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 = 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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Koopmans
G T
GT
Department of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. g.koopmans@bmg.eur.nl
Lamers
L M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs