Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is related to psychological distress and interference in daily activities; however, CPP is not as extensively researched as other forms of chronic pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among pain, psychological distress, and functional impairment in patients with CPP. There were chart reviews conducted of 107 female patients who completed a psychiatric evaluation at a specialty, CPP clinic as a part of a multidisciplinary evaluation. Results suggest that psychological distress and impairment in daily activities are common in CPP patients. Most areas of functional impairment were not associated with pain variables. Rather, several forms of functional impairment were related to higher levels of depression and anxiety. Results from this study suggest the possibility that psychiatric symptoms are contributing to functional impairment in this population. These findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the evaluation and treatment of CPP patients to help decrease functional impairment in these patients.
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have evolved into long-term use as destination therapy for those with severe end-stage heart failure due to other medical risks. Success with LVAD depends on adherence to a complicated mechanical regimen, and acceptance of a life that is far from normal. Patients with LVADs share characteristics with other end-stage cardiac failure patients and those waiting for or receiving heart transplants. Understanding the more thoroughly studied issues of psychiatric disorders, adherence, and behavioral correlates of success in heart failure and transplantation may identify feasible strategies for optimizing care of LVAD patients and suggest directions for future research. Depression and distress complicate post-transplant care. Psychiatric morbidity is associated with poor outcomes, including graft rejection, non-adherence, hospitalizations, infection, and death. With a high risk of embolic neurological events, patients' ability for self-care may be compromised. Psychiatric symptoms are underdiagnosed and undertreated, which may impact overall survival and quality of life.
Problematic eating behaviors, such as emotional eating, and food addiction, may affect weight; however, little is known about these eating behaviors, especially among those seeking bariatric surgery. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of problematic eating behaviors and to investigate their relationship with other eating behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and psychiatric symptoms. There were 142 patients who completed a required psychiatric evaluation prior to bariatric surgery. Of these, 16.9 % met criteria for a food addiction and 25.4-40.7 % endorsed emotional eating, depending on type of emotional eating. The number of food addiction symptoms endorsed was related to emotional eating. Both food addiction and emotional eating were related to anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, surprisingly, BMI was not related to a food addiction diagnosis, emotional eating scores, or psychiatric symptoms. Results from this study suggest that problematic eating behaviors are occurring among bariatric surgery candidates. Furthermore, this study may help to address the conflicting research regarding the effects of psychiatric symptoms on weight-loss outcomes. Perhaps it is the problematic eating behaviors (e.g., food addiction and emotional eating) that are associated with psychiatric symptoms that could be influencing outcomes. Future research should evaluate treatments for problematic eating behaviors and whether treatments improve weight-loss success.
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