[Fear of progression in chronic diseases].
Chronically physically ill patients frequently suffer from psychological distress. The realistic fear of progression (FOP) of disease is one of the most important causes of distress in these patients. This study investigates the extent of FOP in patients with diverse diagnoses. 863 Patients answered the FOP-questionnaire, medical and sociodemographic items. Group differences were investigated with t- and F-tests. Determinants for FOP were identified by linear multiple regression. Some diagnostic subgroups differ in degree and profile of FOP. Patients with rheumatic diseases and Parkinson's disease score highest, patients with stroke or chronic peripheric vascular disease lowest in FOP total scores. Age, sex, economic situation and employment effect the level of fear of progression. Systematic studies are needed to verify the importance of FOP for patients with chronic disease and to ascertain clinical indication for psychotherapeutic support.
IFT Gesundheitsförderung, Psychotherapeutische Ambulanz, München, Germany. berg@ift-ambulanz.de
Petra
P
Berg
Katrin
K
Book
Andreas
A
Dinkel
Gerhard
G
Henrich
Birgitt
B
Marten-Mittag
Dennis
D
Mertens
Christine
C
Ossner
Sandra
S
Volmer
Peter
P
Herschbach
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004651:Employment; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult