OBJECTIVE: The relationship between psychopathology and alexithymia in obese patients is uncertain. The present study was performed to evaluate this relationship in a clinical sample of patients attending a centre for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity compared to a matched sample of non-obese subjects. METHODS: 293 consecutive obese patients (48 males, 245 females, mean age 45, 41±13.55 yrs; mean BMI 35.60±6.20) were compared with a control group made of 293 non-obese subjects (48 males, 245 females, mean age 45, 66±13.86 yrs; mean BMI 21.8±2.06); all subjects were interviewed by means of SCID I and SCID II together with several self-evaluation instruments including the TAS-20 (Toronto Alexithymia Scale) and SCL-90 (Symptom Check List, Revised). RESULTS: Alexithymia was significantly more frequent among obese patients compared to "normal" controls (12.9% vs 6.9%, p=0.010); moreover obese patients achieved significantly higher mean scores on subscales 1 and 2 and on overall scale of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale; comorbidity with axis I/II disorders, in particular Binge Eating Disorder, was associated with a significantly higher frequency of alexithymic traits and higher scores at TAS. CONCLUSIONS: Alexithymia and psychopathology are strongly correlated among obese patients seeking treatment. Routine evaluation of personality traits and comorbid psychopathology may be relevant in treatment of obesity.
OBJECTIVE: The relationship between psychopathology and alexithymia in obesepatients is uncertain. The present study was performed to evaluate this relationship in a clinical sample of patients attending a centre for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity compared to a matched sample of non-obese subjects. METHODS: 293 consecutive obesepatients (48 males, 245 females, mean age 45, 41±13.55 yrs; mean BMI 35.60±6.20) were compared with a control group made of 293 non-obese subjects (48 males, 245 females, mean age 45, 66±13.86 yrs; mean BMI 21.8±2.06); all subjects were interviewed by means of SCID I and SCID II together with several self-evaluation instruments including the TAS-20 (Toronto Alexithymia Scale) and SCL-90 (Symptom Check List, Revised). RESULTS: Alexithymia was significantly more frequent among obesepatients compared to "normal" controls (12.9% vs 6.9%, p=0.010); moreover obesepatients achieved significantly higher mean scores on subscales 1 and 2 and on overall scale of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale; comorbidity with axis I/II disorders, in particular Binge Eating Disorder, was associated with a significantly higher frequency of alexithymic traits and higher scores at TAS. CONCLUSIONS:Alexithymia and psychopathology are strongly correlated among obesepatients seeking treatment. Routine evaluation of personality traits and comorbid psychopathology may be relevant in treatment of obesity.
Authors: Matthias Grube; Sarah Bergmann; Anja Keitel; Katharina Herfurth-Majstorovic; Verena Wendt; Kai von Klitzing; Annette M Klein Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-12-17 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Nurul Hanis Ramzi; Andrianos M Yiorkas; Sylvain Sebert; Sirkka Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi; Leena Ala-Mursula; Rauli Svento; Jari Jokelainen; Juha Veijola; Juha Auvinen; Jouko Miettunen; Terence M Dovey; Marjo-Riitta Järvelin; Alexandra I F Blakemore Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-09-26 Impact factor: 3.240