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Biomedical subjects

M Cuzzolaro

Publications and source records attributed to M Cuzzolaro.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Complexity of attrition in the treatment of obesity: clues from a structured telephone interview.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the causes of attrition reported by obese patients treated by medical centres. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Obese patients enrolled in a long-term study involving 18 Italian medical centres. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 940 obese patients (727 female; mean age, 49 years; mean BMI, 38.6 kg/m2). MEASUREMENTS: Causes of attrition reported by dropouts during a structured telephone interview. RESULTS: After a median observation period of 41 months (range, 25-50), 766 of 940 patients (81.5%) discontinued treatment. Sixty-two per cent of total dropout occurred in the first year of follow-up. Seventy-four per cent of dropouts reported a single primary reasons for treatment interruption. Two primary reasons were reported by 22.4% of patients, and three reasons by 3.4%. Practical difficulties, alone or in combination, were reported by more than half of dropouts (55%), and were the leading cause of attrition followed by perceived failure of treatment. Among practical difficulties, family problems or problems at work and logistics, coupled with health problems other than obesity, were the most frequent reasons of attrition, but also a perceived sense of abandonment or a bad interaction with therapists were frequently reported. CONCLUSION: Practical difficulties and psychological problems are the most important reasons of attrition reported by patients. A therapeutic alliance addressing these issues has a large potential to reduce treatment interruption and to improve outcome in obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The Body Uneasiness Test (BUT): development and validation of a new body image assessment scale.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the psychometric properties of the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT), a 71-item self-report questionnaire that consists of two parts: BUT*A which measures weight phobia, body image concerns, avoidance, compulsive self-monitoring, detachment and estrangement feelings towards one's own body (depersonalization); and BUT*B which looks at specific worries about particular body parts or functions. METHODS: We recruited a clinical sample of 531 subjects (491 females) suffering from eating disorders and a general population sample of 3273 subjects (2016 females) with BMI <25 and Eating Attitudes Test-26 scores under the cut-off 20. RESULTS: The exploratory and confirmatory analyses confirmed a structural five-factor model for BUT*A and an eight-factor model for BUT*B. Internal consistency was satisfactory. The test-retest correlation coefficients were highly significant. Concurrent validity with other tests (Eating Disorder Inventory, EDI-2; Eating Attitudes Test, EAT-26; Symptom Check List, SCL-90R and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, SEI) was evaluated. Normative values for BUT scores in non-clinical samples of normal-weight non eating disordered subjects, from adolescence to old age, males and females, were calculated. The differences between males and females were highly significant, above all in the 18-39-age range. As for the comparison between women with eating disorders and controls, the results demonstrated a good predictive validity for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. CONCLUSIONS: The BUT is psychometrically sound. It can be a valuable tool for the screening and the clinical assessment of abnormal body image attitudes and eating disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB): a short-term, double-blind, randomised, controlled, crossover study on weight reduction in morbidly obese patients.

