Association of anxiety and depression with breast implant illness syndrome (BII): a prospective observational cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Breast Implant Illness syndrome (BII), popularly known as “silicone disease”, has no defined pathophysiology or recognition by the WHO. It consists of systemic symptoms such as joint pain, muscle pain, confusion, memory loss/cognitive problems, chronic fatigue, and immune diseases. In some more recent studies, anxiety and depression have been observed as an incident characteristic of the syndrome. Objective: It was to relate the appearance of anxiety and depression pathologies with the development of Breast Implant Illness syndrome in women with breast implants. Methods: To prepare the following prospective observational cross-sectional study, 132 women who had breast implants were interviewed and answered an online questionnaire with 18 questions about the breast implant that was disseminated through social networks. To obtain the data, questions about pre-operative and post-operative signs and symptoms were crossed, this data was subsequently struck and finally, another cross was carried out with the other unknown, symptoms were diagnosed by doctors. Results: The validation analysis of the questionnaire proposed in this study using Cronbach's alpha (α) statistical technique showed that the reliability rating was high, with alpha (α)=0.82. It was noted that 31% of women who did not have any characteristic signs and symptoms presented after placement and of these 22 women were diagnosed by doctors. And at the other intersection, it was clear that 25% presented depression after the placement of the breast implant and 23 of these women were diagnosed by doctors. Conclusion: It can be stated that anxiety and depression are pathologies associated with Breast Implant Illness syndrome.