Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, four-arm study with placebo run-in phase conducted at travel clinics in Switzerland, Germany, and Israel, we compared moods and feelings in chemoprophylaxis users (n= 547) by administering the standardized "Profile of Mood States" (POMS) questionnaire. This is designed to provide data on six categories of feelings: tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion. The questionnaire was administered at four time points: recruitment (T1), 13 to 11 days before departure (T2), 6 to 4 days before departure (T3), and 7 to 14 days after return from Africa (T4). RESULTS: There were no significant differences with respect to overall mood impact between the medication arms. All scores were in the normal range, and no means were more than 1 SD from the norm. The POMS data were reanalyzed with respect to sex, age, medication group, and control time points (T1-T4). There were significant interaction effects between sex and medication group--women in the mefloquine group showed more " fatigue" (p= .011) and " confusion" (p= .011) than men. Significant effects of age group (below median age 34 y vs median age and above) were noted on the "tension" and " fatigue" scales in that less "tension" (p= .045) and less " fatigue" (p= .000) were noted in those aged 34 years and older. Younger participants, aged <34 years, reported more " confusion" (p= .013) at T2 than at T1 and T4. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Patricia Schlagenhauf, Richard Johnson, Eli Schwartz, Hans D Nothdurft, Robert Steffen |
Journal | Journal of travel medicine
(J Travel Med)
2009 Jan-Feb
Vol. 16
Issue 1
Pg. 42-5
ISSN: 1708-8305 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 19192127
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Antimalarials
- Chloroquine
- Doxycycline
- Proguanil
- Mefloquine
- Atovaquone
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Topics |
- Adult
- Affect
- Africa
- Age Distribution
- Analysis of Variance
- Antimalarials
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Atovaquone
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Chloroquine
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Double-Blind Method
- Doxycycline
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Germany
- Humans
- Israel
- Malaria
(prevention & control, psychology)
- Male
- Mefloquine
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Middle Aged
- Proguanil
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Self-Assessment
- Sex Distribution
- Switzerland
- Travel
- Young Adult
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