BACKGROUND: The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) System in association with restricted diet has been used for the short-term treatment of morbid obesity. Aim of this study was to evaluate the real, short term, efficacy of the BIB for weight reduction in morbidly obese patients by using a prospective, double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled, crossover study. METHODS: Patients were recruited from January 2003 to December 2003. After selection, they were randomly allocated into two groups: BIB followed by sham procedure after 3 months (Group A), and sham procedure followed by BIB after 3 months (Group B). All endoscopic procedures were performed under unconscious intravenous sedation. The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (Inamed Health; Santa Barbara, CA, USA) was filled by using saline (500 ml) and methylene blue (10 ml). Patients were discharged with omeprazole therapy and diet (1000 kcal). Patients were followed up weekly by a physician blinded to randomisation. In both groups mortality, complications, BMI, BMI reduction and %EWL were considered. Data were expressed as mean +/- s.d., except as otherwise indicated. Statistical analysis was performed by means of Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test or chi (2) with Yates correction; P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were selected and entered the study (8M/24F; mean age: 36.2 +/- 5.6 years, range 25-50 years; mean BMI 43.7+/-1.5 kg/m(2), range 40-45 kg/m(2); mean %EW: 43.1 +/- 13.1, range: 35-65). All patients completed the study. Mortality was absent. Complications related to endoscopy, balloon placement and removal were absent. Mean time of BIB positioning was 15 +/- 2 min, range 10-20 min. After the first 3 months of the study, in Group A patients the mean BMI significantly (P < 0.001) lowered from 43.5 +/- 1.1 to 38.0 +/- 2.6 kg/m(2), while in Group B patients the decrease was not significant (from 43.6 +/- 1.8 to 43.1 +/- 2.8 kg/m(2)). The mean %EWL was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (34.0 +/- 4.8 vs 2.1 +/- 1%; P < 0.001). After crossover, at the end of the following 3 months, the BMI lowered from 38.0 +/- 2.6 to 37.1 +/- 3.4 kg/m(2) and from 43.1 +/- 2.8 to 38.8 +/- 3.1 kg/m(2) in Groups A and B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that treatment of obese patients with BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon is a safe and effective procedure. In association with appropriate diet it is significantly effective in weight reduction when compared to sham procedure plus diet. The BIB procedure can play a role in weight reduction in morbidly obese patients or in the preoperative treatment of bariatric patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE). A validation study of the Italian version.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE). SUBJECTS: A general population sample of 995 subjects (621 females), a clinical sample of 388 eating disordered females and a clinical sample of 710 patients with obesity (575 females). RESULTS: Internal consistency was satisfactory. The factor analysis confirmed that the Symptom Scale is mono-factorial. Patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) purging showed the highest scores and those with anorexia nervosa (AN) restricting type the lowest. Obese patients showed higher BITE scores than controls in both sexes (P<0.01) and those with binge eating disorder (BED) showed higher scores than the rest of the sample (P<0.05). In patients with obesity with the threshold of 10 the Symptom Scale had a sensitivity for BED of 93% and a specificity of 55%; with the threshold of 20, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 44% and 92%. Normative values for BITE total and sub-scale scores in clinical and non-clinical samples are reported. CONCLUSION: The Italian version of BITE is psychometrically sound and it can be a useful screening tool. Our data suggest that Symptom Scale, with a threshold of 20, has a good sensitivity for BN, although it does not effectively discriminate patients with BN from those affected by other eating disorders with binge-eating (BED, AN bingeing-purging type).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Positive and negative mood in the elderly: the ZENITH study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of positive and negative affect (mood) in an ageing European sample. BACKGROUND: Mood quality has important implications for both physical and mental wellbeing. Poor quality moods are associated with deficits in the diverse areas of cognitive function, health, and social relationships. The ageing process presents a number of potential challenges to successful mood regulation that could have wider implications. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: The current study examines the quality of positive and negative affect in 387 healthy participants from three European countries. Moods were measured four times a day for 4-7 d with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) mood scales. Measures of zinc (Zn) status were taken also. SETTING: Two centres concentrated on 55-70 yr olds (Coleraine, N.Ireland, n = 93 and Clermont-Ferrand, France, n = 95), and two centres concentrated on 70-87 yr olds (Rome, Italy, n = 108, and Grenoble, France, n = 91). RESULTS: Positive affect scores for the centre in Rome were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than for the other three centres, and the Grenoble centre had significantly (P < 0.05) higher scores on negative affect than the other three centres. Mood was not related to measures of zinc status (all Ps > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The two centres with the oldest participants showed deficits in mood quality that may have implications for broader well-being.

Affect↗
PubMed2005

[Depressive symptoms and low self-esteem in obese children and adolescents].

