Psychiatry Investig.  2017 Nov;14(6):795-800. 10.4306/pi.2017.14.6.795.

Psychological Problems of Pneumothorax According to Resilience, Stress, and Post-Traumatic Stress

• Kim D
• Shin HJ
• Kim SW
• Hong JM
• Lee KS
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2402406
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2017.14.6.795

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aims of the study were to investigate psychological distress in pneumothorax patients.
METHODS
A cohort study was performed in 101 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. They were divided into three groups: (A) under 19 years old, (B) those of an intermediate age, and (C) over 45 years old. General well-being [Psychological Wellbeing Index-Short Form (PWI-SF)], traumatic event [Impact of Event Scale (IES)], and resilience [Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R)] were assessed.
RESULTS
There were 35 patients in Group A, 51 in B, and 15 in C. The mean length of hospital stay was five days in all patients. The overall recurrence rate after surgery was 8%. All patients were under severe stress and reported an average PWI-SF score of 39. The IES score was 27, which did not meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder but was higher in Group C than in the other groups (p=0.02). Age and operation were significant factors for a high IES, but age was the only significant factor according to multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSION
Pneumothorax patients may be at high risk for severe stress. Moreover, post-traumatic stress was higher in elderly patients. Actions to reduce the psychological problems in these patients are required.

Keyword

Pneumothorax; Distress; Well-being; Resilience

MeSH Terms

Aged
Cohort Studies
Humans
Length of Stay
Multivariate Analysis
Pneumothorax*
Recurrence
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic