Psychological aspects of choosing between active and conservative treatment tactics in cases of liver echinococcosis with small sized cysts

Aim. Comparative assessment of the psychological profile in patients with liver echinococcosis with small sized cysts while diagnosing and treating the disease.

Methods. A shortened version of the Minnesota multidimensional personality questionnaire MMPI (Mini-Mult) and Personal Questionnaire of the Bekhterev Institute (PQBI) were used. 142 patients with liver echinococcosis and cyst size not exceeding 40 mm were tested at the initial diagnosis and one year after the treatment initiation.

Results.Test results support the overall suggestion that psychological profile of the patients is not associated with the features of the disease. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rS) between indicators of psychological profile and some clinical data (cyst size, location, number of cysts), as well as the age and sex characteristics of the patient was not statistically significant (p >0.1), or revealed only weak correlation (rs

Conclusion. The most favorable psychological pattern is formed when choosing active treatment approach. Conservative management and postponed treatment is probably an additional stressful factor for patients.