Key words
Somatic illness - chronic illness - mental disorders - capacities - comorbidities
- ICF
Schlüsselwörter
Somatische Erkrankung - chronische Erkrankung - psychische Erkrankung - Fähigkeiten
- Komorbidität - ICFpublished
DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders
ICF International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Mini-ICF-APP Observer rating for psychomental capacity impairments
MINI Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview
Introduction
Mental disorders occur in about one-fourth of the general population. They are often
chronic and coming along with enduring psychological capacity impairments and work
performance problems [1]. Similar to the
general epidemiology [2], also a relevant
amount of patients with somatic diseases suffer from comorbid mental disorders [3]. In some cases, these are true
comorbidities, i. e. independent mental disorders which in most cases have
already been present for a long time and even before the somatic illness. In other
cases, mental health problems occur as a by-phenomenon due to a somatic illness,
e. g. problems in affect regulation after a stroke or heart infarction, or
anxiety which may arise after acute somatic event or acute treatment [4]. Anyway, when there are mental health
symptoms, psychological capacities may be impaired.
Psychological capacities become more and more important for work ability in most
professions [5] and in daily life.
Comorbidity may potentially increase the degree of psychological capacity impairment
[6]
[7]. In patients with comorbid somatic and mental disorders, not only
motor or sensory functions may be impaired, but also psychological capacities. But,
in contrast to patients with mental disorders only, the impairment in comorbid
patients can be partly due to the somatic illness. For example, an agoraphobic
patient (mental disorder) cannot use the bus because s/he is afraid
of a panic attack). An orthopedic patient (somatic disorder) may be unable to
use the bus because s/he cannot step in (capacity impairment due to a
somatic problem). In addition, an orthopedic patient may be unable to use the bus
because s/he is afraid that s/he cannot step in (capacity impairment
due to a somatic-associated anxiety problem), or because s/he is afraid of a
panic attack (capacity impairment due to an additional anxiety problem besides the
somatic problem).
There are presently no data about the type and distribution of psychological capacity
impairments in patients with comorbid somatic and mental disorders. These data are
however important for estimation of diagnostic and therapy requirements.
Furthermore, description of type and degree of psychological capacity impairments
is
essentially for work ability description, which is an important task in
psychosomatic medicine. This research takes a first step to fill this gap by
investigating capacity impairment in patients who suffer from mixed somatic and
mental disorders at the same time.
Objectives are:
-
How many of patients with comorbid somatic and mental disorders suffer
from clinically relevant psychological capacity impairments according
to Mini-ICF-APP?
-
Do patients with different somatic diseaeses and mental disorders have
different psychological capacity impairments?
-
Do patients with somatic and mental disorders have similar or different
psychological capacity (impairment) profiles than patients with
mental disorders?
Materials and Methods
Study design and setting
Incoming patients in three rehabilitation clinics (cardiology, orthopedy,
neurology) were investigated in a diagnostic interview in 2012–2014.
According to the clinic´s quality report of the period the investigation
took place, cardiological patients were most often treated in the clinic due to
ICD diagnosis of state after acute myocardial infarction (30.2%),
essential hypertension (31.4%), chronic ischemic heart disease
(14.0%) [8]. Orthopedic patients
were most often treated due to koxarthrosis (22.2%), gonarthrosis
(19.3%), and other disc damages (13.6%). Neurological patients
(phasis D) were treated most often due to state after brain insult
(41.3%), multiple sclerosis (4.8%), hemiparesis and hemiplegia
(3.5%) [8].
All patients admitted to the three clinics who were aged 18–64 years, who
were mobile and cognitively able to participate in the routine rehabilitation
program, were invited for participation in the study. These consecutive patients
got an initial date in their rehabilitation schedule which included information
on the study and agreement for participation. If they agreed to participation, a
structured interview was done including sociodemographic and work
characteristics, followed by present and lifetime mental disorders, assessed
with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI [9]). If patients fulfilled criteria of any
mental disorder according to MINI, these patients were additionally investigated
concerning psychological capacity impairments according to the Mini-ICF-APP
[10].
These interviews lasted about 60–90 minutes and were all
conducted by the same behavior therapist who had more than ten years of training
in rehabilitation medicine and diagnostic of capacity impairments (B.M.). From
1619 patients invited, 1610 participated in the diagnostic interview (505
cardiological, 290 orthopedic, 815 neurological). 402 patients reported mental
disorders according to the MINI and were additionally interviewed concerning
psychological capacity impairments (Mini-ICF-APP).
