Somatosensory Amplification Scale Scores Research Articles

Somatic amplification and addiction profile as risk factors for medication overuse headache with chronic migraine

IntroductionOveruse of analgesics can lead to medication-overuse headache (MOH) in chronic migraine (CM) patients, and is often linked to addiction. This study explores the addiction-related characteristics and somatic amplification in patients with, CM with medication overuse headache (CM+MOH), CM, and healthy controls.Methods73 CM patients and 70 CM+MOH, along with 63 healthy controls, participated in the study. Assessments included a Sociodemographic Form, Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), Addiction Profile Index (API), Addiction Profile Index-Clinical Version (API-C), and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS).ResultsSubstance use characteristics, craving, motivation for use, and addiction severity scores were higher in the CM+MOH group than in both the CM and the control group. Specifically, the SSAS scores within the CM+MOH group surpassed those of both the CM and control groups. In the CM+MOH group, SSAS scores were a strong predictor of the amount of analgesic usage. Besides, craving and motivation for substance use scores significantly predicted the number of days analgesic taken per month in the CM+MOH groupConclusionCM patients with MOH exhibit a pronounced association with addiction, and a heightened manifestation of somatic symptoms. Addressing addiction characteristics and psychosomatic amplification is important to ensure comprehensive management.

The effect of greater occipital nerve block on amplification of somatic symptoms and anxiety and depression levels in chronic migraine.

It is known that chronic migraine (CM) is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic complaints. We designed this study with the assumption that greater occipital nerve (GON) block treatment could potentially improve not only pain symptoms but also psychosomatic complaints. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the visual analog scale (VAS), somatosensory amplification scale (SSAS), beck depression ınventory (BDI), and beck anxiety ınventory (BAI) with GON block treatment in patients with CM. This study was conducted retrospectively on 164 patients with CM between December 2018 and January 2023. Patients underwent six sessions of GON block treatment at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. VAS, SSAS, BAI, and BDI scores; number of attacks per month (NAM); attack pain duration (APD); and monthly use of analgesics (UA) were compared before the start and at week 8 of GON block treatment. The mean age of the subjects was 38 ± 9years. Statistical analysis revealed that VAS, SSAS, BAI, and BDI scores; NAM; APD; and monthly UA were statistically significantly lower following GON block treatment than before GON block treatment (p < 0.001 each). GON block treatment was effective for pain and somatic complaints (amplification of physical symptoms), anxiety, and depressive symptoms accompanying CM in patients with CM.

The Correlation of Pain, Psychological Aspects, and Sleep in Fibromyalgia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

This pilot study measures pain perception, somatosensory amplification and its relationship to health anxiety in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and patients with FM and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); this study also examines the effects of OSA on pain perception in patients with FM. In this pilot study, patients diagnosed with FM or FM and OSA, completed three self-reported questionnaires: Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), and Illness Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ). Sleep study results were analyzed. Scores were summarized using medians and interquartile ranges and are compared using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Overall FM (n = 25), female n=23 male n=3 mean age, 57.48 years. OSA n=17 (68%) and 8 (32%) were not. The SF-MPQ Sensory sub-scale scores and the SF-MPQ overall scores differed significantly between patients with and without OSA. The SF-MPQ Sensory sub-scale scores were significantly lower for patients with OSA (p=0.03), as were SF-MPQ overall scores (p=0.04). SSAS overall scores and IBQ overall scores did not differ significantly by OSA diagnosis. Correlations of the different dimensions of IBQ with SSAS and mean number of diagnoses in FM and FM+OSA, mean number of diagnoses in problem list of SSAS ≤30 was 29.5, mean number of diagnoses in SSAS ≥30 was 34.9. Developing a better understanding of the effects of OSA on pain perception in patients with FM is needed for improved health status. More research is needed to see if higher pain perception and SSAS score lead to increased health care utilization and to evaluate the relationship between untreated disordered sleeping and pain perception in patients with FM. Our findings highlight the need for more research to evaluate the relationship between treated and untreated disordered sleeping, pain perception, somatization and illness behavior in the health status of individuals with FM.

