Mental Representations of Illness in Patients with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: How Do Patients Perceive Their Condition?
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease comprises a group of benign and malignant disorders that derive from the placenta. Using Leventhal's Common-Sense Model as a theoretical framework, this paper examines illness perception in women who have been diagnosed with this disease.



Thirty-one women diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease in a hospital in Italy were asked to complete the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised to measure the following: illness Identity, illness opinions and causes of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.



High mean scores were observed in the Emotional representations and Treatment control subscales. A significant difference emerged between hydatidiform mole patients and those with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia on the Identity subscale. A significant correlation emerged between "time since diagnosis" and the Treatment control subscale.



This study is the first to investigate illness perception in Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. From a clinical perspective the results highlight the need for multidisciplinary support programs to promote a more realistic illness perception.
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.|Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Valentina E
VE
Di Mattei
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.|Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Letizia
L
Carnelli
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
Martina
M
Mazzetti
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
Martina
M
Bernardi
Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
Rossella
R
Di Pierro
Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Alice
A
Bergamini
Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Giorgia
G
Mangili
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.|Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Massimo
M
Candiani
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.|Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Lucio
L
Sarno
D005260:Female; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D011247:Pregnancy