Depression and anxiety in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis and nonspecific low back pain who are interested in non-pharmacological therapy options: Cross-sectional study.

Psychological burden, such as depression and anxiety, may be associated with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and poor prognosis of nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). Non-pharmacological therapy is a substantial part of the management of both illnesses. Our study describes the psychological outcomes in patients with axSpA and NSLBP who were actively looking for non-pharmacological therapy. A total of 60 participants (34 with axSpA and 26 with NSLBP) were included in this cross-sectional study. Anxiety and depression were examined using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), respectively. The relationships between BAI and BDI-II and quality of life (EQ-5D), pain intensity (NRS pain), disease activity (AS disease activity score, ASDAS-CRP), and function (Bath AS Functional Index, BASFI) were determined. The intensity of anxiety and depression did not differ between patients with and without axSpA. In both, axSpA and NSLBP, BAI, and BDI-II scores were inversely correlated with EQ-5D, R = -0.268 (P ˂ .05) and R = -0.486 (P ˂ .0001), respectively. We found a variation in the relationship between pain intensity and psychological outcomes in NSLBP and axSpA. The pain intensity score was correlated with the BDI-II (R = 0.542, P = .001) and BAI (R = 0.489, P = .003) scores only in patients with axSpA. In patients with axSpA, BAI was inversely correlated with disease duration (R = -0.356, P = .039) and positively correlated with increased disease activity and poor function, ASDAS-CRP (R = 0.431, P = .012) and BASFI (R = 0.621, P ˂ .0001) scores. The ASDAS-CRP score was positively correlated with BDI-II (R = 0.562, P = .001), and both disease activity and female sex were identified as risk factors for poor BDI-II outcomes in axSpA patients according to multiple regression analysis. Experiences of anxiety and depression seem to be similar for patients with axSpA and NSLBP in this selected group of participants. However, pain intensity may influence psychological outcomes, mainly in patients with axSpA. Disease activity, impaired function, and female sex were risk factors for anxiety and depression in patients with axSpA.

Association of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 with nutritional status, body composition and bone mineral density in patients with anorexia nervosa: the influence of partial realimentation.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) is a key inducer of cancer-related anorexia and weight loss. However, its possible role in the etiopathogenesis of nutritional disorders of other etiology such as anorexia nervosa (AN) is currently unknown. METHODS: We measured fasting serum concentrations of MIC-1 in patients with AN before and after 2-month nutritional treatment and explored its relationship with nutritional status, metabolic and biochemical parameters. Sixteen previously untreated women with AN and twenty-five normal-weight age-matched control women participated in the study. We measured serum concentrations of MIC-1 and leptin by ELISA, free fatty acids by enzymatic colorimetric assay, and biochemical parameters by standard laboratory methods; determined resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry; and assessed bone mineral density and body fat content by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. ANOVA, unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney test were used for groups comparison as appropriate. The comparisons of serum MIC-1 levels and other studied parameters in patients with AN before and after partial realimentation were assessed by paired t-test or Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test as appropriate. RESULTS: At baseline, fasting serum MIC-1 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with AN relative to controls. Partial realimentation significantly reduced serum MIC-1 concentrations in patients with AN but it still remained significantly higher compared to control group. In AN group, serum MIC-1 was inversely related to Buzby nutritional risk index, serum insulin-like growth factor-1, serum glucose, serum total protein, serum albumin, and lumbar bone mineral density and it significantly positively correlated with the duration of AN and age. CONCLUSIONS: MIC-1 concentrations in AN patients are significantly higher relative to healthy women. Partial realimentation significantly decreased MIC-1 concentration in AN group. Clinical significance of these findings needs to be further clarified.

Brain wave P300: a comparative study of various forms of criminal activity.

BACKGROUND: This comparative and comprehensive study builds on a previous study comparing the P300 wave of impulsively violent delinquents and a non-impulsive non-delinquent group. The purpose was to investigate changes in P300 cognitive evoked potentials, especially the amplitude and latency at the Pz electrode site. MATERIAL/METHODS: The P300 parameters of perpetrators of various types of criminal offences and those of a control group matched for age, gender, and educational status were compared (N=80). There were 20 subjects with impulsively aggressive delinquent behavior. The observed parameters were compared with the neuropsychophysiological correlates of a group of 20 subjects with deliberately (i.e. non-impulsive) violent behavior, a group of 20 delinquents sentenced for property crimes (theft), and 20 non-delinquent non-impulsive nonviolent persons. To differentiate these groups, Eysenck's IVE questionnaire and a structured interview according to DSM IV criteria conducted by a certified forensic psychiatrist were used. RESULTS: The results showed a significantly lower P300 wave amplitude in the impulsively aggressive individuals than in the other groups. No significant differences were found in terms of latency. The results confirm the results of previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the possibility of a neuropsychophysiological correlate of impulsively aggressive individuals behaving in a socially dangerous way. This opens a discussion on the subject of expert evaluation of criminal acts within the context of "uncontrolled affect".