Associations between symptoms, modern health worries, and somatosensory amplification in patients with building-related symptoms

ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to investigate the associations between somatosensory amplification, modern health worries (MHWs), and symptoms among patients with building-related symptoms (BRS). MethodsPatients with self-reported and medically confirmed BRS (n = 83) were included in this cross-sectional study. The Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) was used to quantify the tendency to amplify somatic sensations and perceive them as unpleasant and dangerous. Concerns about harmful effects of modern technologies were assessed with the Modern Health Worries Scale (MHWS). Symptoms commonly found in different forms of environmental intolerance were assessed with the Environmental Hypersensitivity Symptom Inventory (EHSI). ResultsPatients with BRS were characterized by more frequent and more severe environmental hypersensitivity symptoms compared to a reference population. Females and those with co-morbid self-reported chemical intolerance reported even more symptoms. MHWS and SSAS scores showed weak to moderate associations with symptoms, even after adjusting for socio-economic variables. However, neither the mean MHWS score or the SSAS score of our sample differed from normative scores. ConclusionPatients with BRS are not characterized by elevated levels of MHWs and somatosensory amplification, thus other, psychosocial and/or environmental, factors may have contributed to the development of the condition. However, the associations between severity of symptoms and MHWs and somatosensory amplification suggest that psychosocial characteristics may substantially influence symptom experience in this group.

Psoriasis and Its Relationship With Somatosensory Amplification, Health Anxiety, and Depression.

Objective The present study investigates the relationship between psoriasis and diseases such ashealth anxiety, depression, and somatosensory amplification. Methods The participating patients (n=117, including 60 psoriasis patients and 57 controls) filled out the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), and Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) questionnaires. Results The mean scores from SSAS, HAI, and BDI were significantly higher in the psoriasis group than in the control group (p<0.05 in all comparisons). When the group medians of BAI were evaluated, the differences were not statistically significant, although BAI medians were higher in the patient group. Furthermore, a moderate correlation was found between the involvement of specific areas (especially the scalp and face) and SSAS scores. Conclusion Patients with psoriasis score highly in depression, health anxiety, and somatosensory amplification, and there was a moderate correlation between specific body area involvement (especially the scalp and face) and SSAS score. The results of this study seem to indicate thatpsychiatric assessment and treatment approaches should be included in the treatment of such chronic skin diseases as psoriasis that follow a life-long remission and relapse pattern.

The Somatosensory Perceptions of Individuals Living in Istanbul During The Covid-19 Pandemic Process

Aim: This study was planned to evaluate individuals’ somatosensory perceptions during the pandemic process. Subject and Method: The study used a descriptive and cross-sectional design and was carried out with the participation of 613 individuals who were aged between 18 and 65 and lived in Istanbul. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS). Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni correction were used for data analysis. Results: According to the findings, 69.3% of the participants were female, 53% had an undergraduate degree, and 12.4% had chronic diseases. The SSAS scores were statistically significantly higher in those who were female (Z=-6.028, p=0.000), had a chronic disease (Z=-2.760; p=0.006), were afraid that they/their family members would get infected with COVID-19 (Z=-4.220; p=0.000), had tested positive for COVID-19 (Z=-2.305; p=0.021), and had a relative who tested positive for COVID-19 (Z=-2.549; p=0.011) (p

Is female urge associated with incontinence, somatosensory amplification, health anxiety and depression?

Incontinence is a condition that can cause significant problems that can affect patients' quality of social, emotional, psychological and sexual life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of anxiety, health anxiety, depression and somatosensory amplification in patients with urge incontinence. The study group consisted of 58 patients that met the inclusion criteria. The control group consisted of 67 volunteer participants that did not have physical or psychiatric illness and incontinence complaints. All participants filled out sociodemographic data form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) and Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI). The mean duration of incontinence in patients with urge incontinence was 16.55 ± 10.03 months. The mean age in urge incontinence group and the control group were 40.98 ± 9.58 and 39.1 ± 7.89 years, respectively. The mean values of SSAS, HAI and BAI scores in the incontinence group were significantly higher than the control group (P < .001), but there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of BDI scores. The linear regression analysis indicated that HAI and BAI significantly affected SSAS (P = .025 and 0.019, respectively). Anxiety, health anxiety and somatosensory amplification are more common in patients who report urge incontinence. For these reasons, we believe that psychiatric evaluation should be included in the diagnosis and treatment process of patients presenting with urgency and incontinence symptoms.

