Positive Symptom Distress Index Research Articles

Early alcohol use and psychopathological symptoms in university students.

Adolescent brain may be particularly vulnerable to alcohol.  Plus, psychopathological disorders tend to emerge in this period. Consequently, early alcohol use may increase the risk of psychopathological disorders, with time and sex-dependent effects. However, few studies have analyzed the relationship between alcohol consumption and adolescent psychopathology in the general population. The objective was to determine the association between age of onset of alcohol use and psychopathological symptoms in university students, separately for both sexes. A cross-sectional study involving first-year university students (n = 3,696) was conducted. Symptoms were measured by the Symptom Checklist-R (SCL-90-R). The independent variable was age of first alcohol use. Dependent variables were the SCL-90-R dimensions, dichotomized. Alcohol consumption was considered a mediator variable. Data were analyzed separately for males and females. The findings showed that a younger age of onset is a risk factor for the following global indexes: Global Severity Index, Positive Symptom Total for females, and Positive Symptom Distress Index, for males. Alcohol consumption showed a higher mediator effect for females than for males. Early age of alcohol use is associated with increased psychopathological symptomatology in both sexes during the college freshman year. The pattern of symptomatology is different in each sex.

Hostility in firefighters: personality and mental health

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the contribution of personality factors, especially hostility, as they related to traumatic stress and mental health symptoms in firefighters.Design/methodology/approach– A group of paid-professional firefighters (n=94) completed a questionnaire study that included a demographic questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory-Revised, the Framingham Type A Scale, and the Symptom Checklist-90. Multiple regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between neuroticism or lack of agreeableness with hostility, controlling for Type A, years of service and age. Subsequently, hostility was used to predict traumatic stress and mental health symptoms, controlling for Type A, years of service, age, neuroticism, and lack of agreeableness.Findings– Both neuroticism and lack of agreeableness were determined to be significant predictors of hostility. Further, hostility positively predicted somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychoticism, Global Severity Index, Positive Symptom Distress Index, and Positive Symptoms Total. Although not significant, trends that hostility also predicted traumatic stress and phobic anxiety were evident.Originality/value– To the knowledge, this is the first study to specifically investigate the impact of hostility on mental health of paid-professional firefighters. In addition, the findings suggest that interventions to screen for and subsequently reduce hostility in firefighters may be beneficial for overall mental health (e.g. anger management training, etc.).

Body image in breastfeeding women with depressive symptoms: a prospective study

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the relationship between body image perception and breastfeeding in puerperae with postpartum depression symptoms. The participants (147 healthy puerperae) completed The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT-A and BUT-B), investigating body image perception and specific worries about particular body parts or functions. One month after discharge, new mothers participated in telephone interview concerning postpartum lactation practices. The subset of puerperae with EPDS score >9 also participated in psychological EPDS and BUT 6-month follow up. Mothers with EPDS score >9 (28/147, 19.04 %) had significantly higher scores on BUT-A Global Severity Index (0.69 ± 0.64 versus 0.37 ± 0.31, p < 0.0001) and on BUT-B Positive Symptom Distress Index (0.74 ± 0.57 versus 0.41 ± 0.42, p < 0004). In addition, the mothers with symptoms of depression were more likely (1:2) to interrupt full breastfeeding in the first month postpartum. At the 6-month follow up, the subset of new mothers with depression symptoms maintained elevated BUT-A and BUT-B scores, while EPDS >9 persisted in one-third of these. In conclusion, mothers with symptoms of depression have longlasting negative body image perception, persistent depressive symptoms, and they interrupt early full breastfeeding.

Psychological features in patients with and without irritable bowel syndrome: A case-control study using Symptom Checklist-90-Revised.

