1,721,011 research outputs found
Central sensitization symptoms in vulvodynia: exploring the role of temperament, personality traits, childhood adverse events, defense mechanisms, and mental pain on quality of life
No full textBackground Vulvodynia is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by persistent vulvar pain, occurring without clinically identifiable disorders. Central sensitization (CS) is suggested to play a role in the pathophysiology of vulvodynia, as for other nociplastic pain conditions.Aim This study delves into the complex interplay between psychosocial factors and CS burden in women with vulvodynia, aiming to identify potential predictors (temperament, personality traits, childhood adverse events, defense mechanisms, and mental pain) and understand their impact on quality of life (QoL).Methods A cohort-based cross-sectional web survey of 357 women with vulvodynia.Outcomes Outcomes included 8 self-report measures to assess the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and psychological variables, including sensory processing sensitivity, traumatic experiences, personality traits, defense mechanisms, and mental pain.Results Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted in study 1, revealing that the following predicted higher CSI scores in women with vulvodynia: higher emotional overexcitability, decreased low sensory threshold, increased bodily threat experiences, elevated psychoticism, greater use of immature and neurotic defense mechanisms, and heightened mental pain. The final regression model identified the following as the strongest predictors of CS: low sensory threshold (beta = 0.316), bodily threat experiences (beta = 0.145), neurotic defenses (beta = 0.210), and mental pain (beta = 0.269). In study 2, the model presented interactions among these psychological factors in predicting CSI values explaining 48.9% of the variance in CS, 30.3% in psychological QoL, and 57.1% in physical QoL.Clinical Translation This model opens discussion for tailored psychological interventions aimed to improve overall QoL in women with vulvodynia.Strengths and Limitations Strengths of the study include innovative insights into the interplay between psychological variables and the construct of CS and quality of life. As a limitation, the research was conducted as a cross-sectional study with self-reported measures.Conclusion The study calls for comprehensive assessments that consider physical and mental aspects, paving the way for holistic health care approaches in the management of vulvodynia
Central sensitivity in fibromyalgia: testing a model to explain the role of psychological factors on functioning and quality of life
No full textObjectives
Central sensitivity (CS) is defined as an increased responsiveness of nociceptive neurons in the central nervous system to normal or subthreshold inputs. CS has recently been linked to the psychological burden associated with chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia (FM). The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of specific psychological constructs on CS in patients with FM. In Study 1, we explore the influence of temperament, personality, childhood trauma, defence mechanisms, and mental pain on CS. In Study 2, our goal is to test the role of the best predictors of CS in influencing quality of life (QoL) and FM functioning through a path analysis model.
Methods
A total of 510 women with FM participated online, completing a self-administered protocol. Data collection took place between April and June of 2023.
Results
In Study 1, higher levels of low sensory threshold (β=0.210), traumatic experiences of physical threat (β=0.141), neurotic defences (β=0.124), and mental pain (β=0.241) emerged as the strongest predictors of increased CS. In Study 2, the presented model demonstrated a satisfactory fit (chi2=27.200; df=10; p=0.002; GFI=0.984; NFI=0.949; CFI=0.967; RMSEA=0.061 [95% CI 0.034-0.090]) with large and medium effect sizes on physical (-0.576) and psychological (-0.190) QoL.
Conclusions
The study underscores the pivotal role of psychological dimensions in influencing CS levels and their relationships with QoL in patients with FM
Role of sexuality in women with chronic pain: Results from an Italian cross-sectional study on chronic headache, fibromyalgia, and vulvodynia
No full textBackground/objectives
To compare sexual functioning, genital pain, and satisfaction among women diagnosed with various Chronic pain (CP) conditions. Additionally, it seeks to explore the role of sexual factors in predicting levels of central sensitization (indicative of CP-related mental and physical distress), physical, and mental quality of life (QoL) for each condition individually.
Methods
From April 2023 to January 2024, 1006 women categorized into five groups (Chronic Headache - CH; Fibromyalgia - FM, Vulvodynia - VU, Comorbidity group - CO, and Healthy Controls - HC) completed an online protocol.
