Bruno Palazzo Nazar

Review of literature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with comorbid eating disorders

OBJECTIVE According to studies of prevalence, up to 70% of adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder have at least one psychiatric comorbidity, which leads to diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties as well as more severe functional impairment. There is a paucity of data on the comorbidity of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders. The objective of this study was to review the literature regarding the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder/eating disorders comorbidity, performing a critical analysis of relevant data. METHOD Articles in Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, ISI and PsycINFO databases from 1980 up to 2008, were searched. The references from the articles were used as additional sources of data. RESULTS Fourteen articles were found: five prevalence studies, four case reports, three case-control studies, one symptom-assessment study of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders, and one article regarding possible causes of the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders. These articles suggested that adult women with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder are at higher risk of developing eating disorders, especially bulimia nervosa. Bulimia Nervosa rates found in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder groups ranged from 1% to 12%, versus 0% to 2% in control groups. CONCLUSIONS Although there seems to be a relationship between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders, the reduced number of studies available, with various methodologies, and small sample sizes limit the generalization of the findings.

Influence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on binge eating behaviors and psychiatric comorbidity profile of obese women

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have reported higher prevalence rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) both in eating disorders (ED) and in obese patients. We compared the psychiatric comorbidity profile of obese ADHD women with non-ADHD obese women and how ADHD symptoms impact in binge eating behaviors. DESIGN Cross-sectional study of a clinical sample. SUBJECTS 171 adult women were evaluated at a specialized clinic in obesity and ED. MEASUREMENTS Participants complete a semi-structured interview and psychopathology rating scales. A hierarchical regression model was employed to predict binge eating behavior. RESULTS Obese ADHD patients had a larger number of psychiatric comorbidities (p<0.001), especially Substance Abuse Disorders, and higher scores on psychopathology rating scales (p<0.05). The highest prediction for binge eating in the regression model was the presence of depressive symptoms, followed by ADHD inattention symptoms and trait-impulsivity. CONCLUSION ADHD should be routinely evaluated in obese since it is related with more severe psychopathology. Depressive symptoms can predict the presence of binge eating in obese patients.

A sociodemographic, phenomenological, and long-term follow-up study of patients with body dysmorphic disorder in Brazil.

Objective: The main characteristic of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance in a normal-appearing person or an excessive preoccupation with appearance in a person with a small physical defect. In this non-controlled study, our objective was to describe the socio-demographic, phenomenological, and long-term outcome features of a Brazilian sample of patients with BDD. Methods: We performed a chart-review of the 166 patients who attended the Obsessions, Compulsions, and Impulsions Subprogram of the Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the period between 1998 and 2005. Results: Twenty patients (12%) had clinically significant BDD. This sample was characterized by a predominance of female (n = 11; 55%), single or divorced (n = 18; 90%), and economically unproductive patients (n = 17; 85%). We found an average of 2.5 current imagined defects per patient. The most frequently reported body parts of excessive concern were the overall appearance, size or shape of the face (n = 7; 35%), the skin (n = 6; 30%), the hair (n = 6; 30%), the nose (n = 5; 25%), and the body build and weight (n = 5; 25%). Most individuals exhibited a chronic condition (n = 13; 65%) and kept the same concerns during the course of the disorder (n = 12; 60%). All patients displayed compulsive behaviors, including recurrent mirror checking (n = 14; 70%), camouflaging (n = 13; 65%), reassurance seeking by means of repetitive questioning of others (n = 9; 45%), and excessive use of cosmetics (n = 7; 35%). Two patients reported “do-it-yourself surgeries. Seven patients had current suicidal ideation (35%). Six patients (30%) showed no insight over their dysmorphic beliefs. Fifteen patients (95%) exhibited psychiatric comorbidities, mostly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (n = 14, 70%) and major depressive disorder (n = 11; 55%). The majority of patients were treated naturalistically with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (n = 15; 75%), either solo or in association with antipsychotics (n = 10; 50%). Nevertheless, only 5 (25%) responded favorably to treatment during the long-term follow-up (CGI < 2). Conclusions: BDD is a severe disorder that is frequently associated with other psychiatric conditions and responds poorly to treatment in the naturalistic setting. No significant trans-cultural variations were identified in the comparison between Brazilian, North American, and European samples.

