39016
document
Evaluation of mood profiles during malaria chemoprophylaxis : a randomized , double-blind , four-arm study . BACKGROUND To objectively compare the mood profiles of users of malaria chemoprophylaxis regimens ( atovaquone-proguanil , chloroquine-proguanil , doxycycline , or mefloquine ) in a group of nonimmune tourists to sub-Saharan Africa . 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 Although the overall mood profiles were similar for the users of any of the standard malaria chemoprophylaxis regimens , we found that women using mefloquine showed more fatigue and confusion than men and that younger persons aged less than 34 years , regardless of chemoprophylaxis used , reported more tension and fatigue than their older counterparts .
39017
Intervention_Pharmacological
malaria chemoprophylaxis
39018
Intervention_Pharmacological
malaria chemoprophylaxis
39019
Intervention_Pharmacological
atovaquone-proguanil , chloroquine-proguanil , doxycycline , or mefloquine
39020
Intervention_Educational
Profile of Mood States " ( POMS ) questionnaire
39021
Intervention_Pharmacological
standard malaria chemoprophylaxis regimens
39022
Outcome_Mental
mood
39023
Outcome_Mental
fatigue
39024
Outcome_Mental
confusion
39025
Outcome_Mental
tension " and " fatigue
39026
Outcome_Mental
tension
39027
Outcome_Mental
fatigue
39028
Outcome_Mental
confusion
39029
Participant_Condition
malaria
39030
Participant_Condition
malaria
39031
Participant_Sample-size
547
39032
Participant_Age
34
39033
Participant_Age
34
39034
Participant_Age
Younger
39035
Participant_Age
34
39036
Participant_Condition
malaria
39037
Participant_Age
younger
39038
Participant_Age
34
39039
Participant_Age
older