Context:Recent studies have demonstrated that a high proportion of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients shows an association with psychological factors. A few studies were conducted on the investigation of psychological features of IBS patients in Iran.Aims:We aimed to evaluate the relationship of psychological distress with IBS in outpatient subjects.Settings and Design:A total of 153 consecutive outpatients met Rome III criteria, and 163 controls were interred to study and invited to complete the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) instrument in order to assessment of psychological distress.Statistical Analysis:Univariate (t-test and Chi-square) and multivariate (logistic regression) methods were used for data analysis.Results:A significant association of IBS with all nine subscale and three global indices including global severity index (GSI), positive symptom distress index (PSDI), and positive symptom total (PST) of the SCL-90-R were detected. Patients with IBS reported significantly higher levels of poor appetite, trouble falling asleep, thoughts of death or dying, early morning awakening, disturbed sleep, and feelings of guilt compared to the controls. Multivariate analysis indicated that interpersonal sensitivity, somatization, paranoid ideation, depression and phobic anxiety subscales, and PST, PSDI, and GSI global indices were significantly associated with IBS (age, gender, educational level, marital status, employment status, smoking, alcohol use, and body mass index).Conclusions:Psychological features are strongly associated with IBS; notably, interpersonal sensitivity, somatization, paranoid ideation, depression, phobic anxiety, and all global indices including PST, PSDI, and GSI is significantly associated with. Hence, the appropriate psychological assessment in these patients is critically important.

Comorbid Psychopathology and Alcohol Use Patterns among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients.

130 patients from a methadone maintenance treatment program agreed to complete Symptoms Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90R) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) self-report scales. Scores higher than the proposed cut-score on SCL-90R scale were observed on depression, obsessions-compulsions, paranoid ideation, anxiety, anger-hostility, somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, and psychoticism subscales. In sum, 42.9% of our sample exhibited depressive symptomatology, 34.9% obsessive-compulsive symptoms, 29.1% somatization, 27.2% anxiety symptoms, 22.2% paranoid ideation, 19% phobic anxiety, 15.1% psychoticism, and 15.1% hostility and 11.9% presented with symptoms of interpersonal sensitivity. Mean score on AUDIT scale was 6.9 ± 7.9. 63.0% of our participants scored below cut-off and were classified as having a low level of alcohol-related problems; 24.4% scored in the range of 8–15 which is an indication of alcohol abuse whereas 12.6% scored 16 and above indicative of serious abuse/addiction. Scores on AUDIT scale were positively correlated with length of time on methadone treatment, but not with length of time on drug use or age of our participants. Positive correlations were observed among AUDIT and SCL-90R scores, namely, with global severity index score, positive symptom distress index, positive symptom total, and all primary symptom dimensions subscales except phobic anxiety.

Klinik Olmayan Örneklemde Beş Faktör Kişilik Envanteri Belirti Tarama Amaçlı Kullanılabilir mi?: Ön Çalışma

This study investigated whether Five Factor Personality Inventory (5FKE) can be used for symptom screening purposes in a non-clinical sample. A total of 165 people 103 women (62.4%) and 62 men (37.6%) between the ages of 18-54 years participated in the study. The internal consistency for factors of 5FKE was found between 0.85 and 0.91, while for sub-scales of Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) it was between 0.69 and 0.91. Correlation coefficients between three sub-scales of SCL-90-R and the factors of 5FKE were as follows: Global Severity Index correlations with Openness to Experience was -0.17, with Conscientiousness 0.28, with Agreeableness -0.35, and with Emotional Instability it was 0.65; Positive Symptom Total correlations with Openness to Experience was -0.10, with Conscientiousness -0.20, with Agreeableness -0.23, and with Emotional Instability it was 0.57; Positive Symptom Distress Index correlations with Openness to Experience was -0.14, with Conscientiousness -0.28, with Agreeableness -0.33, and with Emotional Instability it was 0.51. Extraversion factor of 5FKE showed insignificant and weak correlations with all three sub-scales of SCL-90-R. Regression analysis calculated to infer total scores of three sub-scales of SCL-90-R showed that only the factor score of Emotional Instability inferred the total score of Global Symptom Index of SCL-90-R significantly. The results of this study gave clues that the 5FKE particularly “Emotional Instability” factor could be used for screening purposes in a non-clinical sample. However, the results also revealed that the issue should be investigated in more detail.

Examining the perceived social support and psychological symptoms among adolescents with leukemia.

The purpose was to determine the perceived social support and psychological symptoms of adolescents with leukemia. The sample consisted of 70 adolescents with leukemia. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS), and a demographical data form were used for data collection. Scores of the Global Severity Index, Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI), and Positive Symptom Total (PST) of the BSI were higher than those of the healthy adolescents with the same age in other studies. There was a negative relationship between the MPSSS and negative self-image, depression, anxiety, PSDI, and PST of the BSI. It would likely be beneficial to increase adolescents' perceived social support in order to decrease psychological symptoms.

