[How patients react when glaucoma is diagnosed?].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the psychological consequences of announcing the diagnosis of glaucoma.


METHODS
Two hundred patients completed a 20-item questionnaire designed to analyze the context in which glaucoma was discovered and the patients' reaction to this diagnosis. Behavioral modification in patients and their families are specified as well as their perception of the information received.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients had open-angle glaucoma and showed either an anxious or a passive reaction to the announcement of the diagnosis. Severe anxiety led to prescription of minor tranquilizers or antidepressants in 11% of cases. Nearly half of the patients declared that they had modified their behavior after receiving the diagnosis, indicating a need to play an active role in disease management. A large majority of the patients were conscious of the risk of blindness related to glaucoma; however, they did not feel  ill  but rather  handicapped . Most were dissatisfied with the information provided by their doctor and sought other sources of information.


CONCLUSIONS
Announcing a diagnosis of glaucoma is a decisive step in the physician-patient relationship, known to be important in future treatment compliance. Better adapted information with regular reevaluation of the need for additional information is necessary. The psychological impact should be evaluated regularly in order to promote an active role on the part of the patient and avoid a decline in quality of life.
Hamelin
N
N
Hôpital des Quinze-Vingts, Université Paris V, 28, rue de Charenton, 75012 Paris, France.
Blatrix
C
C
Brion
F
F
Mathieu
C
C
Goemaere
I
I
Nordmann
J P
JP
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000523:psychology; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents