Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40009279›Full record

ArticleIrish journal of medical science2025

Psychological supports for people living with a rare disease in Ireland: an online survey-based study.

Darragh Nerney, Emer O'Malley, Caroline Kenny, Alana Ward, Geraldine Sweeney, Vicky McGrath, Laura Egan, Eileen Treacy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Irish journal of medical science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Darragh NerneyNational Rare Diseases Office, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-9168-8481
Emer O'MalleyNational Rare Diseases Office, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Caroline KennyMater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Alana WardNational Rare Diseases Office, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Geraldine SweeneyNational Rare Diseases Office, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Vicky McGrathRare Diseases Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Laura EganRare Ireland Family Support Network, Westmeath, Ireland.
Eileen TreacyNational Rare Diseases Office, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. etreacy@mater.ie.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6226-1615

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeople living with rare diseases have reported high unmet support needs for access to psychological services despite the significant impact rare diseases have on mental health.

aimsThis study aimed to explore experiences in accessing psychological supports in the Republic of Ireland, and ways in which supports can be improved.

methodsAn online survey was distributed to people living with rare diseases through Irish rare disease patient organisations and expert centres (May-June 2023). Paediatric and adult participants were included with carers providing information on behalf of those age < 18 years. A PRISMA-based scoping review was conducted to explore reported gaps in psychological supports for people living with rare diseases.

resultsEligible responses were received from 142 participants (87 adults, 55 children, 94 females, 47 males). People living with rare diseases reported a need for psychological supports at all stages of their patient journey. Participants indicated that a rare disease has an impact on educational, social, and financial aspects of daily living. A lack of understanding of the rare disease by healthcare professionals, extended waiting times, and the financial burden of accessing supports were key themes identified by participants.

conclusionLiving with a rare disease is associated with an increased mental health burden. Gaps remain in the provision of psychological supports for people affected by rare diseases. The integration of mental health supports into the care of people living with rare diseases should be a priority for the Irish health service.

Indexed as

Mental Health ServicesRare DiseasesSocial SupportAdolescentAdultAgedChildFemaleHumansIrelandMaleMental HealthMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultAccess to psychological servicesGeneticsRare diseases

Identifiers

PMID40009279
PMCPMC12031972

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.