Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in morbidity obese candidates for bariatric surgery with and without binge eating disorder.

AIMS: To analyze changes in the general and specific psychopathology of morbidly obese bariatric surgery (BS) candidates after cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and assess differences between patients with and without binge eating disorder (BED) and between patients with obesity grades III and IV, studying their influence on weight loss. METHODS: 110 consecutive morbidly obese BS candidates [77 females; aged 41 ± 9 yrs; body mass index 49.1 ± 9.0 kg/m²] entered a three-month CBT program (12 two-hour sessions) before BS. Participants were assessed with general and specific psychopathology tests pre- and post-CBT. Data were analyzed according to the degree of obesity and presence/ absence of BED. RESULTS: At baseline, BED patients were more anxious and depressive with lower self-esteem and quality of life versus non-BED patients (p < 0.05) and were more concerned with food, weight and figure, felt greater hunger, fear and guilt, and were more influenced by contextual cues (p < 0.005). Post-CBT, these differences in self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders disappeared due to significant improvements in BED patients. No difference between OIII and OIV groups was found in any psychopathology test pre- or post-CBT. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that CBT was effective to treat psychological comorbidity regardless of the presence/ absence of BED or degree of obesity. At 1 yr post-CBT, weight loss versus baseline (before CTT) was > 10% in 61%, with no intergroup differences. CONCLUSIONS: CBT is effective to treat psychological comorbidity in BS candidates, regardless of the presence of BED and degree of obesity.

Objetivo: Analizar cambios en la psicopatología general y específica de pacientes con obesidad mórbida (OM) candidatos a Cirugía Bariátrica (CB) tras aplicación de terapia cognitiva-conductual(TCC) y evaluar diferencias entre pacientes con y sin trastorno por atracón (TA y NTA respectivamente), y entre grados de obesidad III y IV; estudiando su influencia en la pérdida peso. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron110 pacientes candidatos a CB [77mujeres; con 41 ± 9 años e IMC 49,1 ± 9,0 kg/m2] que recibieron TCC preoperatoria (12-sesiones de 2 horas) Se evalúo comorbolidad psicológica pre-post-TCC mediante test validados para la población española. Resultados: Basalmente los pacientes con TA mostraron mayor ansiedad y depresión y menor autoestima y calidad de vida que aquellos NTA (p < 0,05). También mostraron mayor preocupación por la comida, el peso y la figura revelando sentir más hambre, temor y culpa, importándoles más el contexto (p < 0,005). Tras TCC, las diferencias en autoestima, depresión y desordenes alimentarios desaparecieron, asociado a una significativa mejoría en pacientes con TA. No hubo diferencias entre grados de obesidad III y IV en ninguno de los test pre y post-TCC aplicados. El análisis multivariante demostró efectividad de la TCC para tratar la psicopatología independientemente de la presencia de TA o del grado de obesidad. Tras 1 año post-TCC, la pérdida de peso con respecto a la basal fue > 10% en 67 pacientes. Sin diferencia entre los grupos de estudio. Conclusiones: La TCC es efectiva en el tratamiento de la comorbilidad psicológica, independientemente de la presencia de TA y del grado de obesidad.

[Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on weight loss after two years of bariatric surgery in morbidly obese patients]. / Efectividad de la terapia cognitivo-conductual en la pérdida de peso tras dos años de cirugía bariátrica en pacientes con obesidad mórbida.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the success of postoperative weight loss after 2 years of CB. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in consecutive patients with morbid obesity aged between 18 and 59 yrs and enrolled in the bariatric surgery program of the Obesity Surgery Unit of our hospital from June 2007 through June 2010, with two years postoperative follow-up. Participants were divided into two groups according to their participation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or not. Over a 3-month period, CBT was applied in 12 2-h sessions. The main dependent variables studied were body weight and height, from which we calculated BMI and percentage of excess weight lost (weight lost x 100)/(initial weight-ideal weight), classifying patients as successful (E ) those with EPP > 50%, and unsuccessful (NE) those with EPP <50%. Participants were also, assessed for general (stress, anxiety, depression and self-esteem) and specific (binge eating and food craving) psychopathology. RESULTS: Of the 35 patients with bariatric surgery, 30 responded postoperative evaluations, 16 underwent CBT before CB and 14 underwent surgery without receiving psycho-nutritional therapy, (76% female) with a mean age of 41 ± 9.5 years. The mean baseline BMI was 42 ± 10 and 45% of patients were classified as super obese (BMI: 56 ± 6). Mean excess weight loss (EPP) was 77%. According to the EPP were classified as "successful" (S) (59%) and "unsuccessful" (U) (41%). Of the patients assigned to S, 94% received CBT (15 individuals of 17 total), compared with only 12% who did not receive (2 individuals of the 17 total) with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Also, the S patients appeared to be significantly less anxious and stressed and have higher self-esteem (P < 0.05). Regarding specific psychopathology, the food craving guided by hunger, loss of control over food intake and guilt was lower in patients who achieved > 50% of EPP (p < 0.04, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). It was also noted that these patients were plans to eat less and ate less for positive reinforcement (p < 0.03 and p < 0.000, respectively) than the patient group NE. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who achieved successful results in the evolution of weight loss at two years of CB are mostly (94%) who received CBT, presenting lower psychological comorbidity than NE. CBT could positively influence postoperative outcomes.

