically. QoL was measured using the Glaucoma Quality of Life questionnaire. Mann-Whitney U test was used to detect differences in illness perceptions, medication adherence, and QoL between accuracy groups. A total of 97 patients identified a cause of their POAG and were included in this analysis. A higher proportion of patients reported an accurate cause (86.6% using method 1, 78.4% using method 2, and 79.4% using method 3; all p < 0.001). Mean medication adherence was 86.0% ± 17.8 and was similar across accuracy groups (all p > 0.05). Using method 2 (p = 0.045) and method 3 (p = 0.028), patients who reported an accurate cause of their POAG believed that their illness would last for a longer time compared to patients who reported an inaccurate cause. Method 3 also revealed that patients who reported an accurate cause of their POAG had lower perceived understanding of their illness (p = 0.048) compared to patients who reported an inaccurate cause. There were no differences in QoL between accuracy groups (all p > 0.05). This study highlights the association between perceived cause of POAG and illness perceptions related to knowledge level and POAG duration. Future studies should assess associations between perceived cause of disease and other critical dimensions of illness perception.

The Role of Illness Perception and Self-Efficacy in Determining Quality of Life among Cancer Patients.

The quality of life for people with chronic illnesses like cancer has been shown to be significantly impacted by self-efficacy and perceptions of their illness. This study investigates the relationship between cancer patients' perceptions of their illness, their self-efficacy beliefs, and their quality of life. Conducted from December 2022 to February 2023, this research involved 120 adults undergoing cancer treatment. We utilized the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), the Arabic version of the Cancer Behavioral Inventory Brief (CBI-B), and the Arabic EORTC QLQ-C30, alongside clinical data collection. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics. Breast cancer emerged as the most common type among participants. A positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and quality of life, as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30, particularly in relation to symptom management. Interestingly, all dimensions of illness perception correlated with quality of life, except for control and concerns. The findings underscore the vital role of nurses and healthcare providers in aiding cancer patients to develop and utilize self-management strategies effectively. The study reveals that a patient's capacity to manage their illness is significantly influenced by their confidence, understanding of their condition, and overall quality of life. Addressing these aspects can greatly enhance healthcare professionals' contribution to improving the resilience and well-being of individuals battling cancer.

Adherence in adults with sickle cell disease: Using illness perception to understand the low adherence rate

IntroductionSickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common monogenic disease, and is characterised by extreme pain episodes. Despite available efficacious treatments, adherence rates are low leading to high hospitalisation rate. ObjectiveExplore the relationship between hydroxyurea adherence among adults with SDC and illness perceptions. MethodWe performed a cross-sectional study among 211 adults with SCD and assessed illness perception, their adherence and their cognitions about their treatment. ResultsThe adherence rate was very low, and patients reported misconceptions regarding SCD. The factor analysis of the illness perception dimensions revealed a two-factor model, accounting for 66.5% of the total variance. Based on the factor analysis, three clusters of participants were identified corresponding to three types of perceptions of SCD and different levels of adherence. ConclusionThe combination of a low capacity to adapt to their illness (factor 1) with a strong negative experience of their health condition (factor 2) seems negatively link to the therapeutic adherence of adults with SCD.

The puppet interview to measure illness perceptions in paediatric oncology: development and psychometric properties in acute treatment and follow-up care

