چکیده (انگلیسی):

Background:Little is known about psychological impact of disclosing lifestyle-related diseases. Previous studies
discussed the long-term psychological impact of disease disclosure, and a significant psychological impact was not
observed.
This study clarified the psychological impact on anxiety state of patients when lifestyle-related diseases are disclosed
at general checkups for local residents.
In particular, this study evaluated the short-term impact on patients, and how the notification of abnormal values
and the disclosure of disease at general checkups affect patients’ subsequent behavioral changes.
Methods:The study design was a prospective cohort study. We compared the anxiety state of participants using a
self-administered anxiety assessment scale, State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), before and after Physician’s explanation
of abnormal values in markers of lifestyle-relateddiseases.Theparticipantswerethosebetweentheageof40and
75 years who underwent general checkups at two primary care facilities. In addition, we assessed the effects on
lifestyle habits and the psychological impact caused by general checkup using STAI and a survey on behavioral
changes one month after the checkup.
Results:The valid response rate at the survey of the general checkup was 92% (534/578). Of those who showed
abnormal levels in markers of lifestyle-related diseases, anxiety was augmented significantly among those who
responded that the physician had told them of their diagnosis compared to those who responded that the physician
had not told them of their diagnosis (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, P < 0.007). The percentage of patients whose state
anxiety scale of STAI increased≥5 points was 30% in the disease disclosed group (33/111) and 17% in the disease
undisclosed group (27/159), respectively. The risk ratio was 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1–2.0). One month after the general
checkup, overall anxiety diminished regardless of whether diagnosis of lifestyle-related diseases was disclosed to
patients notified of abnormal values. In addition, improvements in daily life behaviors as a result of notification of
abnormalities or disclosure of diagnosis at general checkup were not observed.
Conclusion:Even in a general checkup for the general population, disclosing non-critical diseases such as
lifestyle-related diseases exacerbated anxiety as a short-term psychological impact.