AIM: The aim of th study was to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms and low self-esteem (SE) in a clinical sample of obese children and adolescents; to examine whether Body Mass Index (BMI) or age are correlated to scores of depression and SE. METHODS: Fifty-five obese patients, aged 9-16 years, completed 2 questionnaires: the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Multidimensional Self Concept Scale (MSCS), which assesses global SE and 6 specific domains of SE (Social, Competence, Affect, Academic, Family and Physical). RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms and low global SE was not significantly different from normative data of the general pediatric population. The mean overall scores on CDI (8+/-4.69) and MSCS (96.6+/-11.54) fell within the normal range (0-19 and 85-115, respectively). The lowest scores in specific domains of MSCS were obtained in Physical SE (94.42+/-12.64). The scores on questionnaires were not significantly correlated to BMI or age. A significant negative correlation between Physical SE scores and CDI scores was found (r=-0.43; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Obese children and adolescents, as a whole, did not present more depressive symptoms and lower SE than the general pediatric population. However, some obese patients may be at higher risk for psychopathology. In this study, the degree of obesity (BMI), age and sex were not risk factors for psychopathology. The relative low scores on Physical SE and their correlation to CDI scores suggest that body image dissatisfaction may be a risk factor for psychopathology in a subgroup of obese patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Family functioning in adolescent anorexia nervosa: a comparison of family members' perceptions.

Abnormal patterns of family functioning have often been reported in anorexia nervosa. Moreover, members of families with an adult with eating disorders have different family functioning perspectives. This study investigated whether differences in family members' perspectives, similar to the ones found in families of adults with eating disorders, can be found in families of adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Perceived family functioning, measured with the Family Assessment Device, was compared between 49 control and 34 clinical families, and across family members. Differences were found between the two groups on a number of aspects of family functioning, with the clinical families showing most disturbances. There was a general agreement across family members in their perceptions of family functioning, with one notable exception. Clinical daughters disagreed with both their parents about the family level of communication, whereas control daughters disagreed only with their fathers. Disagreements between clinical adolescents and their mothers about the family communication style appear to be important in anorexia nervosa in this age group, although it is not possible to reach conclusions about the direction of causality. These findings support the use of family-oriented therapies that aim to identify and work with difficulties in communication within the family.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Weight cycling in treatment-seeking obese persons: data from the QUOVADIS study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine parameters of weight history useful for the assessment of weight cycling and their association with psychological distress and binge eating. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: A total of 1889 treatment-seeking obese subjects, enrolled by 25 Italian centers (78% female subject), aged 20-65 y (median 45); 1691 reported previous efforts to lose weight (median age of first dieting, 30 y). MEASUREMENTS: The number of yearly attempts to lose weight, weight gain since age 20 y, cumulative weight loss and gain were checked by a predefined structured interview. Psychological distress was tested by means of Symptom Check-List 90 (SCL-90), Binge Eating Scale (BES) and Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). RESULTS: Differences in anthropometric, clinical and psychological parameters were observed in relation to previous attempts to lose weight. Patients in the upper quartile of parameters of weight history were considered weight cyclers. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after correction for age, sex and BMI, a high BES score was the only factor systematically associated with a high frequency of dieting (OR, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-2.36; P=0.022), with higher cumulative weight loss (1.42; 1.12-1.80; P=0.003) and cumulative weight gain (1.38; 1.06-1.79; P=0.017). However, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of a high BES score were very low to detect cyclers. Weight cycling did not carry a higher risk of complicating diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Weight cycling is associated with psychological distress, and binge eating independently increases the risk, but cannot be used to predict cycling. Also, obese patients who do not experience overeating as a loss of control discontinue treatment or regain weight following therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Bone resorption in anorexia nervosa and rehabilitated patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of anorexia nervosa and that of nutritional rehabilitation on bone resorption. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational study. SETTING: Rome, Italy SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight female patients affected by anorexia nervosa (AN, BMI or=18.5 kg/m(2)) and 34 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (CO, BMI >or=18.5 kg/m(2)). Among AN patients, 16 were affected by the 'restrictive' (ANr) and 12 by the 'purging' type (ANp) of anorexia nervosa. METHOD: Body weight, height and skeletal diameters were measured on each individual. The skeletal mass (SKM) was predicted from the skeletal diameters of the elbow, wrist, knee and ankle, using the equation of Martin. Twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of pyridinium crosslinks of collagen (pyridinoline (Pyd) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpd)) and creatinine was assessed by reversed-phase HPLC with fluorimetric detection after solid-phase extraction and by the Jaffé-method with deproteinization, respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-four-hour urinary output of Pyd and Dpd was not significantly different between AN and CO when expressed in absolute values, but AN showed higher bone resorption than CO when Pyd and Dpd excretion was adjusted by either creatinine (P<0.0000) or the SKM (P<0.05). Within the AN group, urinary excretion of both cross-links was significantly and consistently higher in ANp compared with ANr (P<0.05). However, these differences disappeared when crosslink output was adjusted either by urinary creatinine or SKM. RE subjects showed no differences in bone resorption with the AN group despite weight gain, being crosslink excretion consistently elevated compared to controls (Pyd: P<0.01 by creatinine and P<0.05 by SKM; Dpd: P<0.01 by creatinine and P<0.05 by SKM). CONCLUSION: Bone resorption is elevated in anorexia nervosa and different strategies for low-weight maintenance do not seem to have a differential impact. Increased bone resorption persists in subjects with past diagnosis of anorexia nervosa despite rehabilitation lasting more than 6 months. This finding indicates that bone mass and turnover should be monitored in anorexia nervosa patients and ex-patients well beyond recovery of normal body mass. Further investigation is warranted to examine the long-term effect of such prolonged increase in bone turnover at a young age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

