Disease Burden, Psychological Well-Being and Attitudes regarding the Set of Emergency Medication in Adults with Insect Venom Allergy
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Disease Burden, Psychological Well-Being and Attitudes regarding the Set of Emergency Medication in Adults with Insect Venom Allergy. / Schaarschmidt, Marthe-Lisa; Gutknecht, Mandy; Schoeben, Lisa; Schmieder, Astrid.
In: INT ARCH ALLERGY IMM, Vol. 176, No. 2, 2018, p. 150-156.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Disease Burden, Psychological Well-Being and Attitudes regarding the Set of Emergency Medication in Adults with Insect Venom Allergy
AU - Schaarschmidt, Marthe-Lisa
AU - Gutknecht, Mandy
AU - Schoeben, Lisa
AU - Schmieder, Astrid
N1 - © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - BACKGROUND: Insect venom allergy is common and greatly impairs patients' quality of life. Additionally, low compliance with carrying emergency medication is reported. The aim of our study was to analyze the disease burden, levels of anxiety and depression, and to evaluate attitudes towards the set of emergency medication in affected patients.METHODS: Between April 2016 and January 2017, patients ≥18 years visiting our department because of an insect venom allergy were asked to complete a paper-based questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed willingness to pay (WTP), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), subjective anxiety levels, willingness to carry the set of emergency medication, self-assurance in using it, compliance with carrying it, and reasons for not always carrying it.RESULTS: 55 patients (81.8% wasp allergy) were included. On average, WTP for a complete cure was EUR 1,727 (median: 500). Using the HADS, 14.5% showed definite anxiety disorders while 5.5% had significant depression disorders. Most patients stated to carry the emergency medication "always" (25.5%) or "almost always" (47.3%). "Forgetfulness" (36.4%) was reported as the main reason for not always carrying the medication, followed by "too big" (18.2%).CONCLUSIONS: In our patient cohort, insect venom allergy was associated with a moderate disease burden and a good compliance with carrying the emergency medication. However, several of our participants demonstrated borderline or significant anxiety and/or depression disorders. In this regard, this study highlights the necessity to regularly ask the patient about the psychological well-being to identify patients needing psychological support.
AB - BACKGROUND: Insect venom allergy is common and greatly impairs patients' quality of life. Additionally, low compliance with carrying emergency medication is reported. The aim of our study was to analyze the disease burden, levels of anxiety and depression, and to evaluate attitudes towards the set of emergency medication in affected patients.METHODS: Between April 2016 and January 2017, patients ≥18 years visiting our department because of an insect venom allergy were asked to complete a paper-based questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed willingness to pay (WTP), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), subjective anxiety levels, willingness to carry the set of emergency medication, self-assurance in using it, compliance with carrying it, and reasons for not always carrying it.RESULTS: 55 patients (81.8% wasp allergy) were included. On average, WTP for a complete cure was EUR 1,727 (median: 500). Using the HADS, 14.5% showed definite anxiety disorders while 5.5% had significant depression disorders. Most patients stated to carry the emergency medication "always" (25.5%) or "almost always" (47.3%). "Forgetfulness" (36.4%) was reported as the main reason for not always carrying the medication, followed by "too big" (18.2%).CONCLUSIONS: In our patient cohort, insect venom allergy was associated with a moderate disease burden and a good compliance with carrying the emergency medication. However, several of our participants demonstrated borderline or significant anxiety and/or depression disorders. In this regard, this study highlights the necessity to regularly ask the patient about the psychological well-being to identify patients needing psychological support.
KW - Adult
KW - Aged
KW - Anxiety
KW - Attitude to Health
KW - Cost of Illness
KW - Depression
KW - Emergencies
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Hypersensitivity
KW - Insect Bites and Stings
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Patient Compliance
KW - Wasp Venoms
KW - Journal Article
U2 - 10.1159/000488721
DO - 10.1159/000488721
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 29768265
VL - 176
SP - 150
EP - 156
JO - INT ARCH ALLERGY IMM
JF - INT ARCH ALLERGY IMM
SN - 1018-2438
IS - 2
ER -