Attitudes towards change mediate the effect of dissociation on psychopathological outcome in the treatment of eating disorders.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to examine whether dissociation and attitudes towards change were associated with the psychopathology in patients with eating disorders (EDs) at 1-year follow-up. METHOD: The study included 110 females with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (48 and 62 respectively). At the beginning of the study and 1 year later, they were assessed by means of the following questionnaires: Dissociative Experiences Scale, Attitudes Towards Change (ACTA), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Eating Attitude Test, Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between both diagnostic groups regarding dissociation scores. The ACTA at baseline, specifically for patients in the contemplation stage, mediate the effect of dissociation on the psychopathological outcome. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that dissociation might be a transdiagnostic feature related to the EDs outcome. The psychotherapeutic framework must take it into account, particularly in patients in the contemplation stage.

Coping strategies and stress-induced natural killer cell redistribution in women with eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Patients with eating disorders (ED) are very sensitive and responsive to psychosocial stress. Stress response includes changes in immune cell distribution and may be modulated by the capability to cope with stressors. Thus, the present study sought to analyze the association between coping strategies and immune response (natural killer [NK] cell redistribution following psychosocial stress) in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) and healthy controls (HC). METHOD: Twenty-four AN patients, 29 BN patients, and 58 HC were studied. A multidimensional assessment tool, the COPE Inventory, was used to assess coping strategies. The number of NK cells was quantified in peripheral blood before and after the application of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Potentially mediating variables, such as weight status, severity of eating pathology, depression, anxiety, and impulsivity were controlled. RESULTS: The three groups differed in intensity and direction of cell redistribution: The TSST was followed in BN patients by a significant decrease in the number of NK cells, whereas HC displayed a moderate decrease and AN a clear increase. Specific correlations between coping strategies and NK cell mobilization were found, especially in BN patients (positive for "planning" and negative for "substance abuse"). CONCLUSION: Recognition and subsequent modification of the dysfunctional coping strategies used by patients with ED could contribute to improving their immune status, strengthening their resilience and increasing their ability to overcome the disease.

ANTECEDENTES: Los pacientes con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) son muy sensibles y respondedores ante el estrés psicosocial. La respuesta al estrés incluye cambios en la distribución de las células inmunes y parece estar modulada por la capacidad de afrontamiento del individuo. En este contexto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la asociación entre estrategias de afrontamiento y redistribución tras el estrés de las células agresoras naturales (natural killer, NK) en pacientes de sexo femenino con anorexia nervosa (AN) y bulimia nervosa (BN), y controles sanos (CS). MÉTODO: Treinta y cuatro pacientes con AN, 29 pacientes con BN y 58 CS fueron estudiados. Para evaluar las estrategias de afrontamiento se utilizó un instrumento multidimensional, el Inventario COPE. El número de células NK en sangre periférica fue cuantificado antes y después de la aplicación del Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Las posibles variables mediadoras, como el estado ponderal, la gravedad de la patología alimentaria, depresión, ansiedad e impulsividad fueron control. RESULTADOS: Los tres grupos difirieron en la intensidad y la dirección de la redistribución de células NK: el TSST fue seguido de una notable reducción en el número de células NK en las pacientes con BN, de una disminución moderada en las CS y de un claro incremento en las pacientes con AN. Se encontraron correlaciones específicas entre estrategias de afrontamiento y movilización de células NK, especialmente en las pacientes con BN (positiva para "planificación" y negativa para "abuso de sustancias"). CONCLUSIÓN: El reconocimiento y la modificación consiguiente de las estrategias de afrontamiento disfuncionales utilizadas por las pacientes con TCA pueden contribuir a mejorar su estado inmunológico, incrementando su resistencia y su capacidad para superar la enfermedad.