Patients participated in this study with written informed consent. The study was
reviewed and approved by the ethics and data protection committee of the
University of Potsdam.
Instruments
Capacity impairments assessed with Mini-ICF-APP. The Mini-ICF-APP
[10]
[11] is an observer rating instrument that is internationally
evaluated and translated [12]
[13]
[14]
[15] and established in
social medicine [16]
[17]
[18]
[19] to measure capacity
impairments in the context of mental disorders. It offers a selection of
capacity dimensions derived from the WHO´s International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, ICF. The
Mini-ICF-APP capacity impairment assessment is observer rated and the usual time
frame for present capacity impairment is the last two weeks. It has been
validated with the Groningen Social Disability Interview [20].
The Mini-ICF-APP assesses psychological capacities which are often required in
modern life and work contexts, and which are often impaired due to mental
disorders. The capacity dimensions have been derived by content analysis with
reference to the chapter of activities and participation of the ICF [21]. The thirteen capacity dimensions are
assessed with the Mini-ICF-APP: (1) adherence to regulations, (2) planning and
structuring tasks, (3) flexibility, (4) applying expertise, (5) capacity to
judge and decide, (6) endurance, (7) assertiveness, (8) contacts with others,
(9) teamwork and group interaction capacity (10) dyadic relationships, (11)
proactivity, (12) self-care, and (13) mobility. Each dimension is explored by
the interviewer according to the manual [10]
[11], and the impairment is
rated on a five-point Likert scale: 0=no limitations, 1=mild
limitations without problems in the environmental context,
2=moderate limitations causing problems in the environment,
3=severe limitations causing problems and the necessity for
assistance, and 4=total limitations and exemption from all specific
role duties in the context of reference. Anchor definitions for each
item are provided in the rating manual [10]. Clinically relevant capacity impairments occur when an
impairment has reached a quality which make assistance by thirds necessary. In
the Mini-ICF-APP assessments, clinically relevant impairments are those rated
with “3=assistance is needed in order to fulfill the activities
related to this capacity” or “4=complete
impairment”.
Inter-rater reliability varies from r=.70 (untrained raters) to
r=.90 (trained raters) [10]. The Mini-ICF-APP has become a standard capacity assessment
instrument in social-medicine, as guidelines show [17]
[18]
[19].
The Mini-ICF-APP exploration [10]
[11] and rating was conducted with reference
to the present work context of the patients (e. g. present workplace, or
– if presently unemployed - any workplace on the general labor market).
The choice of this context is according to the social medicine routine for work
ability assessment in rehabilitation clinics.
Sociodemographic characteristics
. In the interview, patients were
asked whether or not they had planned or applied for disability pension, and
about their cumulated sick leave duration in the past twelve months in
weeks.
Mental disorders. All investigated patients were explored for mental
disorders according to DSM criteria by means of the internationally established
Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) [9], which covers the broad range of common
mental disorders (anxiety, depression, adjustment, addiction, personality
disorder).
Statistical analysis
Data have been analyzed with SPSS. Descriptive statistics ([Tab. 1]), and group comparisons by
Chi2-Test ([Tab. 2]) or
T-Test for independent samples ([Fig.
1]), and analysis of variance (ANOVA, with Bonferroni correction) have
been calculated. An additional covariance analysis was conducted in order to
check for influence of selected sociodemographics.
Fig 1 Capacity impairments according to Mini-ICF-APP in patients
with somatic and mental disorders and patients with mental disorders
(cited from Linden et al., 2009). Means and significance level of
differences in independent T-tests are reported.; Note: Judgment
and decision making was not included in the early Mini-ICF-APP version
used in 2009. Therefore data of psychosomatic rehabilitation patients
are only available from the present (psycho-somatic comorbid) study
cohort.
Tab 1 Characteristics of patients from different somatic
indications who suffer from chronic mental health problems. Means
(standard deviation) for continuous variables are reported.
