Journal of psychosomatic research
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Multicenter Study
Gender and the nocebo response following conditioning and expectancy.
To investigate the role of Pavlovian conditioning and expectancy and of gender on the nocebo effects. ⋯ Women responded stronger to conditioning while men responded to expectancies, but to a lesser degree. It needs to be determined whether this is restricted to nausea-specific conditions or can be generalized across clinical and experimental conditions.
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While recent studies have suggested an association between obesity and common mental disorders, findings across different studies have varied and the nature of any relationship remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between depression, anxiety, and two different measures of obesity in a large community-based sample. ⋯ Abdominal fat distribution (as measured by WHR) appears to be the key mediator in the relationship between obesity and depression. Increased BMI was not independently associated with depression and may provide some protection against anxiety. These findings are consistent with a hypothesis that links obesity and depression via metabolic disturbances involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.
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To determine whether obesity is associated with a variety of psychiatric outcomes after taking into account physical health conditions. ⋯ Independent of physical health conditions, obesity was associated with psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior in the Canadian population. Possible mechanisms and clinical implications of these findings are considered.
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Development of chronic pain following severe accidental injury. Results of a 3-year follow-up study.
Motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and work-related injuries are two of the more common causes of chronic pain. Nevertheless, there is little evidence on predicting factors regarding the development of chronic pain following physical injury. ⋯ The prevalence of chronic pain in severely injured patients 3 years after the accident is considerably high. The development of chronic pain is more related to psychological factors, particularly PTSD symptoms, in the aftermath of the accident, as compared to sociodemographic and accident-related variables at the time of the accident. These findings may be helpful to elucidate the problems in predicting chronic pain conditions in injured subjects and to recognize the onset of a chronic pain condition more reliably.
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Fatigue is a frequent and disabling symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but it is difficult to define and measure. Today, MS-related fatigue is not fully understood, and evidence related to explanatory pathophysiological factors are conflicting. ⋯ Insight into the possible underlying psychological mechanisms might help us to develop adequate psychological interventions and to improve the overall management of fatigue. Conceptual issues and the relationships between MS-related fatigue and mood, anxiety, cognition, personality, and cognitive-behavioral factors are discussed, and the implications for clinical practice and research are presented.