[Comparative analysis of mood disturbances among elderly with chronic leukemia and dyscirculatory encephalopathy]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neurology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Mood disturbances significantly impact disease management and rehabilitation in elderly patients.
• Chronic leukemia (CL) and dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DE) are prevalent conditions in the elderly population.
• Understanding the psychological impact of these conditions is crucial for effective care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare psychological dysfunctions in elderly patients with chronic leukemia (CL) versus those with dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DE).
• To investigate the specific mood disturbances associated with CL alone and in combination with DE.

Main Methods:

• The study included 100 patients with CL and 85 patients with DE (stages I and II).
• Psychological assessments utilized the Spielberger-Khanin anxiety scale and Zung depression scale.
• Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of DE clinical features.

Main Results:

• Elderly patients with CL, without DE, primarily exhibited anxiety.
• Patients with the combination of DE and CL showed a higher incidence of depression.
• Elderly individuals with DE were characterized by both anxiety and depression, linked to cerebral ischemia.

Conclusions:

• The presence of dyscirculatory encephalopathy significantly alters mood disturbances in chronic leukemia patients, shifting from anxiety to depression.
• Cerebral ischemia in DE contributes to both anxiety and depression in elderly patients.
• Tailored psychological interventions are necessary based on the specific condition and its combination in elderly patients.