Percentages for frequencies are reported. Chi2 -Test and
ANOVA (Overall analysis, and Post-Hoc tests with Bonferroni
correction for multiple testing) have been calculated.
|
Cardiology (n=106)
|
Orthopedy (n=64)
|
Neurology (n=232)
|
All (N=402)
|
Significance of difference between the groups (ANOVA,
X
2)
p
|
Gender male
|
70.8%
|
18.8%
|
48.7%
|
49.8%
|
.000
|
Age
|
52.42 (6.60)
|
50.80 (8.08)
|
49.30 (8.91)
|
50.36 (8.32)
|
overall test:
.005
Pairwise
comparisons:
CvsN.004
|
Sick leave duration past 12 months in weeks
|
8.42 (14.74)
|
20.39 (21.13)
|
7.86 (15.33)
|
10.00 (16.82)
|
overall test:
.000
Pairwise
comparisons:
OvsN.000
OvsC.000
|
Disability pension
|
|
|
|
|
.000
|
– planned
|
13.2%
|
21.9%
|
6.9%
|
10.9%
|
|
– applied for
|
3.8%
|
14.1%
|
5.2%
|
6.2%
|
|
Presently employed
|
77.1%
|
70.3%
|
84.8%
|
80.5%
|
.021
|
Number of lifetime mental disorders according to MINI
|
0.91 (1.16)
|
1.14 (1.45)
|
1.25 (1.46)
|
1.14 (1.39)
|
.074
|
Note: Overall test signals that there are any differences between
the three groups. Pairwise comparisons (Post-Hoc tests in ANOVA) compare
the indicative groups directly: CvsN Cardiology versus Neurology, OvsN
Orthopedy versus Neurology, OvsC Orthopedy versus Cardiology.
Tab 2 Psychological capacity impairments according to
Mini-ICF-APP in patients from different somatic indications who
suffer from chronic mental health problems. Means (standard
deviation) for continuous variables are reported. Percentages for
frequencies of clinically relevant impairment (capacity impairment
rating 3 or 4) and means of impairment (standard deviation) are
reported. Chi2 -Test and ANOVA (Overall analysis, and
Post-Hoc tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple testing) have
been calculated.
Mini-ICF-APP capacity dimensions (impairment degrees were
rated 0–4)
|
Cardiology (n=106)
|
Orthopedy (n=64)
|
Neurology (n=232)
|
All (N=402)
|
Significance of difference between the groups (ANOVA,
X
2) p
|
Adherence to regulations
|
0.59 (0.82) 2.8%
|
0.92 (0.96) 6.3%
|
0.83 (0.96) 7.7%
|
0.78 (0.93) 6.2%
|
Overall .038
X
2.230
|
Planning and structuring tasks
|
0.70 (0.85) 5.7%
|
0.83 (0.81) 3.1%
|
1.00 (0.97) 9.9%
|
0.89 (0.93) 7.7%
|
Overall .020 CvsN
.020
X
2.135
|
Flexibility
|
1.41 (1.04) 15.2%
|
1.94 (0.85) 25.0%
|
1.67 (0.96) 22.3%
|
1.65 (0.98) 20.9%
|
Overall .002 CvsO
.002
X
2.226
|
Capacity to judge and decide
|
1.25 (1.05) 15.2%
|
1.69 (1.02) 17.2%
|
1.50 (0.99) 17.8%
|
1.47 (1.02) 17.0%
|
Overall .016 CvsO
.019
X
2.843
|
Endurance
|
1.76 (1.04) 26.4%
|
1.86 (1.06) 28.6%
|
1.92 (1.08) 36.8%
|
1.87 (1.07) 32.8%
|
Overall .470
X
2.126
|
Contacts with others
|
0.68 (0.99) 5.7%
|
0.89 (0.98) 3.1%
|
0.69 (0.95) 6.0%
|
0.72 (0.97) 5.5%
|
Overall .296
X
2.081
|
Teamwork capacity
|
0.71 (1.13) 8.6%
|
1.23 (1.27) 14.0%
|
0.86 (1.05) 6.9%
|
0.88 (1.12) 8.5%
|
Overall .012 CvsO
.010
X
2.190
|
Assertiveness
|
1.26 (1.14) 16.2%
|
1.78 (1.17) 28.1%
|
1.41 (1.21) 26.7%
|
1.43 (1.20) 24.2%
|
Overall .021 CvsO
.017
X
2.081
|
Mobility
|
0.31 (0.79) 4.7%
|
0.84 (1.16) 15.6%
|
0.65 (1.07) 10.3%
|
0.59 (1.03) 9.7%
|
Overall .002 CvsO .003 CvsN
.014
X
2.058
|
Applying expertise
|
0.94 (1.1) 14.3%
|
1.38 (1.23) 25.0%
|
1.30 (1.15) 19.8%
|
1.22 (1.16) 19.2%
|
Overall .016 CvsN
.025
X
2.214
|
Proactivity
|
0.56 (0.78) 1.9%
|
0.88 (0.93) 6.3%
|
0.72 (0.88) 5.2%
|
0.71 (0.87) 4.5%
|
Overall .067
X
2.309
|
Dyadic (familiar and intimate) relationships
|
0.56 (0.88) 3.8%
|
0.70 (0.90) 3.1%
|
0.60 (0.81) 0.9%
|
0.61 (0.84) 2.0%
|
Overall .564
