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Mental Health Survey Essay

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RESULTS

Recruitment and participant characteristics

Of the 44 patients contacted, 26 (59%) participated in the study. Eight (31%) participated in one of the three focus groups, and 18 (69%) participated in semi-structured interviews. Reasons for non-participation included competing priorities, lack of interest, and parent refusal. Participants were aged from 14 to 26 years (mean 18 years [SD 3.15]), and 14 (54%) were below 18 years, and the median disease duration was 6 years (SD 3.7). Most were female (n=24 [92%]) and of Asian ethnicity (n=16 [62%]). The most common SLE manifestations reported by participants were arthritis (n=17 [65%]) and skin lesions (n=11 [42%]) (table 1).

Participant priorities

Healthcare specialties (11 specialties) …show more content…

Also, they did not want other patients and the community to experience the burden of disease they had to endure. Participants believed that improved awareness through education would increase empathy towards young patients with SLE and minimise stigma, particularly in schools. A focus on improving mental health services and research into the impact of SLE on psychological health was believed to help improve the patients’ relationships with family and friends and gain social …show more content…

Cardiovascular health was indicated as an important priority by participants who were acutely conscious of the high rates of cardiovascular-related deaths in patients with SLE. Additionally, the impact of the health complication on quality of life was considered. For example, lupus nephritis was deemed to be a priority due to the potential need for dialysis, and neurological SLE was considered important as it could render patients to become “not themselves anymore”. Participants believed that impaired psychological well-being could have a detrimental effect to their health because of suicidal thoughts, or patients with depression and anxiety could become indifferent and unmotivated about treatment

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