ADHD Rate in Obese Women With Binge Eating and Bulimic Behaviors From a Weight-Loss Clinic.

Objective: Few studies have demonstrated a possible association between ADHD and obesity in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ADHD in a sample of obese women seeking treatment, and its relations with binge eating and bulimic behaviors. Method: We performed a cross-sectional study in a clinical sample of one hundred fifty-five women, with a mean age of 38.9 (+10.7) years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 39.2 (+5.29). Participants were evaluated with semistructured interviews and completed self-report psychiatric rating scales. Results: The rate of ADHD in the sample was of 28.3%. The presence of ADHD was significantly correlated with more severe binge eating, bulimic behaviors, and depressive symptomatology. Conclusion: Similar to previous studies, a higher than expected rate of ADHD was observed among obese women. ADHD in obese individuals may be a risk factor for greater severity of disordered eating patterns.

Early Response to treatment in Eating Disorders: A Systematic Review and a Diagnostic Test Accuracy Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE Early response to eating disorders treatment is thought to predict a later favourable outcome. A systematic review of the literature and meta-analyses examined the robustness of this concept. METHOD The criteria used across studies to define early response were summarised following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Diagnostic Test Accuracy methodology was used to estimate the size of the effect. RESULTS Findings from 24 studies were synthesized and data from 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. In Anorexia Nervosa, the odds ratio of early response predicting remission was 4.85(95%CI: 2.94-8.01) and the summary Area Under the Curve (AUC) = .77. In Bulimia Nervosa, the odds ratio was 2.75(95%CI:1.24-6.09) and AUC = .67. For Binge Eating Disorder, the odds ratio was 5.01(95%CI: 3.38-7.42) and AUC = .71. CONCLUSION Early behaviour change accurately predicts later symptom remission for Anorexia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder but there is less predictive accuracy for Bulimia Nervosa. Copyright

Interventions for the Carers of Patients With Eating Disorders

The aim of this study is to evaluate the recent literature on carers/parenting interventions for people with eating disorders. Interesting and important new findings are highlighted as well as the implications that this may have for treatment. We have reviewed and critically analysed the recent literature. Close others often play an important role in recognising the early signs of eating disorders and accessing and implementing treatment. Their role in helping with recovery is to give support and hold a united front themselves and with the professional team to avoid those common interpersonal reactions that adversely impact on outcome such as accommodating to the illness and reacting with high expressed emotion (overprotection and hostility). Managing this role is difficult, and coping resources are often strained. Carers ask for and are now getting expert training in skills to manage this role. There is an overlap between carer/parenting interventions and family therapies. The interface with close others is critical both for early recognition and access and implementation of treatment. Interventions which equip families and close others with the skills to manage eating disorder behaviours are showing potential at improving outcomes.

Treatment of juvenile parkinson disease and the recurrent emergence of pathologic gambling

ObjectiveTo describe the recurrent emergence of pathologic gambling (PG) during the sequential treatment of a patient with Juvenile Parkinson disease (PD) with different dopamine agonists. MethodSingle case report. ResultsA patient with Juvenile PD developed PG soon after beginning treatment with pergolide, a mixed D1/D2 dopamine agonist that is also supposed to exhibit D3 activity. This behavior remitted upon the discontinuation of the drug. A subsequent therapeutic trial with pramipexole, a dopamine agonist with preferential D3 dopamine receptor activity, resulted in the recurrence of PG. Remarkably, previous treatment with levodopa was not associated with this side effect. ConclusionsThese findings seem to confirm previous suggestions that dopaminergic hyperactivity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PG. They further indicate that patients with PD may develop PG as a side effect of more than one dopamine agonist. There is still no consensus regarding the best strategy to deal with this potentially disturbing phenomenon.