X
2.159
|
Self care
|
0.42 (0.78) 1.9%
|
0.67 (0.93) 6.2%
|
0.40 (0.68) 1.7%
|
0.45 (0.75) 2.5%
|
Overall .031 OvsN .028
|
Any clinically relevant capacity impairment
|
50.5%
|
71.9%
|
67.0%
|
63.5%
|
X
2.004
|
Number of clinically relevant capacity impairment
|
0: 49.5% 1: 23.8% > 1:
26.7%
|
0: 28.1% 1: 29.7% > 1:
42.2%
|
0: 33.1% 1: 24.6% > 1:
42.4%
|
0: 36.5% 1: 25.2% > 1:
38.3%
|
X
2.014
|
Sum of clinically relevant capacity impairment
|
1.20 (1.81)
|
1.81 (1.97)
|
1.70 (2.03)
|
1.59 (1.98)
|
Overall .058
|
Mini-ICF-APP capacity limitations mean
|
0.88 (0.65)
|
1.20 (0.63)
|
1.05 (0.61)
|
1.03 (0.63)
|
Overall .004 OvsC .003 OvsN .056
|
Note: Overall test signals that there are any differences between
the three groups. Pairwise comparisons (Post-Hoc tests in ANOVA) compare
the indicative groups directly: CvsN Cardiology versus Neurology, OvsN
Orthopedy versus Neurology, OvsC Orthopedy versus Cardiology.
Results
Patients´ characteristics
From 1619 patients invited, 1610 participated in the diagnostic interview (505
cardiological, 290 orthopedic, 815 neurological, [Tab. 1]). 402 patients reported additional
mental disorders and were additionally interviewed concerning psychological
capacity impairments. Patients were on average 50 years of age. 11%
planned and 6% have already applied for disability pension.
Men were overrepresented in cardiology (70%), and women in orthopedy
(81.2%).
Orthopedic patients had most often applied for disability pension (14%),
had longest past sick leave durations (20 weeks). Number of mental disorders was
similarly distributed in the three indications. In orthopedic patients, there
were tendentially more often hypochondriasis (O: 4.4%, C: 3.6%,
N: 0.8%, p=.085, Chi2-Test) and agoraphobia
(O: 29.4%, C: 7.1%, N: 12.9%, p<.001,
Chi2-Test), i. e. anxiety syndromes with avoidance
behavior.
Frequencies of clinically relevant capacity disorders
In all three somatic indications at least half of the patients had any clinically
relevant capacity impairment (i. e. rating 3 or 4, with need for support
from thirds). Neurological patients (67%) and orthopedic patients
(72%) were more often affected than cardiological patients
(50.5%) ([Tab. 2]). 25.2%
of all patients had one clinically relevant capacity impairment, and
38.3% had two or more capacity impairments. In orthopedic and
neurological patients, 42% had two or more capacity impairments.
Types of capacity impairments in different somatic diseases
Capacity impairments vary slightly, but are on average rather similarly
distributed in the three groups of patients ([Tab. 2]). There is a tendency that orthopedic patients are slightly
more impaired in self-care, neurological and orthopedic patients more impaired
in mobility, and cardiological patients are less impaired in assertiveness.
Altogether, orthopedic patients are most frequenty impaired with any clinically
relevant capacity impairment (O: 71.9% as compared to C: 50.5 and N:
67%), and have on average the highest impairment mean score over all 13
capacity dimensions (M
O=1.20 versus
M
C=0.88 and
M
N=1.05).
Because the patient groups are naturally varying in composition of gender and
some basic characteristics, an additional analysis with covariates age, gender
and sick leave duration has been conducted. Significant influences were seen for
past sick leave duration (Pillai trace p=.002), and gender
(p=.042), which were not equally distributed in the three
samples. There were no differential effects related with age
(p=.917).