The QUOVADIS Study: features of obese Italian patients seeking treatment at specialist centers.

Obesity is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases, but the burden associated with it also extends to psychosocial areas and to perceived health status. In 1999 an observational study on health-related quality of life in obesity was planned. The study was entirely web-based. Case Report Forms and the individual items of 7 self-administered questionnaires were directly implemented on a general database via an extranet system from 25 Italian centers. By December 2001, after enrolment had stopped, the database included anthropometric, socioeconomic and clinical data of 1944 patients (78% females). Weight-cycling was reported in over 80% of cases, overeating in 60-65%, structured physical activity in only 13-15%. Several chronic illnesses were associated. Whereas the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension was related to the degree of obesity, hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease did not increase further with increasing obesity. A disturbed psychological mood was twice more common in females. Concern for present health was the main reason for seeking treatment in both genders; concern for body appearance was more common in females. Male subjects were more frequently assigned to dietary counseling and physical exercise, whereas in females psychotherapy was more frequently considered. Various forms of behavioral approach were planned in approximately 50% of patients. Finally, very few patients were initially considered for pharmacological intervention or bariatric surgery. The study provides a comprehensive picture of Italian patients seeking treatment for obesity. Data on perceived health status, psychological well being, body image awareness, eating behavior disorders and psychopathological distress will provide clues to a comprehensive assessment of obesity, the effects of treatments and reasons for failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Are the general equations to predict BMR applicable to patients with anorexia nervosa?

AIM: To determine whether the general equations to predict basal metabolic rate (BMR) can be reliably applied to female anorectics. INDIVIDUALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-seven female patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) were divided into an adolescent group [n=43, 13-17 yrs, 39.3+/-5.0 kg, body mass index (BMI) (weight/height) 15.5+/-1.8 kg/m2] and a young-adult group (n=194, 18-40 yrs, 40.5+/-6.1 kg, BMI 15.6+/-1.9 kg/m2). BMR values determined by indirect calorimetry were compared with those predicted according to either the WHO/FAO/UNU or the Harris-Benedict general equations, or using the Schebendach correction formula (proposed for adjusting the Harris-Benedict estimates in anorectics). RESULTS: Measured BMR was 3,658+/-665 kJ/day in the adolescent and 3,907+/-760 kJ/day in the young-adult patients. In the adolescent group, the differences between predicted and measured values were (mean+/-SD) 1,466 529 kJ/day (+44+/-21%) for WHO/FAO/UNU, 1,587+/-552 kJ/day (+47+/-23%) for the Harris-Benedict and -20+/-510 kJ/day for the Schebendach (+1+/-13%), while in the young-adult group the corresponding values were 696+/-570 kJ/day (+24+/-24%), 1,252+/-644 kJ/day (+37+/-27%) and -430+/-640 kJ/day (-9+/-16%). The bias was negatively associated with weight and BMI in both groups when using the WHO/FAO/UNU and Harris-Benedict equations, and with age in the young-adult group for the Harris-Benedict and Schebendach equations. CONCLUSIONS: The WHO/FAO/UNU and Harris-Benedict equations greatly overestimate BMR in AN. Accurate estimation is to some extent dependent on individual characteristics such as age, weight or BMI. The Schebendach correction formula accurately predicts BMR in female adolescents, but not in young adult women with AN.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Efficacy and tolerability of moclobemide in bulimia nervosa: a placebo-controlled trial.