BackgroundIllness perceptions comprise assumptions about symptoms, timeline, consequences, controllability, and emotional responses to an illness. Recent evidence shows that illness perceptions are associated with coping and well-being. So far, assessment in paediatric care was based on parental report only, since no instrument for the direct assessment of young children was available. We aim to describe the development (incl. indication and contraindication) of an innovative puppet interview to assess illness perceptions in children with cancer from the age of four years. Moreover, we investigate longitudinal trajectories and examine psychometric properties.MethodsThe puppet interview was developed based on the Illness-Perception-Questionnaire-Revised and the Berkeley-Puppet-Interview. Longitudinal trajectories and psychometric properties were examined in a sample of patient-parent dyads (N = 75) in a prospective longitudinal study in acute treatment with a 1-year follow-up (study 1: nT1 = 41, nT2 = 27) and in a cross-sectional study in follow-up care (study 2, n = 34).ResultsThe puppet interview is comprehensible and well-received by children in acute treatment and follow-up care. There were significant differences in perceptions of a chronic timeline (U = 301.00, p = .008), consequences (U = 251.00, p = .008), and emotional representations (U = 244.50, p = .020) between children in acute treatment and children in follow-up care. Over the course of one year, children in acute treatment perceived more symptoms as part of their illness (MT1 = 3.6, SDT1 = 2.9, MT2 = 4.5, SDT2 = 3.1, n = 27, Z = -2.603, p = .009). We found expected intercorrelations between illness perception dimensions, e.g. between perception of consequences and emotional representations (rτ = .27, p = .033), and between perception of a chronic timeline and consequences (rτ = .38, p = .001). Moreover, we found confirming results regarding construct validity, as child’s perceptions of symptoms correlated with their self-rated HRQoL (rτ = -.32, padj. = .014). Also parent-rated subscale on illness-specific aspects of child’s HRQoL correlated with child’s perception of symptoms (rτ = -.26, padj. = .016), cyclicity (rτ = -.28, padj. = .016), and consequences (rτ = -.34, padj. = .014). Acceptable internal consistency was shown for the dimensions timeline-acute/chronic and personal control.ConclusionsParental report can now be complemented by a self-report of illness perceptions in children aged four years and older. This will allow for the further adaptation of medical and psychosocial care during and after acute cancer treatment.Trial registrationThe study has been pre-registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (registered 30/06/2020; DRK-S00022034) and at the Open Science Foundation (https://osf.io/7xr6z).

Association between illness perception and adherence to inhaler therapy in elderly Chinese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Despite the fact that inhaled medications serve as the foundation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment, patient adherence to inhaler therapy remains low, significantly impacting health outcomes in disease management. The Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation suggests that illness perception plays a crucial role in individual behavior. Nevertheless, the relationship between illness perception and inhaler adherence, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remains unclear in the elderly Chinese COPD population. Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between dimensions of illness perception and adherence to inhaler therapy in elderly Chinese patients with COPD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by recruiting 305 participants (mean age: 70.96 years; 69.8% male) using convenience sampling from a tertiary hospital in Anhui, China. The Chinese versions of the Test of Adherence to Inhalers (TAI) and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) were used to evaluate adherence to inhalation and perception of their illness in patients with COPD. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between inhaler adherence and illness perception in patients with COPD. Results: 84.3% of participants showed poor adherence, and the mean (standard deviation) B-IPQ total score was 44.87 (6.36). The results indicated an essential correlation between illness perception and inhaler adherence. Specifically, personal control (AOR = 2.149, p < 0.001), treatment control (AOR = 1.743, p < 0.001), comprehension (AOR = 5.739, p < 0.001) and emotions (AOR = 1.946, p < 0.001) within illness perception emerged as significant positive predictors for inhaler adherence among patients with COPD. Conclusion: This study suggests that clinical practitioners should monitor the illness perception of patients with COPD and develop targeted intervention measures to improve patient adherence to inhaler therapy.

41 Predictors of Cognitive Symptoms Following Adult Civilian Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective:Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is an important public health problem, due to its high incidence and the failure of at least 20% of patients to successfully recover from injury. Cognitive symptoms, in particular, are an important area of research in mTBI, due to their association with return to work and referral to neuropsychological services. Understanding the predictors of cognitive symptoms may help to improve outcomes after mTBI. This study explored female sex, psychological distress, coping style and illness perceptions as potential predictors of cognitive symptoms following adult civilian mTBI.Participants and Methods:Sixty-nine premorbidly healthy adults with mTBI (mean age = 36.7, SD = 14.7, range = 18-60; 15 females) were recruited from trauma wards at two public hospitals in Australia and assessed 6-12 weeks following injury. Cognitive complaint was measured using a comprehensive 30-item scale (CCAMCHI) assessing mTBI-specific symptoms in the domains of processing speed, attention, memory and executive function. Participants additionally completed the following measures: Brief-COPE, Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised, Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. The latter three measures were combined to create an index of psychological distress.Results:Bivariate nonparametric correlational analyses indicated that female sex (r[67] = .26, 95% CI [.14, .55], p = .03) and psychological distress (r[66] = .54, 95% CI [.40, .72], p &lt; .001) were each significantly associated with cognitive symptom reporting following mTBI. Additionally, while none of the three coping style factors were associated with cognitive symptom reporting, seven of the eight dimensions of illness perceptions were associated with symptom reporting (|r| = .25 - .58, p &lt; 0.05). In a linear regression model assessing the combined effects of each variable, female sex, greater psychological distress, and overall negative illness perceptions were each significant independent predictors of increased cognitive complaint (adj. R2 = .47, F[4,63] = 15.59, p &lt; .001).Conclusions:These findings implicate female sex, psychological distress, and illness perceptions as key factors associated with cognitive symptom reporting after mTBI. This research suggests that these factors may be useful in clinical practice when considering early identification of individuals at risk of poor recovery. Specifically, this research implicates females, individuals with high psychological distress, and individuals with negative illness perceptions as important to subgroups to consider for potential intervention after mTBI. Additionally, as psychological distress and illness perceptions are both potentially modifiable, this research suggests that these factors may be useful targets for intervention.