Validade de constructo e confiabilidade da versão em língua portuguesa do Questionário de Qualidade de Vida em Adultos que apresentam TDAH (AAQoL)

INTRODUCAO: Diversos estudos demonstram que o transtorno de deficit de atencao/hiperatividade (TDAH) em adultos esta relacionado a piores medicoes de qualidade de vida. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a validade e confiabilidade de constructo da versao em lingua portuguesa do questionario de qualidade de vida em adultos com TDAH (AAQoL). METODOS:Foram incluidos neste estudo adultos com idade entre 18 e 60 anos. Eles foram divididos em tres grupos de acordo com o diagnostico: a) individuos com TDAH com base nos criterios do DSM-IV; b) individuos abaixo do limite de TDAH; c) grupo controle de comparacao que nao apresenta TDAH. Foram aplicados os seguintes questionarios: ASRS, SF-36 e AAQoL. A primeira parte do estudo avaliou a validacao de constructo do instrumento e a segunda parte testou sua confiabilidade. RESULTADOS: Os grupos TDAH, TDAH abaixo do limite e controle abrangeram 29, 18 e 29 individuos, respectivamente. Considerando todos os tres grupos, encontramos uma correlacao negativa entre o numero de sintomas (ASRS) e a pontuacao total do AAQoL. O grupo TDAH apresentou os piores niveis de qualidade de vida quando comparado com o grupo controle. No geral, as pontuacoes do AAQoL tiveram correlacao significativa com as da SF-36. Os resultados indicaram altos niveis de coerencia interna e confiabilidade dos testes e retestes. CONCLUSAO: O constructo do AAQoL apresentou altos niveis de coerencia interna dos itens, estabilidade e validade de constructo.

High-frequency rTMS to treat refractory binge eating disorder and comorbid depression: a case report.

Binge eating disorder (BED) has limited therapeutic options. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a modulation technique of cortical excitability that has shown good results in treating certain psychiatric disorders by correcting dysfunctional cortical regions. We hypothesize that rTMS could be an alternative therapy for BED through potential modulation action on frontostriatal abnormalities and dopaminergic pathways noted by neuroimaging. We report the case of a young woman presenting refractory BED and comorbid depression treated with 20 sessions of rTMS for 30 minutes over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 10 Hz for about a month (2400 stimuli per day). She answered two self-report questionnaires, the Binge Eating Scale (BES) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Before rTMS treatment, the BES score was 38, and the BDI score was 42. Three days after rTMS treatment, the BES score was 27 and the BDI score was 23, and the patient referred to no binge eating episodes for that week. Therefore, rTMS could offer a new option of treatment for BED and comorbid depression.

Pathological gambling treated with lithium: The role of assessing temperament

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Pathological gambling is a condition for which there is still no FDA-approved treatment although some medications seem to be effective at reducing its symptoms. In DSM-V, it is now classified as an addiction disorder. Data show that baseline comorbidities in patients with gambling and substance misuse behavior are frequent. These might include not only major syndromes but also subclinical ones. Bipolar spectrum conditions are often among these comorbidities. Lithium has been showed to be effective in PG subjects with bipolar spectrum comorbidity, and we present a case where assessment of temperament was helpful in treatment selection. CONCLUSIONS This case illustrates the clinical benefits of how the assessment of temperament and comorbidities in pathological gambling patients may guide the clinician to a successful treatment choice. The case presented also corroborates previous evidence on the efficacy of lithium in patients with pathological gambling and comorbid bipolar spectrum conditions and euphoric temperament. Future clinical trials on pathological gambling pharmacotherapy should include temperament assessment to evaluate its influence on different outcomes.