A 6-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out to examine the efficacy and tolerability of moclobemide, a monoamine oxidase type A selective and reversible inhibitor, in the treatment of bulimia nervosa. Patients were admitted to the study even if they were unable to adhere to a tyramine-free diet. Fifty-two normal-weight women (age range 18-40 years) suffering from bulimia nervosa (DSM-IV criteria) completed the trial. Particular emphasis was placed on evaluating the incidence of hypertension and other side-effects in chronically treated patients. At the usual antidepressant dose of 600 mg, moclobemide was not significantly superior to placebo in the reducing the weekly number of binge eating episodes or in improving several measures of eating attitudes and behaviour (BITE, EDI, TFEQ) in normal-weight bulimia nervosa. The dropout rate was relatively low (29%), and the side-effects were limited and equally distributed between the two treatment groups. No patient experienced a hypertensive crisis during the study and no serious side-effect was detected. The study indicates that moclobemide 600 mg pro die is not efficacious in bulimia nervosa, but it can be safely administered, even to young subjects, at a very high risk of consuming large amounts of tyramine-rich foods without dietary restrictions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Basal metabolic rate in anorexia nervosa: relation to body composition and leptin concentrations.

BACKGROUND: Leptin is thought to represent a peripheral signal involved in the regulation of energy balance. Its action has been studied in animals and obese subjects. Little is known about leptin's role during negative energy balance. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the relation between energy turnover, body composition, and plasma leptin concentrations in anorexia nervosa (AN). DESIGN: Sixteen weight-stable women with AN were compared with 22 control subjects and 14 rehabilitated AN patients (R-AN). Basal metabolic rate (BMR) was measured by indirect calorimetry; fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were calculated according to a 4-compartment model. Plasma leptin was determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The BMR of AN patients (2.73 +/- 0.37 kJ/min) was significantly lower than that of control subjects (3.45 +/- 0.34 kJ/min) (P < 0.001), even after adjustment for FFM (2.92 +/- 0.33 kJ/min in AN patients and 3.30 +/- 0.26 kJ/min in control subjects; P < 0.004). Plasma leptin concentrations in AN patients were 76% lower than in control subjects, even after body fat was controlled for. In R-AN patients, BMR was not significantly different from that of control subjects and leptin concentrations were generally close to normal. Plasma leptin concentrations correlated significantly with FM (r(2) = 0.53, P < 0.0000) and BMR, even after adjustment for FFM (r(2) = 0.21, P < 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: BMR and plasma leptin concentrations are depressed in patients with AN; this is not explained by body-composition changes. The relation between leptin and BMR suggests that leptin plays a role in the energy sparing response to exposure to chronic energy deficiency. The return of BMR to normal and the significant increase in leptin concentrations in R-AN patients suggests a full reversibility of this adaptation mechanism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Body composition changes in anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the body composition changes in anorexia nervosa and after medium term recovery. DESIGN: A descriptive study. SETTING: Rome, Italy. SUBJECTS: Twenty women affected by anorexia nervosa (AN) with a BMI [weight (kg)/height (m2)] below 17 kg/m2 and weight-stable for at least three months, were compared with 10 well nourished control women (CO) and nine rehabilitated subjects (R-AN), who had a BMI above 18.5 kg/m2 stable for at least the last six months. INTERVENTIONS: Body fat was assessed by underwater weighing, muscle mass by urinary creatinine, total body water (TBW) by impedance parameters (50 kHz and 800 microA), skeletal mass by anthropometry and radius bone mineral density by dual photon absorptiometry in ultra-distal (UD-BMD) and medio-distal (MD-BMD) sites. RESULTS: The AN group, as compared to the control group, had a significantly lower weight, body mass index (BMI kg/m2) and percent body fat (P < 0.0000). Creatinine urinary excretion was lowest in absolute term and when expressed as creatinine height index or per kg fat free mass (FFM) (P < 0.0000); muscle mass per kg body weight was 13% lower (P < 0.01). Ultra distal bone mineral density (UD-BMD) was 6% lower (not significant). TBW as percent of body weight was significant higher (P < 0.001): however TBW/FFM % was not statistically different with large inter-individual variability. An altered distribution of extra and intra-cellular water was suggested by the phase angle (AN: 4.4+/-0.8 degrees; CO: 6.1+/-0.4 degrees; (P < 0.0000). In rehabilitated anorexic patients (R-AN) the fat mass represented 53% of the weight gain. Their creatinine excretion remained still below the mean value of the controls (P < 0.001). The impedance parameters were not significantly different between the R-AN and the CO groups, however, the phase angle of the R-AN (5.0+/-0.7 degrees) remained lower than in the CO group, indicating that the water distribution was still altered. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that AN is a condition of reduced body fat as well as of muscle mass, with a slightly reduced bone mass. In the course of rehabilitation, most of the weight regained is represented by fat, while the muscle mass appears to lag behind, at least in the medium term.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