A retrospective observational study comparing somatosensory amplification in fibromyalgia, chronic pain, psychiatric disorders and healthy subjects.

Somatosensory amplification (SA) has been described as an important feature of somatoform disorders, and an "amplifying somatic style" has been reported as a negative connotation of body perception. As widespread pain (WSP) in fibromyalgia (FM) is due to a central sensitization (CS) rather than organic alterations, there has been discussion as to whether FM is equivalent to or distinct from somatization disorder (SD). Assuming SD and FM are two distinct entities, an increase in somatic amplification should be expected only in subjects who have SD, regardless of the type of pain they experience. Purpose of the study was to explore the magnitude of SA in FM, and whether this depends on the association with SD. FM (n=159) other forms of chronic pain (OCP, n=582), psychiatric (Psy, n=53) and healthy (H, n=55) subjects were investigated using the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Illness Behavior Questionnaire, (IBQ), Italian Pain Questionnaire (IPQ), and Cold Pressor Test (CPT) in a retrospective observational study. FM subjects displayed higher SSAS scores than the other groups. High SSAS score was associated with FM (OR=8.39; 95%CI: 5.43-12.46) but not OCP. Although FM has the highest prevalence of SD (x2=14.07; p=.007), high SSAS scores were associated with SD in OCP but not in FM. Unlike in OCP, in FM high SSAS scores were independent of the presence of SD. From a biopsychosocial perspective, SSAS may be a factor associated with the onset of FM.

The Effect of Pre-Treatment Depression, Anxiety and Somatization Levels on Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Results of the lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection (L-TFESI) used in the treatment of lumbar radiculopathy may be affected by the current psychiatric condition of the patient. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the effects of pretreatment comorbid psychiatric conditions on patient outcomes in patients with lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy. Study Design: The study used a prospective-observational study design. Setting: Research was conducted at a university hospital international pain management center. Methods: In this observational study, 103 patients were included. All patients were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) for depression and anxiety levels and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) for somatization levels before the L-TFESI. The treatment results were evaluated with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline, the third week, and the third month. Relative to baseline, a 50% reduction in the NRS was accepted as a successful treatment. Results: HADS-depression, HADS-anxiety, and SSAS levels were similar between the patients with successful treatment outcome and the patients in whom treatment failed. However, there were negative correlations between percent reduction in the NRS and the HADS-depression levels at 3 weeks (r = -0.182, P = .022) and 3 months (r = -0.204, P = .037). Also, there were positive correlations between patients’ pre-injection ODI scores and both the HADS-anxiety (r = 0.271, P = .001) and SSAS (r = 0.201, P = .013) scores. Limitations: The study was limited by a relatively short-term follow-up period. Conclusions: Although psychiatric conditions affected the pain and disability of patients before and after the L-TFESI, and may have an impact on patient-related outcomes, they should not be a reason to not treat patients or expect a lower chance of success. Key words: Anxiety, depression, disc herniation, low-back pain, lumbar radiculopathy, patientrelated outcomes, somatization, transforaminal epidural steroid injection

Determination of Anxiety, Health Anxiety and Somatosensory Amplification Levels in Individuals with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Psychiatric comorbidities may intensify peripheral vertigo and increase the number of repositioning maneuvers required. This study was designed to examine the relationship between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and anxiety and assess its association with somatic amplification and health anxiety. Sixty patients with BPPV (43 women, 17 men; age range: 24-81 years, mean age 40.4±13.3), and 60 healthy participants (29 women, 31 men; age range: 18-71, mean age 38.2±11.43) were prospectively enrolled. The participants completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) questionnaires. The BAI scores of the patients with BPPV were higher than those of the control group participants and were as follows: (16.4 vs. 12.7; p=0.01). The SHAI (p=0.44) and SSAS (p=0.60) scores were not significantly different between the two groups. The BAI scores were positively correlated with the SHAI (rho: 0.273, p=0.035) and SSAS (rho: 0.357, p=0.005) scores. Neither the number of BPPV attacks nor the number of Epley maneuvers required showed any correlation with the BAI [(rho: 0.208, p=0.11); (rho: -0.007, p=0.96)], SHAI [(rho: 0.068, p=0.06); (rho: 0.021, p=0.87)], and SSAS [(rho: -0.081, p=0.53); (rho: -0.012, p=0.92)] scores. Our findings indicate that patients with BPPV had higher anxiety scores than healthy participants. Although our findings indicated normal health anxiety and somatic amplification levels in patients with BPPV, regular evaluation of psychological status would be a good strategy to prevent chronic dizziness.