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la Terapia Cognitivo Conductual (TCC) en el éxito de la pérdida de peso postoperatoria tras 2 años de CB. Metodología: Estudio observacional prospectivo en el que se incluyeron pacientes entre 18 y 59 años candidatos a CB, entre enero de 2007 y junio de 2010, realizando seguimiento postoperatorio hasta junio de 2012. Se compararon dos grupos de estudio de acuerdo a su participación en TCC o no. Se tomaron datos de peso corporal y estatura, a partir de las cuales se calculó el IMC y porcentaje de exceso de peso perdido (Peso perdido x 100)/(Peso inicial-Peso ideal), clasificando a los pacientes como exitosos (E) los que logaron un EPP > 50% y como no exitosos (NE) aquellos con EPP < 50%. Asimismo se examinaron psicopatología general (estrés, ansiedad, depresión y autoestima) y específica de la conducta alimentaria (trastorno por atracón y ansia por la comida) mediante test validados para población española. Resultados: De los 35 pacientes intervenidos, 30 respondieron a la valoración postcirugía. 16 de ellos pasaron por TCC antes de la CB y 14 fueron intervenidos sin recibir terapia pisco-nutricional, (76% mujeres) con edad media de 41 ± 9,5 años. El IMC basal medio fue de 42 ± 10 y un 45% de los pacientes fueron clasificados como superobesos (IMC: 56 ± 6). La media de exceso de peso perdido (EPP) fue de 77%. Según el EPP se clasificaron como "exitosos" (E) a 17 pacientes (59%) y "no exitosos" a 13 (41%). De los pacientes catalogados como E, el 94% paso por TCC (15 individuos de los 17 totales) comparados con solo el 12% que no la recibió (2 individuos de los 17 totales) con diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,05). Asimismo, se observo menor incidencia de trastornos psicológicos comparados con los NE. En concreto, resultaron estar significativamente menos ansiosos y estresados y tener mayor autoestima (P < 0,05). En cuanto a la psicopatología específica, por un lado, el ansia por la comida guiada por el hambre, la pérdida de control sobre la ingesta alimentaria y el sentimiento de culpa fue menor en los pacientes que lograron >50% de EPP (p < 0,04, p < 0,001, y p < 0,001, respectivamente). También se observó que este grupo de pacientes hacían menos planes para comer y comían menos por refuerzo positivo (p < 0,03 y p < 0,000, respectivamente) que el grupo de pacientes NE. Conclusiones: Los pacientes que lograron resultados exitosos en la evolución de la perdida de peso a los dos años de CB son en su mayoría (94%) aquellos que recibieron TCC, presentando menor comorbilidad psicológica que los NE. La TCC podría influir positivamente en los resultados postoperatorios.

Psychological characteristics of morbidly obese candidates for bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity has multiple negative consequences for psychological health. These patients are described as depressed, anxious, and impulsive, with low self-esteem and impaired quality of life. The severity of these psychological disorders has been related to the degree of obesity. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychopathological characteristics of obese candidates for bariatric surgery, determining differences and similarities in general and specific psychopathologic symptoms among patients with different degrees of obesity and normal-weight individuals. METHODS: The study included 50 patients (26 type III obesity, 24 type IV obesity) and 25 normal-weight volunteers. They were all assessed for: stress (CED44-B), anxiety-depression (General Health Questionnaire), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), family function (Apgar Family Function Questionnaire), quality of life (Spanish version of the Quality of Life Index), personality (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised), food craving (Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait), and eating behavior disorder (EBD) symptomatology (Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire Version-4). RESULTS: The obese patients had higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, food craving, and EBD symptoms and lower levels of self-esteem and quality of life compared with normal-weight controls. No personality or family function disorders were observed in any of the obese or normal-weight subjects. Patients with type III and type IV obesity differed only in anxiety and personality findings. CONCLUSIONS: Although the presence of psychological disorders cannot be taken as an absolute criterion for exclusion of candidates for obesity surgery, a better understanding of the relationship of these variables with weight loss and other outcomes of bariatric surgery may improve patient selection and facilitate more appropriate interventions.