Psychometry and Pescatori projective test in coloproctological patients

Area of Science:

• Coloproctology
• Psychological Assessment
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Psychological assessment is underutilized and often poorly accepted by patients with coloproctological conditions.
• Evaluating the psychological impact of coloproctological disorders requires innovative assessment methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the psychological component of coloproctological disorders using novel tools.
• To compare psychological distress levels between coloproctological patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized the 21-Item Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Pescatori projective test.
• Participants included 70 coloproctological outpatients across four groups and 52 healthy volunteers.

Main Results:

• Coloproctological patients demonstrated significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores than healthy controls (P<0.001).
• Patients with functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and perianal Crohn's disease showed the highest distress scores.
• Benign anorectal disease patients exhibited increased anxiety and stress, while all patient groups scored lower on the Pescatori projective test (P=0.012).

Conclusions:

• Coloproctological patients experience heightened psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress.
• The Pescatori projective test may offer insights into the psychological state of these patients, correlating weakly with depression.