Comparison of patients with migraine and tension-type headache in terms of somatosensory amplification and health anxiety.

Although it is known that anxiety and depressive disorders frequently accompany migraine and TTH, the role of somatic amplification (SSA) and health anxiety in these diseases is not adequately known. The aim of this study is to compare SSA and health anxiety in patients with migraine or TTH, and healthy controls and to investigate the relationships between SSA, health anxiety, headache characteristics, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Fifty-four migraine, 50 TTH patients from the outpatient unit of the neurology department and 53 healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. The somatosensory amplification scale (SSAS), health anxiety inventory, Beck depression (BDI) and anxiety inventory (BAI) were administered to all participants. The SSAS scores were significantly higher in migraineurs compared with the healthy controls. The health anxiety scores were significantly higher in both migraine and TTH groups. The BDI and BAI scores were also significantly higher in migraine and TTH groups compared with the controls. A significant positive correlation was found between headache frequency and BAI scores, the visual analogue scale scores and SSAS and BDI scores in migraineurs. The SSAS scores were also significantly correlated with the BDI and BAI scores in both of the headache groups. A similar correlation was determined with the health anxiety scores. While patients with migraine and TTH evalute, taking into account the SSA and health anxiety may contribute to the prognosis and treatment of these diseases.

Brain Functional Connectivity in Patients With Somatic Symptom Disorder.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether individuals with somatic symptom disorder (SSD) display increased resting-state functional connectivity (FC) within and between the sensorimotor network (SMN), default mode network (DMN), salience network, and dorsal attention network (DAN). Eighteen patients with SSD and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy control participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We used a seed-based correlation approach for the four brain networks. Patients with SSD had higher scores on the Somato-Sensory Amplification Scale (z = 5.22, p < .001) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised-Somatization (z = 4.94, p < .001) and greater FC within the SMN, DMN, and salience network than healthy control participants. Patients with SSD also had increased FC between the SMN and DMN, SMN and salience network, SMN and DAN, and salience network and DAN (t = 5.10-7.47, all false discovery rate q < .05). The Somato-Sensory Amplification Scale scores correlated with FC between the SMN and salience network and between the SMN and DAN (r = .61-.82, all p < .003). Based on the results of the FC analysis between the SMN and salience network, we suggest that SSD may be associated with alterations of sensory-discriminative processing of pain and other somatic symptoms, which is influenced by affective processing. Based on the results of the FC analysis of the SMN and DAN, we suggest that patients with SSD have a deficit in attention, leading to misperception of external stimuli and failure to regulate bodily functions aimed at interactions with external stimuli.

The relationship between somatic sense perception levels and comorbid psychiatric diseases in chronic pain patients.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate any comorbid psychiatric disorders in patients with chronic pain and to examine the effects of sociodemographic details and the level of somatic sense perception on the severity of these diseases. In this study, 51 chronic pain patients were evaluated in a consultation with a psychiatrist. Sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, such as age, gender, education level, and marital status were recorded, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV results were assessed. The patients' chronic pains were classified as idiopathic or secondary to organic etiology. In addition, the Symptom Checklist-90, Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) were used. The incidence of psychiatric disorders in chronic pain patients was found to be 74.5%. Somatoform disorders were the most frequently diagnosed, at 37.3%. The rate of depressive and anxiety disorders was, respectively, 29.4% and 23.5%. Comorbid anxiety scores (p=0.019) and SSAS scores (p=0.046) were significantly higher in chronic pain patients with a somatoform disorder. HAM-A scores were found to be significantly higher in patients with depression (p=0.004). A positive and linear relationship was determined between the SSAS score and depression, anxiety, and the severity of mental symptoms. Structured or semi-structured interviews can be performed in pain polyclinics or psychiatric outpatient clinics to determine the level of perception of somatic sensations. This could be beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain and comorbid psychiatric disorders.