P834: Nocebo effect dissociates the laser-pain rating from the N2/P2 laser evoked potential amplitude

P834: Nocebo effect dissociates the laser-pain rating from the N2/P2 laser evoked potential amplitude

The role of adipocytokines on depressive symptoms of patients with chronic kidney disease

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate depression and anxiety scores among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and to search the changes of serum concentrations of adipokines with respect to emotional disturbances of CKD patients. Patients and methods: 150 patients recruited into this cross-sectional analytic study. Study groups were control, hemodialysis, predialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation groups. Fasting morning serum leptin, ghrelin, acylated ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, adiponectin, resistin levels of all of the groups were measured using ELISA (Sandwich) method. A screening interview based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and self-report scales (The Beck Depression [BDI] and The Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI] and Brief Symptom Inventory [BSI] which is self report scales) were administered and conducted by a trained interviewer. Results: BDI scores were significantly higher in hemodialysis and predialysis groups compared to control group (p = 0.009). Somatization sub scores of BSI were significantly higher in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis groups compared to control group (p = 0.041). Also positive symptom distress index scores of BSI were significantly higher in hemodialysis and transplantation groups compared to control group (p = 0.047). BDI score were significantly negatively correlated with duration of education (r = −0.165, p = 0.045), positively correlated with presence of protein energy wasting (r = 0.198, p = 0.016), and resistin levels (r = 0.233, p = 0.004). Conclusion: CKD patients had higher BDI, BSI-somatization, BSI-positive symptom distress index scores compared to control group. High serum resistin levels, presence of protein energy wasting might have a role in development of depressive disorders of patients with chronic kidney disease.

Psychosocial Factors and Rectal Hyposensitivity

TO THE EDITOR: We read with interest the review article by Burgell and Scott1 regarding rectal hyposensitivity (RH). RH is clinically defined as elevated sensory thresholds to simple rectal balloon distension with a hand-held syringes. More exact diagnotic method is a computer-controlled barostat.1 Barostat testing of rectal sensation has been reported to be reproducible.2 RH has been reported in 18% to 68% of patients with functional constipation, and significantly related to functional anorectal obstruction, although RH is an etiology for or a consequence of functional anorectal obstruction.3 However it is noted that the diagnostic method most commonly used in assessment of sensory function is not barostat testing but simple balloon test. Recently, Lee et al4 reported that RH and functional anorectal outlet obstruction are common entities but appear not to be significantly associated. Contrary to previous knowledge, RH was not significantly related to functional factors including dyssynergic defecation, rectocele and rectal intussusception in the study using gold standard method (barostat). We also would like to show the previous our barostat study regarding to the relationships between the RH and clinical, functional and psychosocial factors. In 49 patients with functional constipation based on Rome II criteria, we performed symptom questionnaires, Symptom Checklist 90-Revision (SCL-90-R), rectal sensitivity test using barostat, colon transit time, anaorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test and defecography. Twelve patients (24%) showed RH. There were no significant differences in age, gender, stool form using Bristol scale, colon transit time, abnormal balloon expulstion test, ratio of slow transit constipation and ratio of pelvic floor dyssynergia. There is a tendency to increase in depression score in RH group than rectal normosensitive (N) group (54.1 ± 10.7 vs. 48.2 ± 10.2, P = 0.094). Global severity index was significantly increased in RH group than N group (33.4 ± 1.7 vs. 32.2 ± 1.0, P < 0.05) (Figure). The positive symptom distress index also had a tendency to increase in RH group than N group (54.3 ± 13.0 vs. 48.2 ± 12.5, P = 0.066). Further study is needed to elucidate the relationship between rectal hyposensitivity and psychosocial factors. Figure Asscoiation with psychosocial factors. There is a significant difference in the mean value for global scale index between rectal hyposensitivity and normosensitive group. GSI, global scale index; PSDI, positive symptom distress index; PST, positive symptom ...

P3.313 Comparison of Psychopathological Dimensions in Substance Abusers with and Without HIV/AIDS and Healthy Matched Group

Background Inattention to symptoms of mental disorders and substance abuse in patients with HIV/AIDS and other at risk groups, may lead to irreversible damages. Present research aimed at comparison of psychopathological dimensions in substance abusers with and without HIV/AIDS and healthy matched groups. Methods In a cross-sectional and analytical study, selected samples by available, consecutive, and objective methods were 43 HIV positive substance abusers, 49 HIV negative substance abusers under Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) in counselling clinic of behavioural diseases and addiction abandonment and 45 ordinary individuals. All of them were evaluated by matched confounding variables via symptom check list-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Results analysed by chi-square (χ2), independent t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Gabriel post hoc. Results Findings indicated significant difference between these groups in Global Severity Index (GSI), Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI) and Positive Symptom Total (PST) (P Conclusion Comorbidity of substance abuse and HIV diagnosis intensify mental disorders symptoms. Moreover, lack of prevention and implementation of appropriate psychological and psychiatric interventions after substance abuse and HIV lead to extended establishment of mental disorders symptoms. Some implications of these results are discussed results may direct future researches.