Effect of illness perception on predicting breast cancer-related lymphedema risk management behaviours among breast cancer patients: A comparison between dimensions and profiles.

This study aimed to explore the utility of latent profile analysis of illness perception, in comparison to treating illness perception as several dimensions, to predict breast cancer-related lymphedema risk management behaviours among Chinese breast cancer patients. This is a 3-month longitudinal study. From August 2019 to January 2021, patients who recently underwent breast cancer surgery including axillary lymphadenectomy were recruited. Illness perception and risk management behaviours were measured by breast cancer-related lymphedema specific questionnaires before discharge following surgery (n = 268) and at 3 months postsurgery (n = 213), respectively. Treating illness perception as several dimensions, 'illness coherence' and 'timeline (cyclical)' dimensions were found to be significantly associated with breast cancer-related lymphedema risk management behaviours. Using the latent profile analysis, two illness perception profiles were identified and significant differences were revealed in breast cancer-related lymphedema risk management behaviours between them. Overall, illness perception profiles explained smaller amounts of variability in breast cancer-related lymphedema risk management behaviours than illness perception dimensions. Future studies could combine these two different perspectives of illness perception regarding breast cancer-related lymphedema into the design of interventions to improve breast cancer-related lymphedema risk management behaviours.

Longitudinal trajectories of illness perception regarding breast cancer-related lymphedema among women with breast cancer

ObjectiveTo identify longitudinal trajectories of illness perception (IP) regarding breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) in the first six months after surgery among women with breast cancer and to explore the predictive effects of demographics and clinical factors on IP trajectories. MethodsFrom August 2019 to August 2021, a total of 352 patients participated in this study, 328 of whom were included in the data analysis. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at baseline (1–3 days after surgery). The BCRL-specific revised illness perception questionnaire was used to measure IP regarding BCRL at baseline and 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-surgery. A multilevel model was conducted to analyze the data. ResultsOver the first six months post-surgery, the “timeline acute/chronic” and “illness coherence” dimensions showed positive growth trajectories; the “personal control” and “treatment control” dimensions presented negative growth trajectories; and the trajectories of identity, consequences, cyclicality and emotional influence perceptions regarding BCRL showed no significant changes. Age, education level, marital status, employment status, family monthly income per person, cancer stage and status of removed lymph nodes were indicated to be predictive factors of IP trajectories. ConclusionsThe present study determined significant changes over the first six months post-surgery in four IP dimensions and predictive effects of some demographics and clinical details on IP trajectories. These findings may help healthcare providers know more about the dynamic characteristics of IPs regarding BCRL in patients with breast cancer and assist them in identifying patients with a tendency toward improper IP regarding BCRL.

Illness-Perception, Coping Strategies and Psychological Distress among Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Women

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common disorder among women. Globally 2.2% to 26 % of the women suffers from this syndrome. Illness perception change the coping strategies and attitude towards illness. Psychological distress is assumed to be significantly influenced by coping strategies and illness perception. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship among illness-perception, coping strategies and psychological distress among PCOS women. Methods: A sample of n=90 females with age range of 20 to 35 years (M= 26.3, SD=3.3). Through probability sampling strategy. Illness perception questionnaire (Broadbent et al., 2006), brief coping scale (Carver, 1997) and psychological distress scale (Kessler et al., 1992) measures were used. Findings: The results were analyzed through Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple hierarchical regression tests which shows significant relationship among psychological distress and one dimension of brief coping (problem focused coping), whereas shows significant positive and negative relationship with illness perception dimensions Practical Implication &amp; Conclusion: Findings implies that high psychological distress would be due to high perception of illness. Women uses problem focused coping strategies more readily cope the stress in illness and experienced less psychological distress in polycystic ovary syndrome. So this review helps the clinicians in reducing distress among PCOS women. Keywords: Illness perception, Coping Strategies, Psychological distress, polycystic ovary syndrome

