ObjectiveThe AQUEOUS (Anti-phospholipid syndrome: a QUEstionnaire for yOUng patientS) study aimed to assess how the diagnosis of primary anti-phospholipid syndrome (PAPS) affects the psychosocial status of young patients.MethodsSubjects with PAPS aged 18-45 years were invited to compile an ad hoc designed questionnaire and the Short Form-12 to assess quality of life (QoL).ResultsNinety-two patients (83.7% females) were recruited in 10 Italian centres. Vascular and obstetric nianifestations were equally represented. Nearly half of the patients perceived the need for psychological support, 892% when considering women after pregnancy complications. Social activities and working efficiency were reduced in APS patients, also intimacy was threatened. In all cases, fatigue appeared to be the main determinant. PAPS affected family planning, due to fears o f treatment side-effects, disease hereditariness, inability to care for the newborn child. Fertility appeared to be conserved: the median time to pregnancy was 2 months; assisted reproduction techniques were pursued by 5 women. Our survey documented significantly lower rates of hospitalisation and learning disabilities in 51 children born after APS diagnosis as compared to 48 children born before. PAPS patients displayed lower QoL in physical and, to a greater extent, mental scores compared to the general Italian population. Both components were significantly lower in women and in patients with fatigue.ConclusionThe AQUEOUS study assessed for the first time the unmet needs of young PAPS patients, enabling the development o future "youth-focused" strategy to reduce disease burden.

Psychosocial burden in young patients with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome: an Italian nationwide survey (The AQUEOUS study) / C. Chighizola, F. Crisafulli, A. Hoxha, F. Carubbi, M. Bellan, S. Monti, L. Costa, C. Baldi, M. Radin, E. Praino, L. Coletto, F. Pregnolato, S. Sciascia, P. Sainaghi, E. Bellis, V. Ramoni, L. Quartuccio, A. Alunno, M. Gerosa, L. Andreoli. - In: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY. - ISSN 0392-856X. - 39:5(2021 Sep), pp. 938-946.

Psychosocial burden in young patients with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome: an Italian nationwide survey (The AQUEOUS study)

C. Chighizola
Primo
;
L. Coletto;F. Pregnolato;M. Gerosa
Penultimo
;
2021

Abstract

ObjectiveThe AQUEOUS (Anti-phospholipid syndrome: a QUEstionnaire for yOUng patientS) study aimed to assess how the diagnosis of primary anti-phospholipid syndrome (PAPS) affects the psychosocial status of young patients.MethodsSubjects with PAPS aged 18-45 years were invited to compile an ad hoc designed questionnaire and the Short Form-12 to assess quality of life (QoL).ResultsNinety-two patients (83.7% females) were recruited in 10 Italian centres. Vascular and obstetric nianifestations were equally represented. Nearly half of the patients perceived the need for psychological support, 892% when considering women after pregnancy complications. Social activities and working efficiency were reduced in APS patients, also intimacy was threatened. In all cases, fatigue appeared to be the main determinant. PAPS affected family planning, due to fears o f treatment side-effects, disease hereditariness, inability to care for the newborn child. Fertility appeared to be conserved: the median time to pregnancy was 2 months; assisted reproduction techniques were pursued by 5 women. Our survey documented significantly lower rates of hospitalisation and learning disabilities in 51 children born after APS diagnosis as compared to 48 children born before. PAPS patients displayed lower QoL in physical and, to a greater extent, mental scores compared to the general Italian population. Both components were significantly lower in women and in patients with fatigue.ConclusionThe AQUEOUS study assessed for the first time the unmet needs of young PAPS patients, enabling the development o future "youth-focused" strategy to reduce disease burden.
anti-phospholipid syndrome; young patients; psychosocial burden; unmet needs; survey
Settore MED/16 - Reumatologia
set-2021
16-set-2020
https://www.clinexprheumatol.org/a.asp?IDArchivio=252
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/905656
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