Long-term effects of sulfur mustard on civilians’ mental health 20 years after exposure (The Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study)

BackgroundSulfur mustard (SM) is an alkylating agent that induces short and long term toxicity on various organs. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term psychological symptoms among samples of exposed to sulfur mustard gas compared with unexposed civilians 20 years after exposure.MethodsThis historical cohort study was conducted on 495 civilians of Sardasht and Rabat in two age matched groups, including 367 sulfur mustard exposed participants from Sardasht and 128 unexposed subjects from Rabat. Psychological symptoms was assessed using the Symptom Check List-90 Revised (SCL-90-R) including measures of somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism providing three global distress indices namely: Global Severity Index (GSI), Positive Symptom Total (PST) and Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI). Comparison was made between exposed and unexposed civilians.ResultsThere were significant differences in somatization (P = 0.002), obsessive-compulsive (P = 0.031), depression (P = 0.007), anxiety (P = 0.042), and hostility (P = 0.002), between the exposed and unexposed groups. In addition there were significant differences between two groups concerning the GSI (P = 0.045) and the PSDI (P < 0.001). The differences between two groups in other subscales were not significant.ConclusionsThe findings from this study showed that civilians who exposed to sulfur mustard gas were suffering from a number of psychological symptoms even 20 years after exposure. Providing mental health services and more resource allocation for this community are highly recommended.

Importance of psychiatric examination in predictive genetic testing for Huntington disease

Background and purposeHuntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant hereditary neurodegenerative disease with multiplication of CAG triplet in the short arm of chromosome 4, manifested by motor symptoms, cognitive dysfunction progressing to dementia, and various types of neuropsychiatric disorders. The diagnosis of HD is confirmed by a genetic test, which may also be carried out presymptomatically. Material and methodsWe studied differences in psychiatric examination and psychometric measures among the 52 people at risk of HD, who were recommended to postpone or to continue in the predictive protocol. In addition to the psychiatric examination, we administered the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-A), the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), and quality of life questionnaire (MANSA). ResultsPeople at risk of HD with the recommended test postponement showed lower rate of neuroticism and EPQ-A lie score, higher values on the phobia and the so-called ‘positive symptom distress index’ in SCL-90 and lower quality of life than people at risk of HD with the recommendation to continue. ConclusionsOur results indicate that the formalized testing does not bring significant information whereas the clinical psychiatrie examination remains the main decisive factor in the recommendation to perform a predictive genetic test. The motivation of applicants is considered as the most important factor in the decision-making proces.

821 – The effect on life quality of oral cancer patients after the orthopedic surgery

The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of psychological symptoms that individuals experience following orthopedic trauma and whether these are associated with quality of life. The participants completed 2 established questionnaires, SCL-90R scale and SF-36. Additionally, we conducted regression analyses to determine predictors of quality of life among study patients. The proposed model predicted 54.6 of the variance in patients’ SF-36 Mental Component scores. Patient Physical Component summary scores were associated with older age (β = 0.308, P =0.006), state of education (β = 0.308, P = 0.006), smoking habit (β = -0.249, P = 0.048), surgical management (β = 0.193, P = 0.048) and Positive Symptom Distress Index (i.e., the intensity of psychological symptoms; β= -0.782, P = 0.022). In addition, the proposed model predicted 47.4 of the variance in patients’ SF-36 Physical Component scores. Patient Mental Component summary scores were associated with Somatization (β = -0.354, P = 0.002), Anxiety(β= 0.654 P =0.022), Hostility(β= -0.375 P =0.048), Psychoticism (β= -0.5 P =0.031),and Global Severity Index (β= 4.463 P =0.005). The implications of the research findings are further discussed in the following. In a prospective study of 64 patients, 1 in 3 met the threshold for psychological distress. Psychological symptoms were significantly associated with both SF-36 Physical Component and Mental Component summary scores. Future research is necessary to determine whether orthopedic surgery patients would benefit from early screening and intervention to address comorbid psychopathology.