The effects of illness perceptions on health-related quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background/Introduction Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is lower compared with the general population, healthy controls, and patients with other cardiovascular diseases. Many factors influence HRQoL in patients with AF negatively. Illness perceptions have been shown to be related to HRQoL in a number of diseases, but, the role of the effect of illness perception on HRQoL in patients with AF is lacking. Purpose The aim was to explore the relationship between illness perceptions and HRQoL in patients with AF. Methods The present study with a cross-sectional design included 167 patients with AF. Patients scheduled for cardioversion at a University hospital in Sweden, filled in self-reported, validated questionnaires. Illness perception was measured with the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-r) and HRQoL was measured with the Arrhythmia-Specific questionnaire in Tachycardia and Arrhythmias (ASTA). The illness perception part of IPQ-r consists of seven dimensions (Timeline acute/chronic, Consequences, Emotional Representations, Personal control, Treatment control, Illness coherence, and Timeline cyclic). Dimensions of the IPQ-R with significant correlations with HRQoL were included in a multiple regression model. Results The participants consisted of 69.5% men and the mean age for the group was 68,8±10,4. The correlations for the dimensions of illness perception are presented in Table 1. The multiple regression analysis (Table 2) showed that Consequences (p&amp;lt;0,001) and Emotional Representations (p=0,003) were significantly associated with and adversely affected HRQoL. The model explained 35% of the total variance in HRQoL (R2= 0,350, p=0,001). Conclusion(s) Emotional representations such as anger, anxiety, depression, and the consequences that patients experience that the condition has on daily life, negatively affect patients with AF. The relationship between illness perception and quality of life, indicates that efforts to change illness perceptions can be useful in improving HRQoL. In addition to information, patients need to be given the opportunity to talk about the disease, about their feelings, and about the consequences that the disease has on daily life. A challenge for healthcare will be to design support for each unique individual based on their illness perceptions. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Forskningslyftet, Umea UniversityStrategic Research Area Health Care Sience (SFO-V)

The role of illness perceptions on medication nonadherence among patients with hypertension: A multicenter study in indonesia

Introduction: Nonadherence to antihypertensive medications is recognized as a significant cause of treatment failure. Therefore, identifying its underlying factors, particularly from the patient’s perspective, is essential for developing tailored intervention strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between different domains of illness perception and medication nonadherence among patients with hypertension in Indonesia. Patients and methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with hypertension aged 18 years old and older who were using antihypertensive medications in the last 3 months in the community health centers in the three cities in Indonesia. The different domains of illness perception (e.g., consequences, timeline, personal control, treatment control, identity, concerns, comprehension, and emotional response) and medication nonadherence were assessed using a validated Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (BIPQ) and Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS), respectively. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the associations between the different domains of illness perception and medication nonadherence adjusting for confounders. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results: A total of 440 participants were included, whom 41.8% reported nonadherence to antihypertensive medications. The majority of the participants were females (64.3%) and aged between 60 and 69 years old (39.5%). The treatment control (OR: 0.80, 95% confidence interval: 0.7–10.90), patient’s comprehension of hypertension (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.820–0.97), and patient’s emotions (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88–0.99) were significantly associated with medication nonadherence. No significant associations were observed between the other domains of illness perception and medication nonadherence. Conclusion: Different dimensions of illness perception were associated with non-adherence to antihypertensive medications. Educational interventions should be developed based on patients’ perception of their illness.

Illness perceptions in long-COVID: A cross-sectional analysis in adults

Symptoms may persist after an acute COVID-19 infection, a phenomenon termed long-COVID. Increasing attention is now directed toward these long-term effects, as many seem to be affected. So far, long-COVID was primarily discussed from a medical perspective, leaving psychological factors on health-related outcomes understudied. Thus, the present study contributes to the current literature by examining Leventhal’s common-sense model of self-regulation, investigating patients’ cognitive and emotional illness perceptions and their association with different health-related outcomes in the context of long-COVID. We examined 246 long-COVID patients (89.0% female, Mage = 45.29 ± 12.12 years), assessing illness perceptions, fatigue, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and quality of life in a cross-sectional survey study. Linear regression analyses were applied to model the unique effects of the illness perception dimension on health-related outcomes. More than half of the sample had elevated levels of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and fatigue. Illness perception dimensions explained between 28% and 37% of the variance across the analyzed health-related outcomes. More symptoms, higher perceived consequences, and higher emotional representation were related to worse health-related outcomes. In general, long-COVID was poorly understood (i.e., low coherence) and perceived as difficult to control (i.e., personal & treatment control). Health professionals involved in counseling should pay close attention to both cognitive and emotional illness perceptions to address possible ways of coping with long-COVID.