Substance use and course of bipolar disorder in an inpatient sample.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have a comorbid substance use with high frequency. Our study aims to establish a relationship between substance use and BD, in terms of greater diagnostic difficulty, a worse prognosis and changes in pharmacological prescription. METHODS: The sample consisted of 394 subjects over twenty years were hospitalized with a diagnosis of BD in acute psychiatry unit of a general hospital (10.6% of total of 3,704 patients). The medical records were analyzed for demographic, clinical and family group relating to data subjects. RESULTS: Complete data were obtained from 319 patients. Of these 165 (51.7%) had a history of drug consumption (abuse/dependence). This was more frequent in men (79.7% vs. 34.2%), in patients under 65 years (58.4% vs. 16.7%) and BD type I compared to type II (55% vs. 35%). Consumers substance patients had an age of onset of the disease earlier and more diagnostic difficulties. Regarding treatment, receiving discharge more mood stabilizers and antipsychotics than nonusers, and higher doses of most of them. CONCLUSIONS: The cases of dual pathology were detected in more than half of the sample, being the most serious and poorer prognosis patients, besides presenting a debut earlier disease. BD / substance use association was more common in men and in patients under 65 years.

Uso de sustancias y curso del trastorno bipolar en una muestra de pacientes hospitalizados / Substance use and course of bipolar disorder in an inpatient sample

Introducción. Los pacientes con trastorno bipolar (TB) presentan un consumo de sustancias comórbido con elevada frecuencia. Nuestro estudio pretende establecer una relación entre el consumo de sustancias y el TB, en cuanto a una mayor dificultad diagnóstica, un peor pronóstico y cambios en la prescripción farmacológica. Métodos. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 394 sujetos que a lo largo de veinte años fueron hospitalizados con un diagnóstico de TB en la unidad de agudos de Psiquiatría de un hospital general (10,6% del total de 3704 pacientes ingresados). Las historias clínicas fueron analizadas para obtener datos demográficos, clínicos y relativos al grupo familiar de los sujetos. Resultados. Se obtuvieron datos completos de 319 pacientes. De ellos 165 (51,7%) presentaban antecedentes personales de consumo de sustancias (abuso/dependencia). Este fue más frecuente en hombres (79,7% vs. 34,2%), en menores de 65 años (58,4% vs. 16,7%) y en el TB tipo I respecto al II (55% vs. 35%). Los pacientes consumidores de sustancias presentaban una edad de inicio de la enfermedad más precoz así como más dificultades diagnósticas. Respecto al tratamiento, recibían al alta más estabilizadores del estado de ánimo y más antipsicóticos, así como dosis más elevadas de la mayoría de ellos. Conclusiones. Los casos de patología dual fueron detectados en más de la mitad de la muestra, siendo los más graves y con peor pronóstico, presentando además un debut más temprano de la enfermedad. La asociación TB / consumo de sustancias fue más frecuente en hombres y en menores de 65 años

Introduction. Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have a comorbid substance use with high frequency. Our study aims to establish a relationship between substance use and BD, in terms of greater diagnostic difficulty, a worse prognosis and changes in pharmacological prescription. Methods. The sample consisted of 394 subjects over twenty years were hospitalized with a diagnosis of BD in acute psychiatry unit of a general hospital (10.6% of total of 3,704 patients). The medical records were analyzed for demographic, clinical and family group relating to data subjects. Results. Complete data were obtained from 319 patients. Of these 165 (51.7%) had a history of drug consumption (abuse/dependence). This was more frequent in men (79.7% vs. 34.2%), in patients under 65 years (58.4% vs. 16.7%) and BD type I compared to type II (55% vs. 35%). Consumers substance patients had an age of onset of the disease earlier and more diagnostic difficulties. Regarding treatment, receiving discharge more mood stabilizers and antipsychotics than nonusers, and higher doses of most of them. Conclusions. The cases of dual pathology were detected in more than half of the sample, being the most serious and poorer prognosis patients, besides presenting a debut earlier disease. BD / substance use association was more common in men and in patients under 65 years