Results
All groups reported sexual impairment: VU group exhibited the highest genital pain prevalence (97.93 %), followed by CO (74.29 %) and FM (55.91 %). ANCOVAs indicated lower sexual functioning scores for FM, VU, and CO compared to HC and CH. VU and CO reported lower satisfaction scores than other groups. Genital pain emerged as the primary predictor of central sensitization across all groups except controls. Regarding mental QoL, sexual satisfaction was significant for CH and CO, while genital pain and sexual satisfaction were significant for VU.
Conclusion
This study emphasizes the importance of integrating genito-pelvic pain assessment and addressing related sexual difficulties in CP diagnostics and care to enhance overall well-being and QoL
The Perception of the Quality of Professional Healthcare Assistance for the Management of Endometriosis: Findings from a National Survey in Italy
Full text linkProcreazione medicalmente assistita e maternità surrogata: stato dell’arte e prospettive future della genitorialità nelle coppie omosessuali
No full textLa genitorialità per le coppie omosessuali spesso
può transitare attraverso prassi e tecniche mediche che
includono la procreazione medicalmente assistita (PMA) o
la gravidanza surrogata (surrogacy). Il presente lavoro ha lo
scopo di riportare, attraverso una breve rassegna della letteratura,
i principali articoli riguardanti l’omogenitorialità e le
biotecnologie della riproduzione. Le significative differenze
riscontrate tra le pubblicazioni esaminate riguardano le
norme di legge che variano tra Stati, evidenziando l’attuale
contrarietà legislativa dell’Europa alla surrogacy
Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women with Diabetes: A Reflection of their Complications?
No full textBackground: Diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the worldwide leading causes of death, is associated with a plethora of micro- and macro-vascular complications which should be carefully investigated and, in case, treated in order to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of premature mortality.Objective: The study aimed to investigate and report current evidence with regard to the association between sexual dysfunction and diabetes.Methods: A detailed analysis of current literature has been performed on PubMed and Scholar in order to retrieve the most relevant findings pertaining to the study topic.Results: Female and male sexual dysfunction often occurs in diabetes; while cardiovascular complications are clearly involved, psychosexological factors, endocrine complications, and endothelial dysfunction all contribute to the pathogenesis of sexual dysfunctions. Psychological symptoms are seldom investigated, yet they should not be overlooked by the clinician; in fact, an interplay between sexual dysfunctions and depressive symptoms has been reported, and beneficial effects in both conditions might be obtained by adequate psychological support. Sexual dysfunctions can also act as early biomarkers of cardiovascular disease, a phenomenon frequently reported in men, in which erectile dysfunction predicts the development of coronary artery disease. Additionally, drug therapies can act in both directions, with treatments for diabetes possibly improving male sexual function and exerting beneficial effects for cardiovascular health being reported for pro-erectile drugs.Conclusion: Sexual dysfunctions often occur in men and women with diabetes. Investigating micro- and macro-vascular complications might not be enough to prevent the development or worsening of any sexual dysfunction; endocrine and psychological assessments are therefore needed to provide the best chances for adequate treatment
“I’m Too Old for That”: The Role of Ageism and Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs in Sexual Health in a Sample of Heterosexual and LGB Older Adults: A Pilot Study
Full text linkThe role of ageism (i.e., discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age), in particular toward the sexuality of the elderly, remains, to date, an overlooked issue. A few studies have suggested that ageistic stereotypes can negatively affect older adults’ sexual health. No data are available, in particular, about differences among heterosexual and LGB (lesbian, gay, and bisexual) populations. The present study aimed to investigate differences in perceived ageism and related dysfunctional beliefs in a sample of heterosexual (n = 104) and LGB (n = 103) older adults (aged 55 or older; mean age 66.5) and their impact on sexual health and satisfaction. LGB individuals reported higher rates of masturbation and sexual intercourse and an increased quality of sexual activity as compared to heterosexuals. In addition, no differences between the groups emerged as regards perceived ageism and dysfunctional beliefs toward ageing. In conclusion, LGB individuals perceived more ageism toward sexuality than their counterparts; however, heterosexuals were more likely to have dysfunctional beliefs toward sexuality in ageing. The study findings highlight the significance of examining sexual orientation to understand experiences of sexuality in ageing of the growing older population. Renewed socio-educational efforts based on these data are clearly needed
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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