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The long-term impact of bereavement upon spouse health: a 10-year follow-up.
- Source :
-
Acta Neuropsychiatrica . Oct2010, Vol. 22 Issue 5, p212-217. 6p. 2 Charts, 1 Graph. - Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- Jones MP, Bartrop RW, Forcier L, Penny R. The long-term impact of bereavement upon spouse health: a 10-year follow-up. Objectives: This study is the first to examine the effect of bereavement of a first-degree family member on subsequent morbidity over a 10-year follow-up period. Methods: A sample of bereaved subjects ( n = 72) were compared with a control group ( n = 80) recruited in the same period with respect to morbidity experience during follow-up. Morbidity events were ascertained from the subject themselves, their health care providers and these sources were also compared. Results: Bereavement was associated with an elevated total burden of illness as well as with mental health and circulatory system categories diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases - Clinically Modified (ICD-9) classification system. The elevation ranged from approximately 20% for any illness to 60–100% among circulatory system disorders. Although in an earlier study there was a downregulation of T-cell function in the bereaved during the first 8 weeks, there was no evidence that the bereavement was associated with increased morbidity in the respiratory or immune system ICD-9 categories long-term. Conclusions: Past epidemiological research has indicated that bereavement of a close family member is associated with adverse health consequences of a generalised morbidity. Our study suggests an increase in mental health and circulatory system effects in particular. Further research is required to determine whether other systems are also affected by bereavement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *BEREAVEMENT
*DISEASES
*MEDICAL care
*MENTAL health
*T cells
*IMMUNE system
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09242708
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Acta Neuropsychiatrica
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 53474794
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-5215.2010.00482.x