Blunted cortisol response to stress in patients with eating disorders: Its association to bulimic features.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical research on cortisol response to stress in patients with eating disorders has provided controversial and even contradictory results. As this might be the consequence of the inclusion in the studies of heterogeneous clinical populations, 3 highly selected samples were studied. METHODS: Dexamethasone suppression test was performed on 15 restricting anorexia nervosa patients without history of bulimia nervosa (BN), 17 BN patients with normal weight and no history of anorexia nervosa, and 22 healthy controls. Three days later, the Trier Social Stress Test was applied, and 8 saliva samples were collected along the trial for cortisol assessment. RESULTS: When the patients were considered as a single group, a slightly blunted cortisol response to stress was observed, but when the 3 groups were considered separately, the blunted response was observed only in the BN patients. DISCUSSION: The results support the association between blunted cortisol response and bulimic features.

Fluoxetine, topiramate, and combination of both to stabilize eating behavior before bariatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Pharmacotherapy for the management of obesity is primarily aimed at weight loss, weight loss maintenance and risk reduction (reduction in body fat, risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the incidence of diabetes mellitus). Among drugs that have been evaluated for weight loss include antidepressants (fluoxetine) and antiepileptic (topiramate). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed eating behavior and weight loss in a sample of morbid obesity patients before bariatric surgery. The patients suffering eating disturbances symptoms were grouped into three groups: one group received 40 mg of flouxetine/day (Group A); another group received topiramate 200 mg/day (Group B); and the third group of patients were treated with fluoxetine 40 mg and 200 mg of topiramate/day (Group C). RESULTS: Patients treated with fluoxetine plus topiramate lost more weight at 3 and 6 months before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the psychopharmaceutical drug (fluoxetine and topiramate) in morbid obese patients with eating disorders could represent a new approach to the management of eating behavior before bariatric surgery.

Fluoxetina, topiramato y combinación de ambos en el control de la conducta alimentaria antes de la cirugía bariátrica / Fluoxetine, topiramate, and combination of both to stabilize eating behavior before bariatric surgery

Introducción. El tratamiento farmacológico de la obesidad está dirigido principalmente a la pérdida de peso, mantenimiento de la pérdida de peso y la reducción del riesgo (reducción de la grasa corporal, factores de riesgo cardiovasculares y la incidencia de diabetes mellitus). Entre los fármacos que han sido evaluados para bajar de peso están los antidepresivos (fluoxetina) y antiepilépticos (topiramato). Material y Métodos. Se analiza la conducta alimentaria y la pérdida de peso en una muestra de pacientes con obesidad mórbida antes de la cirugía bariátrica. Aquellos pacientes que sufrían trastornos alimentarios se agruparon en tres grupos: un grupo recibió 40 mg de fluoxetina/día (Grupo A); topiramato 200 mg/día (Grupo B) y el otro fluoxetina 40 mg y 200 mg de topiramato (Grupo C). Resultados. Los pacientes tratados con fluoxetina más topiramato perdieron más peso a los 3 y 6 meses antes de la cirugía. Conclusiones. El uso de psicofármacos (fluoxetina y topiramato) en pacientes obesos mórbidos con trastornos de la alimentación puede representar una ayuda para el manejo de la conducta alimentaria antes de la cirugía bariátrica

Introduction. Pharmacotherapy for the management of obesity is primarily aimed at weight loss, weight loss maintenance and risk reduction (reduction in body fat, risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the incidence of diabetes mellitus). Among drugs that have been evaluated for weight loss include antidepressants (fluoxetine) and antiepileptic (topiramate). Material and Methods. We analyzed eating behavior and weight loss in a sample of morbid obesity patients before bariatric surgery. The patients suffering eating disturbances symptoms were grouped into three groups: one group received 40 mg of flouxetine/day (Group A); another group received topiramate 200 mg/day (Group B); and the third group of patients were treated with fluoxetine 40 mg and 200 mg of topiramate/day (Group C). Results. Patients treated with fluoxetine plus topiramate lost more weight at 3 and 6 months before surgery. Conclusions. The use of the psychopharmaceutical drug (fluoxetine and topiramate) in morbid obese patients with eating disorders could represent a new approach to the management of eating behavior before bariatric surgery