Psychiatric symptoms in adults with phenylketonuria

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to identify psychiatric symptom patterns reported by individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) in the outpatient clinic setting. MethodsBrief Symptom Inventory (BSI) results, phenylalanine (phe) levels, and demographic information were collected through a retrospective chart review on 64 participants in the study, “A Diversified Approach for PKU Treatment” (ADAPT). ResultsThe number of BSI scores meeting clinical threshold was significantly elevated for all global indexes and 6 out of 7 symptom subscales in patients with PKU. Recent and mean phe levels were correlated with age at the time of screening (R2=0.10, R2=0.10, respectively; p<0.05). Psychoticism and the Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI) scores were associated with metabolic control. ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate a positive correlation between phe levels and psychiatric symptom severity in individuals with PKU.

Evaluation of the Functional Result and Quality of Life after Orthopedic Surgery

Little is known about the clinical consequences of psychological morbidity associated with orthopedic trauma about oral cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of psychological symptoms that patients experience following orthopedic trauma and whether these are associated with quality of life. All oral cancer patients attending orthopedic clinics at Chungshan Medical University hospital between November 2010 and November 2011 were screened for study eligibility. All consenting patients completed a baseline assessment form, the SCL-90-R depression and somatization subscores. In addition, we conducted regression analyses to determine predictors of quality of life among oral cancer patients. The proposed model predicted 54.6% of the variance in patients' SF-36 Mental Component scores. Patient physical component summary scores were associated with older age (β = 0.308, P =0.006), state of education (β = 0.308, P = 0.006), smoking habit (β = -0.249, P = 0.048), surgical management (β = 0.193, P = 0.048) and Positive Symptom Distress Index (i.e., the intensity of psychological symptoms; β= -0.782, P = 0.022). In addition, the proposed model predicted 47.4% of the variance in patients' SF-36 Physical component scores. Patient mental component summary scores were associated with somatization (β = -0.354, P = 0.002), Anxiety (β = 0.654, P = 0.022), Hostility (β = -0.375, P = 0.048), Psychoticism (β = -0.5, P = 0.031). Psychological symptoms were significantly associated with both SF-36 Physical Component and SCL90-R scores. Future research is necessary to determine whether oral cancer patients would benefit from early screening and intervention to address comorbid psychopathology.

The loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials and effects of psychopathology and psychopharmacotherapy in psychiatric inpatients

Many studies have provided evidence for the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) as a marker for central serotonergic activity but remained inconclusive for its suitability in clinical use. A cross-sectional sample of 162 psychiatric inpatients (major depression N = 86, bipolar disorder N = 12, schizophrenia N = 50, and schizoaffective disorder N = 14) and 40 healthy subjects was retrospectively examined for LDAEP and effects of psychopathology and psychopharmacology. The LDAEP was weaker in patients with affective disorders than in healthy subjects but did not differentiate between the total patient sample and healthy controls. LDAEP correlated significantly with dimensions of the Brief Symptom Inventory in the total patient sample (depression, paranoid ideation, psychoticism, Global Symptom Index, and Positive Symptom Distress Index), in patients with affective disorders (depression) and with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (depression, psychoticism, Global Symptom Index, and Positive Symptom Distress Index). Similar correlations were found in depressed patients with a single noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. There was a negative correlation between dosage of typical antipsychotics and LDAEP. Hypnotics generally led to a lower LDAEP. The LDAEP in patients is related to severity of psychopathologic syndromes irrespective of diagnosis. Chronic psychopharmacologic treatment may also differentially modulate the LDAEP, but longitudinal studies are needed.

Psychological Factors Influence the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

