Diffuse C-Cells Hyperplasia Is the Source of False Positive Calcitonin Measurement in FNA Washout Fluids of Thyroid Nodules: A Rational Clinical Approach to Avoiding Unnecessary Surgery.

PURPOSE: The FNA-CT is useful for the diagnosis of MTC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of FNA-CT in TNs coexisting with CCH. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 patients with TNs submitted to thyroidectomy on the basis of elevated basal and/or stimulated serum CT values, which at histology were not confirmed to be MTC. The results obtained in this group were compared with those of a previously reported group of histologically proven MTC patients submitted to an identical presurgical evaluation. All patients, negative for known mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, were preoperatively submitted to neck ultrasound, FNA-cytology, and FNA-CT. RESULTS: Approximately 6 of 11 patients showed increased (>36 ng/mL, as established in previous studies not involving patients with CCH) FNA-CT. All these patients showed diffuse CCH at histology in the thyroid lobe submitted to FNA; 5 of them were benign at histology, while only one was malignant (papillary thyroid carcinoma, PTC). The remaining 5 of 11 patients had low FNA-CT (<36 ng/mL), and all of them showed only focal CCH in the lobe submitted to FNA; three of them were malignant (2 PTC, 1 follicular carcinoma), while two were benign. CONCLUSIONS: Employing the currently proposed cut-off values, false-positive FNA-CT results may be observed in benign/malignant TNs with coexisting diffuse CCH. FNA-CT must therefore be cautiously used in the diagnostic approach for patients with TNs and a slightly increased basal or stimulated serum CT concentration in order to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life in obese patients. Results from a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to evaluate psychiatric comorbidity, subjective quality of life, and impact of psychopathology on quality of life measures in a clinical sample of patients attending a center for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity compared to a matched sample of non-obese subjects. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-three consecutive obese patients (48 males, 245 females, mean age 45.41 +/- 13.55 yrs; mean BMI 35.60 +/- 6.20) were compared with a control group made of 293 non obese subjects (48 males, 245 females, mean age 45.66 +/- 13.86 yrs; mean BMI 21.8 +/- 2.06); all subjects were interviewed by means of SCID I and SCID II and completed the WHO-QoL-Bref, a self-administered instrument for evaluation of subjective quality of life. RESULTS: Obesity was associated with a significant lifetime major risk both for axis I (OR = 3.47, p = 0.000) and axis II disorders (OR = 2.27, p = 0.000); obesity was also associated with significantly lower measures of subjective quality of life on physical, social, and psychological domains; comorbidity with axis I/II disorders was associated with lower QoL measures on WHO-QoL-Bref, in particular among obese patients. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is significantly associated with a significant major risk of psychiatric comorbidity and poor quality of life; comorbid mental disorders play a significant role in worsening quality of life of obese patients; a multimodal approach to the treatment of obesity, including psychiatric evaluation and intervention, is needed to improve quality of life of patients.

Obesity and psychopathology. A study of psychiatric comorbidity among patients attending a specialist obesity unit.

AIMS: The study aims to evaluate the frequency of association between Axis I and II disorders according to DSMIVTR criteria and obesity, and use of mental health services in a clinical sample of patients attending a centre for the diagnosis and treatment of Obesity. METHODS: 150 consecutive patients (32 Males, 118 females, mean age 44.6 +/- 14.3 yrs; mean BMI 35.4 +/- 6.2) were interviewed by means of SCID I and SCID II. RESULTS: Lifetime Prevalence of Axis I disorders was 58% (males 50%; females 61%); the highest prevalence rate was found for Anxiety Disorders (approx 35%), whilst 30% of subjects were affected by Mood disorders, chiefly Major Depression (20%), and 18% by Eating Disorders. 28% of obese patients presented a Personality Disorder, 23% of patients being affected both by an Axis I and Axis II disorder. Mood Disorders, in particular Major Depression, were significantly prevalent among female obese. 50% of females and approx 37% males included in the sample had contacted mental health units for treatment. CONCLUSION: Data obtained in the present study confirm the high prevalence rates of mental disorders in obese patients seeking treatment. Specialist units should therefore include thorough psychiatric evaluation of patients as a routine practice.