[Catecholamine excretion in patients with eating disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical features of eating disorders and parameters of monoamine metabolism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Authors examined 21 patients with eating disorders during 2008-2011 using clinical/psychopathological method. To evaluate the status of monoamine neuromediator system, urine levels of dopamine, noradrenalin and adrenaline excretion were measured using high-yield liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The reference group included 26 sex- and age-matched volunteers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The common patterns of the pathogenesis of compulsive urges of different origin were identified. The results indicate not only nonspecific changes in catecholamine systems of patients with eating disorders associated with different stress disorders but also demonstrate the pathogenetic correlations between dopaminergic activity and clinical symptoms of addiction.

[Anxiety-depressive disorders and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the psychosomatic aspects].

One hundred and forty-five patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were examined to evaluate the effectiveness of the correction of physical state in the course of complex (somatotropic and psychotropic) therapy. Personality characteristics of patients with arrhythmias, the structure and severity of stress and anxiety-depressive disorders preceding the manifestation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were studied. Patients were examined at baseline and at the 21st day of therapy using clinical and instrumental methods (Holter ECG monitoring) and psychometric scales (the Beck Depression Inventory, the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale). The complex treatment of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with SSRI antidepressants (paroxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline) allowed to rapidly reduce neurotic anxiety depressive disorders. There was a significant positive trend in the course and frequency of paroxysms of atrial fibrillation on 21st day of treatment. These remedies help to reduce the duration of arrhythmia's attack which has already begun facilitating its relief. After 3-5 months of such regular complex pharmacotherapy, paroxysms of atrial fibrillation were completely stopped in 10.3% of patients. The follow-up investigation 18 months later showed that patients with certain personality traits and the positive dynamics of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation under a complex (somatotropic and psychotropic) treatment can develop cardiophobia' attacks in recurrent significant stress situations. Side-effects of the drugs were not significant and did not require discontinuation of the treatment.