TO THE EDITOR: I read with interest the study by Lee et al1 regarding the relationship between existence of typical symptoms and psychological factors in patients with erosive esophagitis. The study was conducted by enrolling 29 symptomatic and 26 asymptomatic patients with erosive reflux disease (ERD). They used the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (Korean version, SCL-90-R)2 to identify the presence of psychological symptoms. In the SCL-90-R, each of the items is rated on a 5-point scale of distress (0-4) ranging from not at to extremely. The 9 primary symptom dimensions are labeled as: somatization (SOM), obsessive-compulsive behavior (O-C), interpersonal sensitivity (I-S), depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety (PHOB), paranoid ideation and psychoticism (PSY). There are 3 global indices as well: the global severity index is a mean score of all 90 items; the positive symptom distress index; the positive symptom total, which represents the number of symptoms rated as ≥ 1. The authors demonstrated that symptomatic patients with ERD were more likely to have higher scores on psychological symptoms (SOM, O-C and PHOB) than asymptomatic patients with ERD. The authors should be congratulated for completing study, which supports the assumption that psychological factors influence the development of symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Nevertheless, I would like to consider 2 concerns for the accurate understanding of the meaning of these results. First, the significant difference in the score of SOM, O-C and PHOB between them might be rather statistically different. In Lee's study,1 the mean values for SOM, O-C and PHOB were 52.37, 46.22 and 49.59, in symptomatic ERD group respectively. I wonder whether the scores of SOM, O-C and PHOB in symptomatic ERD are higher than those in general population. Nunez-Rodriguez and Miranda Sivelo3 conducted the study using the SCL-90-R to determine association between psychological factors and GERD. In the study, the scores of SOM, O-C, I-S, depression, anxiety, hostility, PHOB, paranoid ideation and PSY were 120/55, 79/60, 64/45, 81/72, 57/52, 42/45, 37/25, 55/47 and 40/21 in GERD group and Spanish healthy population, respectively. GERD subjects had higher scores compared to healthy controls on SOM, O-C, I-S, PHOB, and PSY. Thus Lee's study might be able to provide the SCL-90-R data of healthy controls to give us a better overview of association between psychological factors and GERD symptom. Second, it is unclear whether the psychological dimensions occurred before the reflux symptoms and played an important role in the development of GERD symptoms. The psychological diseases may be a consequence of reflux symptoms. If the authors reanalyze the SCL-90-R data before and after proton pump inhibitor treatment, it would be helpful in understanding whether the GERD symptoms are influenced by psychological factors or not.

The relationship between psychiatric symptoms and glycemic status in a Chinese population

With the exception of depression and anxiety, there has been no study designed to evaluate the association between other psychiatric symptoms and Type 2 diabetes.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between different psychiatric symptoms and diabetes as well as pre-diabetes (Pre-DM) in a Chinese population. Totally, 9561 participants without a history of diabetes, depression, psychosis, use of hypnotics, and abnormal thyroid function were enrolled. Psychiatric symptoms were measured by Brief Symptoms Rating Scale questionnaire, which consists of three global indices [General Severity Index (GSI), Total Number of Positive Symptoms (PST), and Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI)] and ten subscales, including somatization, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobia, paranoid ideation, psychoticism and additional symptoms. Different glycemic statuses included normal glucose tolerance (NGT), Pre-DM, and newly-diagnosed diabetes (NDD) group. GSI, somatization, hostility, phobia, psychoticism, and additional symptoms were the factors positively associated with NDD as well as pre-DM in an age-adjusted model. After adjustments for age, gender, body mass index, educational level, hypertension, plasma triglycerides and creatinine, smoking, alcohol use, regular exercise, marital status, and family history of diabetes mellitus, the following psychiatric symptoms were independently related to both NDD and pre-DM: GSI, PST, somatization, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobia, psychoticism, and additional symptoms. In addition to depression and anxiety, global indices of psychiatric symptoms and other subscales, including somatization, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, phobia, psychoticism and additional symptoms, may have an impact on both diabetes and Pre-DM.

Evaluation of Psychological Aspects Among Subtypes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Context:While some studies have found disparities between subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), others did not found such differences.Aim:This study aimed to investigate whether there are differences in psychological features between the subtypes of IBS.Settings and Design:A cross-sectional study was performed on all consecutive outpatients IBS diagnosed (from Oct. 2010 to Oct. 2011) in Taleghani Hospital gastroenterology clinic, Tehran, Iran.Materials and Methods:A total of 153 consecutively diagnosed IBS patients (using Rome III criteria); including 80 constipation-predominant (IBS-C), 22 diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), and 51 mixed IBS (IBS-M) were asked to complete the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R).Statistical Analysis:Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare nominal variables. One-way ANOVA was used to compare continuous variables.Results:Although IBS-C patients were more suffered from psychiatric disorders, there were no statistical differences between mean score of IBS-C, IBS-D, and IBS-M patients regarding to all of SCL-90-R subscales and three global indices including Global Severity Index (GSI), Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI) and Positive Symptom Total (PST) (P<0.05).Conclusion:Our finding showed that there are no different symptomatic profiles between IBS subtypes.