Parental rearing and eating psychopathology.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between perceived rearing styles and the clinical expression of Eating Disorders (ED). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six patients diagnosed of an ED and 127 healthy student as controls selected from the Nursing College were evaluated for general psychopathology (STAI, BDI II, RSE), and for abnormal eating attitudes (EAT, EDI-II, BITE). The EMBU (‘my memories of upbringing’) was administered for the assessment of perceived parental rearing styles and was used a questionnaire to assess familial variables. RESULTS: In relation to the control group, patients with ED perceived greater rejection, overprotection and less warmth than the controls. Patients who perceived greater paternal favoritism, maternal overprotection and low paternal emotional warmth, showed higher levels of anxiety. Paternal affection and maternal attitudes of rejection, overprotection and favoritism were related to lower self-esteem. Regarding abnormal eating attitudes, body dissatisfaction inversely correlated with paternal emotional care and maternal favoritism. The EDI subscales: ineffectiveness, perfectionism and ascetism were associated to parental rejection. Maternal rejection also related with drive for thinness, interoceptive awareness and impulse regulation. Perceived emotional warmth was related with perfectionism. Bulimia subscale and BITE scores were inversely associated to paternal overprotection and affection, and scored significantly higher in paternal favoritism and rejection from both parents. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived parental bonding is different in the various subtypes of EDs. Patients diagnosed of Bulimia Nervosa or Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified perceived greater rejection, less affection and a greater overprotection than Anorexia Nervosa patients and controls.

Neurobiological and clinical variables associated with alcohol abuse in bulimia nervosa.

The study was aimed at analysing the reciprocal relationships of several clinical and neurobiological items in order to predict alcohol misuse in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN). Seventy BN patients and 70 healthy controls were assessed for depression, impulsivity, borderline personality traits and self-defeating behaviours using specific scales; serum cortisol and 24-hour urinary excretion of serotonin and 5-hydroxiindolacetic acid were also assessed. The study confirmed the implications of these clinical factors for alcohol misuse in BN patients, but the results suggested that depressive symptoms and hypercortisolism could lie behind these relationships.

Relación entre tabaco y sintomatología psicótica en paciente tratado con olanzapina oral. A propósito de un caso / Relationship between smoking and psychotic symptoms in a patient treated with oral olanzapine. A case report

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The role of temperament and character in the outcome of depressive mood in eating disorders.

OBJECTIVES: The aims were to see which temperament and character dimensions were associated with depression, mainly with its outcome at two-year follow up in eating disorders (EDs). METHODS: Participants (N=151) were 44 Anorexia nervosa (AN), 55 Bulimia nervosa (BN) and 52 Eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) patients. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Rosenberg Self Esteem Questionnaire (RSE), Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2) and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) were administered. RESULTS: Depression at the beginning (t0) was severe in 22% of the cases. Harm Avoidance and Novelty Seeking had an effect on depressed mood at t0, mediated by Ineffectiveness. Responsibility (SD1) was associated with scores on the BDI at two-year follow up (ß=-0.37, 95% CI -2.6, -0.6, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The evaluation of personality dimension in EDs has therapeutic and prognostic implications: To enhance self-efficacy and self-directness is crucial for good clinical outcome.

Papel de la depresión y la impulsividad en la psicopatología de la bulimia nerviosa / The role of depression and impulsivity in the psychopathology of bulimia nervosa

