@article{FroehlichZahnerSchmalzingetal.2023,
  author    = {Froehlich, Matthias and Zahner, Antonia and Schmalzing, Marc and Gernert, Michael and Strunz, Patrick-Pascal and Hueper, Sebastian and Portegys, Jan and Schwaneck, Eva Christina and Gadeholt, Ottar and K{\"u}bler, Andrea and Hewig, Johannes and Ziebell, Philipp},
  title     = {Patient-reported outcomes provide evidence for increased depressive symptoms and increased mental impairment in giant cell arteritis},
  series = {Frontiers in Medicine},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Medicine},
  doi       = {10.3389/fmed.2023.1146815},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-319761},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Objectives The spectrum of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) represents highly inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Patients mostly report severe physical impairment. Possible consequences for mental health have been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate psychological well-being in the context of GCA and PMR. Methods Cross-sectional study with N = 100 patients with GCA and/or PMR (GCA-PMR). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were measured using the Short Form 36 Version 2 (SF-36v2) and visual analog scale (VAS) assessment. Moreover, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used in 35 of 100 patients to detect depression. To compare PROs with physician assessment, VAS was also rated from physician perspective. To assess a possible association with inflammation itself, serological parameters of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) were included. Results In all scales of the SF-36v2 except General Health (GH) and in the physical and mental sum score (PCS, MCS), a significant impairment compared to the German reference collective was evident (MCS: d = 0.533, p < 0.001). In the PHQ-9 categorization, 14 of the 35 (40\%) showed evidence of major depression disorder. VAS Patient correlated significantly with PHQ-9 and SF-36 in all categories, while VAS Physician showed only correlations to physical categories and not in the mental dimensions. Regarding inflammatory parameters, linear regression showed CRP to be a complementary significant positive predictor of mental health subscale score, independent of pain. Conclusion PRO show a relevant impairment of mental health up to symptoms of major depression disorder. The degree of depressive symptoms is also distinctly associated with the serological inflammatory marker CRP.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GrappEllKiermeieretal.2022,
  author    = {Grapp, Miriam and Ell, Johanna and Kiermeier, Senta and Haun, Markus W. and K{\"u}bler, Andrea and Friederich, Hans-Christoph and Maatouk, Imad},
  title     = {Feasibility study of a self-guided internet-based intervention for family caregivers of patients with cancer (OAse)},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-022-21157-9},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300537},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Despite high levels of distress, family caregivers of patients with cancer rarely seek psychosocial support and Internet-based interventions (IBIs) are a promising approach to reduce some access barriers. Therefore, we developed a self-guided IBI for family caregivers of patients with cancer (OAse), which, in addition to patients' spouses, also addresses other family members (e.g., adult children, parents). This study aimed to determine the feasibility of OAse (recruitment, dropout, adherence, participant satisfaction). Secondary outcomes were caregivers' self-efficacy, emotional state, and supportive care needs. N = 41 family caregivers participated in the study (female: 65\%), mostly spouses (71\%), followed by children (20\%), parents (7\%), and friends (2\%). Recruitment (47\%), retention (68\%), and adherence rates (76\% completed at least 4 of 6 lessons) support the feasibility of OAse. Overall, the results showed a high degree of overall participant satisfaction (96\%). There were no significant pre-post differences in secondary outcome criteria, but a trend toward improvement in managing difficult interactions/emotions (p = .06) and depression/anxiety (p = .06). Although the efficacy of the intervention remains to be investigated, our results suggest that OAse can be well implemented in caregivers' daily lives and has the potential to improve family caregivers' coping strategies.},
  language  = {en}
}