Capacity impairments in patients with mental disorders as compared with
patients with mental and somatic illness
In order to compare capacity profiles of patients with mental disorders to our
here investigated comorbid patients, we refer to findings from an investigation
in 213 psychosomatic rehabilitation patients with diverse common mental
disorders [10] (without treatment-relevant
severe acute or chronic somatic illness). The patients with mental disorders
were mostly women (70%), on average 45 years old, 41% were unfit
for work at intake. 61% had anxiety or stress-related disorders,
29% affective disorders, and 10% personality disorders.
T-Tests for independent samples have been calculated by using means and standard
deviation data from the here investigated patients and the published data on the
psychosomatic patients [10]. It can be
seen that the overall profile of capacity impairments is similar in both groups
([Fig. 1]): Flexibility, planning and
structuring, and endurance were most strongly impaired in both groups, whereas
mobility and self-care had comparatively low impairments.
In comparison with patients with mental disorders patients with mental and
somatic disorders had stronger levels of capacity impairment in seven capacity
dimensions (adherence to regulations, planning, assertiveness, expertise,
proactivity, self-care, and especially endurance). But, they were similar in
five other capacities: flexibility, contacts, teamwork, mobility, and dyadic
relations. Differences were on average not very strong: Cohens d effect size of
difference in the overall capacity impairment degree was d=0.31.
Discussion
Psychological capacity impairment occurs in patients with comorbid somatic
and mental disorders
The here investigated typical rehabilitation patients with somatic diseases who
suffer from comorbid mental disorders have in 50–70% of cases
relevant psychological capacity impairments. There is a similar ranking of the
types of capacity impairment in all three somatic indication groups.
In comparison to patients with only chronic mental disorders the profile of
capacity impairments is similar
[10]. This makes sense, as it signals that patients with mental
disorders have psychological capacity problems, may there be a comorbid somatic
illness or not.
Orthopedic patients had highest capacity limitations and longest sick leave
duration, and were also least often employed. Social-medicine status (sick
leave) and employment status may thus be overall indicators for capacity
limitations, which then need to be explored clinically in detail.
Specific psychological capacity dimensions may be affected by somatic
disorders
Regarding the capacity dimensions in detail, there are two important
findings:
Firstly, there is a range of capacities which were not higher impaired in
comorbid patients than in those with mental disorders. These are flexibility,
mobility, dyadic relations, proactivity, contacts, teamwork, planning and
structuring.
The second finding ist that some capacity dimensions were stronger
impaired in patients with psycho-somatic comorbidity (than in mental
disorder patients): endurance, assertiveness, expertise. This stronger
impairment may give a hint that there are specific capacities which may be
impaired by both somatic and mental disorder. Hereby comorbidity might increase
the intensity of impairment. Our data give a hint that endurance might be one
such capacity: Endurance can be needed on a cognitive, social or physical level.
Endurance is a basic demand in a normal working day and here means to be able to
work about eight hours. Patients with vital exhaustion due to any reason are
often impaired in endurance. Vital exhaustion may occur in many somatic illness
(e. g. after heart or brain insult), as well as in many mental disorders
(e. g. depression or anxiety disorder). Therefore both mental as well as
somatic disorder might impact on endurance.
Judging capacity impairment in clinical practice
An interesting and practically important aspect is what the capacity impairment
data mean for clinical practice: On the first view, the overall degree of
impairment might seem as not very high: the total score of capacity impairment
is on average 1.3 on a scale from no impairment (0) to full impairment (4). But,
there are 63.5% of the investigated patients who have at least one
clinically relevant impairment which means need for support, and 38%
with even more capacities relevantly impaired. This signals that patients with
comorbid somatic and mental disorders have participation-relevant problems.