Introducción. El presente estudio trató de analizar el papel de la depresión y la impulsividad en la psicopatología de la bulimia nerviosa (BN). Materiales y métodos. Se examinó a 70 mujeres con un diagnóstico de bulimia nerviosa basado en la cuarta revisión del Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales (DSM-IV), subtipo purgativo, para los síntomas relacionados con el trastorno de la conducta alimentaria, insatisfacción corporal, síntomas afectivos, impulsividad y rasgos de personalidad. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizaron métodos de análisis factorial y de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales. Resultados. La BN se presentó como un proceso que incorporaba 5 dimensiones generales: a) episodios recurrentes de gran voracidad o «atracones» y conductas compensadoras; b) conducta alimentaria restrictiva; c) insatisfacción corporal; d) rasgos de personalidad disocial; y e) una agrupación (cluster) de características que se denominó «inestabilidad emocional». Las 5 dimensiones obtenidas pueden agruparse en 2 factores básicos: insatisfacción corporal/conducta alimentaria y rasgos de personalidad/psicopatología. El primero contiene los ítems clínicos utilizados para la definición de la BN como proceso clínico en el DSM-V y la Clasificación Internacional de las Enfermedades, y refleja la morfología y la gravedad de los síntomas relacionados con la conducta alimentaria. La segunda dimensión incluye una agrupación de síntomas (síntomas depresivos, impulsividad y rasgos límite de personalidad [borderline]), conducta autodestructiva y disocial) que podrían considerarse como la «base psicopatológica de la bulimia nerviosa» y pueden condicionar su curso y su pronóstico (AU)

Introduction. The study aimed to analyze the role of depression and impulsivity in the psychopathology of bulimia nervosa (BN). aterials and methods. Seventy female patients with DSM-IV BN, purging subtype, were assessed for eating-related symptoms, body dissatisfaction, affective symptoms, impulsivity, and personality traits. Factor analysis and structural equation modeling methods were used for statistical analysis. Results. BN appeared as a condition which incorporated 5 general dimensions: a) binge eating and compensatory behaviours; b) restrictive eating; c) body dissatisfaction; d) dissocial personality traits; and e) a cluster of features which was called «emotional instability» The 5 obtained dimensions can be grouped into 2 basic factors: body dissatisfaction/eating behaviour and personality traits/psychopathology. The first one contains the clinical items used for the definition of BN as a clinical condition in the DSM-V and the International Classification of Diseases 10, and reflects the morphology and the severity of the eating-related symptoms. The second dimension includes a cluster of symptoms (depressive symptoms, impulsivity, and borderline, self-defeating and dissocial personality traits) which could be regarded as the «psychopathological core» of BN and may be able to condition the course and the prognosis of BN (AU)

The role of depression and impulsivity in the psychopathology of bulimia nervosa.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to analyze the role of depression and impulsivity in the psychopathology of bulimia nervosa (BN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy female patients with DSM-IV BN, purging subtype, were assessed for eating-related symptoms, body dissatisfaction, affective symptoms, impulsivity, and personality traits. Factor analysis and structural equation modeling methods were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: BN appeared as a condition which incorporated 5 general dimensions: a) binge eating and compensatory behaviours; b) restrictive eating; c) body dissatisfaction; d) dissocial personality traits; and e) a cluster of features which was called «emotional instability¼ The 5 obtained dimensions can be grouped into 2 basic factors: body dissatisfaction/eating behaviour and personality traits/psychopathology. The first one contains the clinical items used for the definition of BN as a clinical condition in the DSM-V and the International Classification of Diseases 10, and reflects the morphology and the severity of the eating-related symptoms. The second dimension includes a cluster of symptoms (depressive symptoms, impulsivity, and borderline, self-defeating and dissocial personality traits) which could be regarded as the «psychopathological core¼ of BN and may be able to condition the course and the prognosis of BN.

Influence of attitudes towards change and self-directness on dropout in eating disorders: a 2-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined dropout-related factors at the Outpatient Eating Disorders Treatment Programme. METHOD: One hundred ninety-six eating disorders patients following DSM-IV diagnostic criteria that consecutively commenced treatment were recruited and followed up for a 2-year period. A total of 151 patients completed the whole assessment with a set of questionnaires evaluating eating and general psychopathology. The Attitudes towards Change in Eating Disorders questionnaire was used, and personality was evaluated using the Temperament and Character Inventory. During the follow-up period, patients were re-assessed. Two years later, 102 patients continued on treatment. RESULTS: Scores on Precontemplation at the beginning were predictors for dropout at 2-year follow-up. Character variables, as Responsibility, Integrity and Self-acceptance were protective factors to be at Precontemplation stage. DISCUSSION: The clinician's challenge is to help eating disorders patients to develop an unyielding sense of responsibility and self-acceptance, aimed to integrate the therapeutic choice into their own intrapersonal frame of goals.