Illness perception and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in Iran

BackgroundKnowing of perception of the illness, and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with myocardial infarction is crucial in engaging in effective secondary prevention. This study aimed to examine illness perception and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.MethodsThe participants comprised 131 patients undergoing a first-time percutaneous coronary intervention at a metropolitan, tertiary referral hospital in Tabriz, Iran. The convenience sampling method was employed to select the research sample within a six-month period. The instruments used were as follows: (1) Demographic and health information form, (2) The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (3) The Health Risk Assessment framework developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The design of the study was descriptive, cross sectional. The continuous variables were analyzed using Independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA); and categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test.ResultsMost participants had a positive family history of cardiovascular disease (54.2%), with 66.4% of participants having at least one cardiovascular risk factor such as diabetes (36.6%) hypertension (32.8%) and dyslipidemia (16%). Most participants were physically inactive (78.6%), about 48.9% were overweight, 34.4% suffered from obesity and 26% were smokers. Illness perception in this study was seen to be high (6.21), with highest scores occurring in the illness control dimension (6.83) and lowest scores occurring in the understanding dimension (3.77). There was a significant relationship between illness perception and physical activity, nutrition, sleep and general health. Direct significant relationships between biometric values (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure); psychological factors (depression, anxiety and stress) and illness perception were also found to exist.ConclusionsLow scores in two dimensions of illness perception may lead to psychological consequences such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The relationship between illness perception and some risk factors of cardiovascular disease such as physical activity, diet and biometric values, reveal the need for more attention to patient education and counselling.

Illness perceptions and adherence to breast cancer-related lymphedema risk management behaviours among breast cancer survivors.

To describe illness perceptions of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and adherence to BCRL risk management behaviours and analyse the relationship between these factors in postoperative breast cancer survivors in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the first half of 2019 using 281 breast cancer survivors. Participants' illness perceptions and adherence to BCRL risk management behaviours at the 3rd month after surgery were investigated using the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire for BCRL (IPQ-R [BCRL]), Lymphedema Risk Management Behaviour Questionnaire (LRMBQ), and Functional Exercise Adherence Scale (FEAS). The relationship between these variables was studied using correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Among the four dimensions of the LRMBQ, the mean score of our respondents received in "skin care" was 3.63 (S.D. 0.67), which was the lowest on the dimension, demonstrating the worst performance in this aspect. Regarding the FEAS results, better functional exercise adherence was observed in our sample compared to previous Chinese research. The results also showed that adherence to BCRL risk management behaviours was related to patient age and degree of education. Furthermore, other dimensions of illness perceptions, such as consequence, timeline acute/chronic, illness coherence and identity, follow their multiple linear regression equations with their corresponding BCRL risk management behaviour adherence. Our findings confirmed the importance of illness perceptions for adherence to BCRL risk management behaviours, suggesting that we need to pay attention to patients' cognition in this respect and supply necessary interventions.

Quality of Life of Patients with Cardiovascular Disease in Relation to Their Anxiety, Illness Perception, and Personality

The United Nations has urged for measures to minimize premature mortality from non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) through prevention and treatment, as well as to enhance mental health and well-being, as part of its Sustainable Development Goals. The quality of life of numerous people is impacted by CVD, which had an impact on their subjective well-being both physically and psychologically. The present study has been attempted with an aim of understanding the determinants of quality of life among patients with CVD. Two hundred patients with CVD were selected from Salem district of Tamil Nadu through incidental sampling. The illness perception, personality, anxiety, and quality of life of the CVD patients were measured with the help of appropriate tools. Analysis of data revealed that quality of life was significantly related to anxiety and personality traits of patients with CVD. The control and consequence dimensions of illness perception were found to be the significant predictors of quality of life among patients with CVD. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) determined that illness perception and personality factors had a significant influence on quality of life. The results and implications are discussed in the article.