Effects of preoperative anxiety on postcesarean delivery pain and analgesic consumption: general versus spinal anesthesia

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of preoperative anxiety on the postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in patients undergoing cesarean deliveries (CDs).Materials and methods: This observational cohort study included 160 women, with ages ranging from 18 to 40 years old and a 37-week minimum gestation, received general (Group 1, n = 80) or spinal (Group 2, n = 80) anesthesia during an elective CD. The State Anxiety Inventory (SAI), Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI), and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) were used to measure the prenatal anxiety. The postoperative pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the pain and analgesic requirements were recorded at the 1st, 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th postoperative hours.Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the demographics, clinical characteristics, or laboratory parameters. In addition, there were no differences with regard to the mean SAI, TAI, and SSAS scores and the diclofenac and pethidine consumptions (p > .05). The 1st hour [4.15 ± 1.84 versus 3.28 ± 2.41, odds ratio (OR) = 0.832, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.725–0.956, p = .009], 6th hour (3.85 ± 2.02 versus 3.13 ± 1.51, OR = 0.793, 95% CI = 0.668–0.942, p = .008), and 12th hour (3.64 ± 2.11 versus 2.94 ± 2.03, OR = 0.851, 95% CI = 0.737–0.983, p = .028) VAS scores were lower in Group 2 than in Group 1. No correlations were noted between the SAI, TAI, and SSAS scores and the VAS.Conclusions: While the patients with preoperative SAI scores >45 and who underwent cesarean deliveries (CDs) with general anesthesia had higher pain intensity scores in the first 12 hours than those underwent CDs with the spinal anesthesia, no difference was observed between the groups in terms of the postoperative analgesic requirements. Evaluating the patient’s anxiety state and psychiatric evaluation may be useful for decreasing the postoperative pain intensity. Further studies are needed to corroborate our findings.

Perception of Symmetry in Aesthetic Rhinoplasty Patients: Anthropometric, Demographic, and Psychological Analysis.

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Depression, anxiety, alexithymia and somatosensory sensitivity in patients with benign palpitation

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim of this study is to compare the frequency of depression, anxiety, alexithymia and somatosensory sensitivity in patients with benign palpitation with healthy controls.Method: Sixty-one patients with palpitation and 59 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled. All study subjects were undergone thorough cardiac evaluation, and patients with palpitation also had echocardiography and 24-hour ECG monitoring to rule out significant arrhythmias, coronary artery disease and structural heart disease. All subjects were assessed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Toronto Alexithymia scale, Whiteley Index (WI) and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SAS).Results: Patients with benign palpitation had significantly increased BAI, BDI, WI and SAS scores. Anxiety is the only independent predictor of benign palpitation (odds ratio = 1.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.05–1.19, p < 0.001).Conclusion: This study shows that patients with benign palpitation had ...

Effects of a wearable type lumbosacral support for low back pain among hospital workers: A randomized controlled trial.

To examine the effects of a new wearable type of lumbosacral support on low back pain. A total of 121 healthcare workers participated in this study. They were randomly allocated into the experimental and control groups and the former wore the support with signals of compression on the back by poor posture for the first 3 months. The control group remained on a waiting list for the first 3 months. Medical history, musculoskeletal symptoms, feeling in good posture, sleep habits, psychological distress, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) were evaluated. The range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder and hip joints as well as spinal alignment were evaluated. Our primary concern was the difference in the change of low back pain measured by visual analog scale (VAS) between the two groups. A total of 54 participants in the experimental and 53 participants in the control groups were analyzed. VAS and SSAS scores as well as lumbar spinal ROM in the experimental group significantly decreased. Low back pain (OR=0.401, 95% CI=0.168-0.954) and neck pain in the experimental group (OR=0.198, 95% CI=0.052-0.748) significantly decreased. The new lumbar support reduced VAS and SSAS scores, lumbar spinal ROM, low back pain, and neck pain. This new type of lumbar support reduced low back pain among healthcare workers.