Neurobiological and psychopathological variables related to emotional instability: a study of their capability to discriminate patients with bulimia nervosa from healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the capability of a set of neurobiological and psychopathological variables to discriminate bulimia nervosa (BN) patients from healthy controls. METHOD: Seventy-five female patients with purging BN and 30 healthy controls were compared for psychopathology (impulsivity, borderline personality traits, depressive symptoms and self-defeating personality traits) and neurobiological parameters reflecting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity (morning serum cortisol before and after dexamethasone) and monoamine activity (24-hour urinary excretion of norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and their main metabolites: 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and homovanillic acid). Furthermore, the relationships between the 2 sets of variables were compared in the 2 samples. RESULTS: BN patients displayed higher impulsivity, more severe depressive features, and more borderline and self-defeating personality traits than controls. The 4 psychopathological variables were strongly interrelated in patients, whereas only depressive features correlated with self-defeating personality traits in controls. Patients had lower 24-hour excretion of serotonin and dopamine than controls, as well as lower ability to suppress cortisol. The relations between the biochemical and the psychopathological variables were only significant in the BN patients, but not in the control group. When discriminant analysis methods were applied, patients and controls differed for psychopathology (impulsive behaviors and borderline personality traits) and biological parameters (baseline cortisol and dopamine excretion), but when the variables were analyzed together, the differences in neurobiological parameters appeared as mediated by the psychopathological status. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, dopamine activity and other biological parameters are worthy of further study as potential dimensional markers of BN, although they seem to depend on the psychopathological status of the patients, in such a way that the psychopathological items associated with emotional instability (impulsivity and borderline personality traits) seem to be more reliable as clinical markers at the time being.

Bulimia nervosa with history of anorexia nervosa: could the clinical subtype of anorexia have implications for clinical status and treatment response?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the subtype of anorexia nervosa (AN) could influence the bulimic syndrome and treatment response in bulimia nervosa (BN) patients with a history of AN (BN/AN+). METHOD: Seventy female BN patients were assessed for eating disorder, psychopathology and personality, and treated for 6 months. RESULTS: BN/AN+ patients retained some traits of their past condition: lower body weight, higher perfectionism, and higher reward dependence. They also had more severe symptoms, longer evolution time, and worse response to treatment. A history of restricting AN was associated to higher age, longer evolution time, higher impulsivity, and greater tendency to use diet pills and diuretics. A history of binge-purging AN was associated to more severe vomiting, lower body dissatisfaction and less depressive symptoms, as well as better outcome. DISCUSSION: The influence of the AN subtype in BN/AN+ patients is worthy of further study as it might have clinical implications.

Psychopathology and lymphocyte subsets in patients with bulimia nervosa.

The association between lymphocyte subsets and several psychopathological variables which had proved to be able to affect immune cell count in other conditions was investigated in bulimia nervosa patients. Sixty-seven female bulimia nervosa patients and 29 female healthy controls were assessed for nutritional status (weight, blood cells, lymphocyte subsets, biochemical parameters and hormones) and psychopathology (anxiety, depression, hostility, impulsivity and borderline personality traits). A negative correlation between impulsivity and helper T-cells (CD4(+)) was found in controls. In the bulimia nervosa group, the patients with higher anxiety had the lower lymphocyte count, and anxiety and hostility were negatively related to CD4(+) count. In addition, helper/cytotoxic T-cell ratio negatively correlated in this group with impulsivity, hostility and depression. In the light of these results, the potential influence of psychopathology on lymphocyte subset counts seems to be specific in bulimia nervosa patients, and more relevant than in healthy controls.