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Depression can influence chronic disease patients' quality of life
By Staff Writer
An individual who suffers from both a chronic disease and depression may be at a higher risk of death and other complications. This is true of patients afflicted with the emotional disorder and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), according to new research.
For patients with CRS, depression can be a common problem, according to the study, which appears in the March 2011 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
In the study, researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with 76 patients prior to and six months after undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery, a procedure to clear clogged sinuses. Among these participants, 8 individuals had depression and 45 patients did not.
These patients were asked to complete standard medical history intake documentation and underwent a physical examination. In addition, they were asked to report a history of depression and any medication they were taking to treat the disorder.
Depressed CRS patients reported worse disease- and general health-related quality of life than patients without the disorder. Following surgery however, individuals in both groups experienced similar improvements.
The researchers feel that with better diagnosis of and treatment for depression from mental health and drug rehab facilities, CRS patients might see improvements in the outcomes of their care.