Determination of health anxiety, anxiety, and somatosensory amplification levels in individuals with normal coronary angiography

The objective of the present study is to determine the somatosensory amplification, anxiety, and depression levels in patients with normal coronary arteries. Thirty-five patients with normal coronary arteries and 35 healthy individuals of similar age and gender as the patient group were included in the study. Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-18), Penn State Anxiety Scale (PSWQ), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were applied to all participants. Comparison of the patient group with the control group demonstrated that SSAS (22.7±8.2; 18.5±5.98; p=0.018), BAI (15.4±9.43; 9.4±7.3; p=0.004), BDI (24.9±13.5; 13.7±7.5; p<0.001), PSWQ (55.3±13.7; 33.8±6.7; p<0.001), and HAI-18 (18.8±8.7; 12.3±7.1; p=0.001) scores were statistically significantly higher in the patient group. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between SSAS, BAI, BDI, PSWQ, and HAI-18 scores. It was found that concerns about disease prevailed in patients having normal coronary arteries, the patients continued to amplify their somatic sensations, and their anxiety and depression scores were higher than those of healthy individuals. Thus, the necessity of these interventions should be assessed in detail in the future.

The Relationship between Physical Activity Intensity and Mental Health Status in Patients with Breast Cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between physical activity (PA) level and mental health status in a population-based sample of Korean female patients with breast cancer. Our analysis included 76 patients with breast cancer and 44 healthy controls. The Korean versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-KY (STAI-KY), and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), and Quality of Life (QOL) scale were assessed. The frequency of moderate PA level in breast cancer patients was significantly lower than that of healthy control subjects (t = −2.6; P = 0.011). In turn, the incidence of low PA level in breast cancer patients was significantly higher than that observed in healthy controls (t = 2.85; P = 0.005). A moderate PA level was inversely correlated with BDI score (r = −0.35; P = 0.008) and was positively correlated with QOL score (r = 0.38; P = 0.011). A low level of PA was inversely correlated with SSAS score (r = −0.39; P < 0.001). In healthy controls, a high level of PA was positively correlated with QOL score (r = 0.50; P = 0.043). Moderate PA level was inversely correlated with SSAS score (r = −0.59; P < 0.001). A low level of PA was also positively correlated with BDI score (r = 0.35; P = 0.008). A moderate or low intensity of PA was inversely correlated with depression and somatosensory amplification and was positively correlated with QOL in breast cancer patients. Finally, we suggest that progressively low-to-moderate levels of PA can be well adapted to positively impact several measures of mental health.

Alexithymia and somatisation in patients with remitted major depression and their impact on social functioning.

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study is to investigate the level of social functioning, alexithymia and somatisation in patients with major depressive disorder who achieved full remission and to examine the impact of alexithymia and somatisation on social functioning in patients with major depression who are in full remission.MethodsA total of 117 outpatients with major depression and full remission and 42 healthy controls were included in the study. The participants were administrated Affect Underpinned by Severity and Social Impairment Questionnaire (AUSSI) to evaluate social functioning and depressive symptoms, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) to evaluate alexithymia and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) to evaluate somatisation. Forty-one patients who scored higher or equal to the cut-off score of 5 on the social impairment subscale of AUSSI were classified as having impaired social functioning, whereas 76 patients who scored less than 5 were classified as having unimpaired social functioning.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the groups for AUSSI mood symptoms subscale score. Patients with impaired social functioning scored higher than controls on TAS score. Patients with both impaired and unimpaired social functioning scored higher than controls on SSAS scores. The only significant predictor of social impairment in patients with major depression who were in full remission was AUSSI mood symptoms subscale score.ConclusionPatients with major depression may still have social impairment after remission. Depressive symptoms are the most important predictors of social functioning in patients with remitted depression. Maximum precautions should be taken to treat depression without leaving any residual symptoms.