These mean an indication for rehabilitative action also in the domain of
psychological aspects, especially endurance, flexibility, assertiveness, as has
been discussed already from a clinical point of view [6]
[7]. The overall mean score of capacity impairment over all 13 dimensions
is of low relevance for clinical practice [11]. The assed capacities are 13 different capacities which
each for itself include very different activities (e. g. cognitive,
interactional, and basic activities) and each capacity dimension may have a
specific impact. A patient may have only one impaired capacity, such as
mobility (e. g. patient cannot drive a vehicle due to agoraphobic
anxiety), but in case this is a relevant capacity for him (e. g.
the patient is bus driver), the patient is fully unfit for work due to his
mobility impairment. In contrast, there might be other cases, in which several
moderately impaired capacities do not impact very much in sum: E.g. a patient
with moderate impairment in contacts, teamwork and dyadic relationships who is
living on his own and has a single place office job, does not have severe
consequences due to his interactional deficits. Thus, in clinical practice,
impairment degree and needs for treatment cannot be concluded dependent on the
overall mean score of capacity impairment [10]. Clinical exploration is needed to find out which capacities are
relevant in daily and professional life and whether capacity demands cannot be
fulfilled due to respective impairments the patient has in these dimensions. In
the context of work ability, this relational description of a person´s
fit to specific demands is known as person-job-fit [22]
[23], and it is also a core idea in the relational interactive health
model of the ICF [21].
Limitations and Outlook
In this present study, we used the Mini-ICF-APP for assessment and description of
quantitative capacity impairments. The Mini-ICF-APP is an internationally
established assessment instrument and often used for social-medicine purposes in
patients with mental disorders [11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]. Other ICF-based instruments have been developed in the area of
mental health as well [e. g. 24, 25]. We chose to use the Mini-ICF-APP
here because it is the only instrument which consistently measures
psychological capacities and nothing else. These thirteen capacities
are relevant in daily and working life and which are often impaired by common
mental disorders. The Mini-ICF-APP does not include symptoms, which is sometimes
the case in other ICF-based measures. For example, the ICF items like
“sensation of pain”, or “muscle power functions”
which are included in an ICF core set [24]
describe functional problems, but not capacities in the sense of activity
groups. Furthermore, it could be questioned whether such specific ICF-items such
as “hand and arm use” or “fine hand use” are
important for assessment of impairment for the range of common mental disorders
such as anxiety, depression, personality disorders. Such physical aspects might
be relevant in rather specific (but not all, see frequency of disc problems)
orthopedic or neurological disorders. In the investigated patient samples
however, we find the broad range of mental disorders, and for psychological
capacity impairment description (as is the aim here), psychological capacity
dimensions are necessary.This study is a cross-sectional observation study and
thus lacks an investigation of capacity impairments over the course of illness
development. Further research should investigate whether and to which degree
psychological capacity impairments may decrease when the somatic or the mental
illness (or both) is remitting.
Another further research question is, whether some somatic rehabilitation
patients without mental disorders do also suffer from psychological symptoms and
capacity impairments, and to which degree. Somatic illness may come along with
mental health symptoms in the sense of accompanying symptoms which are not
mental disorders as such [4]. For example,
as neurological illness is by definition affecting brain functions and makes
accompanying mental health symptoms in form of reduced mood and reduced learning
ability, speech problems, memory problems, it may be that also patients with
mental health problems due to somatic illness may suffer from psychological
capacity impairments. Differential diagnostic of “somatic patients with
accompanying mental health symptoms”, and “somatic patients with
mental disorders” needs further research and differentiation, also on
the level of capacity impairment diagnostic and treatment.
Conclusion
The findings from this study are important as they can help to estimate diagnostic
and therapeutic needs in respect to psychological capacity training or compensation
of capacity impairments in patients with chronic illness. The Mini-ICF-APP makes it
possible to describe type and degree of psychological capacity impairment, which is
an essential aspect in work ability decisions and descriptions [16]
[17]
[18]
[19]. It is also useful in somatic indications
for patients with mental comorbidity, 63.5% of whom suffer from any
psychological capacity impairment.
Clinical messages
-
Patients with comorbid chronic somatic illness and mental disorders have
similar psychological capacity impairments like patients with chronic
mental health disorders.
-
The data are important in order to estimate diagnostic and therapeutic
needs in respect to psychological capacity training or compensation of
capacity impairments in patients with both mental and somatic
illness.
Research protocol approval
Research protocol approval
The study protocol (including research questions and outcome measures) was reviewed
and approved by the German federal Pension Fund rehabilitation research review
board.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Patients participated in this study with written informed consent. All procedures
performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the
ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee
and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable
ethical standards. The study was reviewed and approved by the data protection
committee of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund and the ethics committee of the
University of Potsdam in 2012.
Authors contribution
B.M. attracted the study´s funding, planned and conducted the study, analysed
the data and wrote the manuscript. M.J. assisted study conduction and added somatic
medicine content to the research.