Patterns of adaptation to conflict in bulimia and temporo-mandibular joint disorder.

Two age- and education-matched groups of 45 women, respectively, with the diagnoses of Bulimia and of Temporo-mandibular Joint Disorder, were administered the Serial Color-Word Test, to assess differences in the pattern of adaptation to conflict (the latter being represented by the Stroop task). Three types of norms (clinical, nonclinical and based on reading times) and the functions derived from a previous cluster analysis were employed. Comparisons utilizing clinical norms and cluster analytical functions did not significantly differentiate between groups. According to both nonclinical norms and norms based on reading times, the two clinical groups were significantly different concerning the distribution of adaptation patterns. Bulimic patients resorted more often to the Dissociative pattern (high nonlinear change of reading times), while temporomandibular patients were characterized by the Cumulative pattern (high linear change) and, secondarily, by the Cumulative-Dissociative pattern (high linear and nonlinear change). Intergroup differences were more marked when employing the new norms based on reading times.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Clinical and subthreshold eating disorders: case detection in adolescent schoolgirls.

The point prevalence of eating disorders was investigated in schoolgirls from lower socio-economic classes and a method of case detection was tested. A two-stage procedure (self-report measures and interviews) was followed. All girls meeting at least one of the following three criteria were recruited as possible cases: EAT > or = 30, BMI < 17.5, BMI < 19 or > 24 and EAT > or = 20. The Mann-Whitney's two-tailed test and the chi-square test were used to assess the significance of differences between the possible cases and the others and between the false positives and the cases. A diagnosis of eating disorder was made for 24 subjects (8.1%): 5 (1.7%) with bulimia nervosa and 19 (6.4%) with eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). Of the 24 girls with eating disorders only 16 had high EAT40 scores (> or = 30). The other 8 cases were identified by the help of other criteria that proved to be useful. Furthermore we found data on five self-report instruments (EAT40, EDI, SCANS, SCL90, SEI). On almost all the scales, the possible cases obtained scores significantly different from the others. On the contrary, we did not find any instrument able to discriminate between false positives and cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Function of the psychiatrist in a hematology ward. Notes on consultation-liaison psychiatry].

Collaboration between Haematology and Mental Hygiene Departments of the University of Rome aims at clinical assistance, scientific research and staff training. It takes place through meetings of psychiatric consultants with haematologic patients and, above all, with doctors and paramedical staff. The psychiatrist's role takes place inside the framework of modern CLP (consultation-liaison psychiatry), whose psychosomatic approach to illness it shares, taking into consideration the complex network of interactions and feedbacks in which the relationships between doctor, patient and illness develop.

Hematologic Diseases↗