Chronic conditions, psychological distress and the use of psychoactive medications

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether number and type of chronic conditions are related to psychological distress, fatigue, and the use of psychoactive medications. Methods: Data were taken from a community-based sample of adults who had responded to a health survey mailing (N...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychosomatic research 2000-02, Vol.48 (2), p.115-123
Main Authors: Koopmans, Gerrit T., Lamers, Leida M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Chronic disease
Chronic Disease - psychology
Chronic diseases
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depressive Disorder - drug therapy
Disability Evaluation
Factors
Fatigue - drug therapy
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Illness and personality
Illness, stress and coping
Male
Middle Aged
Psychoactive medication
Psychological functioning
Psychology and medicine
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychotropic drugs
Psychotropic Drugs - administration & dosage
Relationship
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether number and type of chronic conditions are related to psychological distress, fatigue, and the use of psychoactive medications. Methods: Data were taken from a community-based sample of adults who had responded to a health survey mailing (N = 9428). Chronic conditions were assessed by self-report. Information on the use of psychoactive medications was extracted from a claims database of prescribed drugs. Chronic conditions were compared controlling for confounding factors. Results: Strong associations were found between the number of chronic conditions, on the one hand, and psychological distress and fatigue, on the other. There was a less strong association between these factors and the use of medication for anxiety and stress, the use of sleeping pills or tranquilizers, and the use of antidepressants. There was only a partial association between type of condition, psychological distress, and fatigue. Migraine had the broadest impact, having an effect on psychological distress and fatigue and on the use of anxiolytics, as well as the use of antidepressants. Conclusion: The association of chronic conditions with psychological distress, fatigue, and the use of psychoactive medications appeared to be related more to the number of conditions than to the type of condition.
ISSN:0022-3999
1879-1360
DOI:10.1016/S0022-3999(99)00081-1