International journal of psychiatry in medicine
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Int J Psychiatry Med · Jan 2008
Comparative StudyIncrease of visceral fat and adrenal gland volume in women with depression: preliminary results of a morphometric MRI study.
Depression is often accompanied by increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT), stress, enlarged adrenal glands, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. VAT turn-over is regulated by adrenal stress hormones such as cortisol. Aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the adrenal volume as a marker for long-term stress and the volume fractions of several body fat compartments in healthy and depressive women. ⋯ The increase of adrenal volume and VAT and the correlation of BDI with VAT in the upper abdomen support the hypothesis of long-term production of stress hormones in depression. This study is a further step toward describing morphologic substrates of depression in endocrine organs.
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Int J Psychiatry Med · Jan 2008
Incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after myocardial infarction (MI) and predictors of ptsd symptoms post-MI--a brief report.
The objectives of this pilot study were to determine the incidence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) one to two months after Myocardial Infarction (MI), and to evaluate potential predictors of PTSD symptoms post-MI. ⋯ The incidence of PTSD following MI was low, but 16% of MI patients developed subsyndromal PTSD. The emotional status of the patients at the time of the MI and their subjective reaction to the event were important factors in the development of PTSD symptoms. Black and younger patients were in increased risk of developing PTSD symptoms post-MI.
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Int J Psychiatry Med · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyAn assessment of emotional pain among subjects with chronic dermatological problems in Lagos, Nigeria.
In dermatology, it is known that there is a significant co-morbidity between dermatological disorders and psychological complications, and it has been estimated that in at least one-third of patients with skin diseases, their effective management involves consideration of associated emotional factors. In Africa, particularly Nigeria, despite the prevalent dermatological disorders with their possible attendant mental health complications, little or no work has been done in the field of psycho-dermatology, hence the rationale for this study. ⋯ The results showed that subjects with dermatological disorders suffered from significant emotional pain when compared to the healthy controls; the males had higher mean scores on PAS and SCL subscales, hence more likely to suffer emotional pain than their female counterparts. Finally, the need to have consultation-liaison psychiatry in the dermatology facilities in Nigeria was emphasized.
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Int J Psychiatry Med · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyDepression, hopelessness, and sleep in cancer patients' desire for death.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of clinical characteristics and risk factors for hastened death in advanced cancer patients. ⋯ Depression, hopelessness, and sleep quality appeared to have a statistically significant relationship with desire for hastened death. Health care professionals finding desire for death in advanced cancer patients should not only consider depression and hopelessness, but also other factors such as poor sleep quality in their diagnostic formulations in order to provide the appropriate treatment.
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Int J Psychiatry Med · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyPsychopathology and clinical features in an Italian sample of patients with myofascial and temporomandibular joint pain: preliminary data.
Aim of this study was to provide data on the relationships between psychopathological variables and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Sixty-three TMD patients were investigated using clinical and anamnestical psychiatric informations and psychopathological measures. ⋯ TMD patients showed elevated levels of depression, somatization, and anxiety. These characteristics did not differ significantly between patients with myofascial or TMJ pain. Other specific psychopathological dimensions, detected with SCL-90-R, appeared to be closely associated to the myofascial component.