ArticleBMJ open2026
Psychological experiences of syndactyly among youth aged 12-30: exploring mental health challenges and coping mechanisms in Islamabad - a qualitative study.
Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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.
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.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo explore the psychological and social experiences of youth aged 12-30 years living with congenital syndactyly in Islamabad.
designA qualitative phenomenological design was employed. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted. SETTINGS AND
participants12 participants aged 12-30 years with congenital syndactyly residing in Islamabad were recruited using purposive sampling from community organisations and special education centres. Interviews lasting 30-60 min were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
resultsFive major themes emerged: (1) limited understanding and concealment of the condition; (2) emotional burden including loneliness, intrusive thoughts and in some cases severe distress; (3) pervasive stigma manifesting through pity, moral and religious judgement, and dignity violations; (4) barriers to participation in education and everyday life; and (5) coping strategies involving faith, concealment and sometimes harmful responses alongside significant unmet support needs.
conclusionCongenital syndactyly was experienced as a complex psychosocial condition rather than solely a physical anomaly. The findings highlight the need for holistic, patient-centred care integrating psychological support, stigma reduction, inclusive education and community awareness. This study provides context-specific qualitative evidence to inform healthcare practice, policy and research in Pakistan.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.