Psychiatric co-morbidity and attachment styles in obese adults: A comparative study with healthy volunteers

INTRODUCTION: Psychiatric co-morbidity and attachment issues are prevalent in obese patients. A possible relationship between insecure attachment styles and eating disorder risk has been proposed. The aim of this study is to determine the psychiatric co-morbidity, attachment styles and related risk factors in obese patients. METHODS: Obese patients with body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher and non-obese controls matched for age, sex and education were included with a total sample of 173 participants. Diagnostic assessment using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders and the Adult Attachment Scale, Hamilton Depression, and Hamilton Anxiety scales were carried out. Attachment styles were classified as anxious/ambivalent, avoidant and secure. The anxious/ambivalant and avoidant groups were combined and compared with the secure group. RESULTS: Fifty three (40.8%) obese patients had psychiatric disorders including major depression (n=44; 33.8%). Anxiety was found to be a risk factor with obesity and BMI in both patients with or without any psychiatric co-morbidity. Psychiatric co-morbidity was significantly higher in obese patients (40.8%) than controls (18.6%). 55.4% of the participants had insecure attachment styles, it was significantly higher in obese patients. Insecure attachment styles were higher with psychiatric co-morbidity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Psychiatric co-morbidity and insecure attachment styles were prevalent in obese patients, and the symptom of anxiety was found to be a predictor of obesity and body mass index. Psychiatric examinations including attachment styles and anxiety will help to advance better treatment strategies for obese patients

Mental health, suicidality and hopelessness among university students in Turkey

WOS: 000414827200044PubMed ID: 28697463Psychological symptoms of university students can affect perceptions of physical and mental health and can influence the emergence of suicidal behavior. We investigated the association among psychological symptoms, suicidal thoughts, perceptions of physical and mental health in university students. 4330 students at Onsekiz Mart University completed an internet-based questionnaire. 15.1% of the students reported suicidal thoughts at least once in their lifetime. The severity of mental symptoms was found to increase with a decrease in perceived physical and mental health. 28.2% of the students had depression, 33.1% had anxiety. This research aims to contribute to the extensive body of work done regarding the mental health, suicidal thoughts and hopelessness among university students

Short-term Effects of Problem-based Learning Curriculum on Students’ Self-directed Skills Development

Aim: To investigate short-term effects of problem-based learning on students’ scientific thinking, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills. Methods: The study was conducted in two medical schools, Ondokuz Mayıs University in Samsun and Trakya University in Edirne, Turkey. The two schools used different instructional approaches in educational methods: Ondokuz Mayıs University followed a problem-based learning curriculum and Trakya University a traditional didactic curriculum. Three groups of students were included as follows: (a) 83 first-year from Ondokuz Mayıs University, who passed an English language proficiency exam; (b) 146 students who failed English language proficiency exam and had to spend a year attending preparatory English language classes before starting their first year at Ondokuz Mayıs University (first control group); and (c) 124 students first-year students from Trakya University (second control group). All participants completed the Problem Solving Inventory, Scientific Thinking Skills Questionnaire, and Conflict Resolution Scale at the beginning of the 2003/2004 academic year. The tests were re-administered to same students at the end of the academic year, ie, 10 months later. Results: Analysis of covariance revealed no differences in pre-test scores among the problem-based learning, first, and second control groups in their scientific thinking (9.0±71.2, 8.9±3.2, and 8.7±1.3, respectively; P=0.124), problem solving (132.2±15.4, 131.2±16.2, and 132.1±17.4, respectively; P=0.454), and conflict resolution skills (112.3±14.6, 109.7±12.8, and 110.2±11.4, respectively; P=0.07). The study group in comparison with first and second control group had significantly better post-test results in scientific thinking (13.9±3.5, 9.5±2.2, and 9.1±2.7, respectively), problem solving (125.5±12.6, 130.1±11.2, and 131.1±15.4, respectively), and conflict resolution skills (125.4±12.7, 110.9±23.7, and 111.6±23.6, respectively) (P<0.001 for all). The skills of the two control groups did not improve in this time period and their post-test scores were not significantly different. Conclusion: Problem-based learning curricula may positively affect some of the self-directed skills, such as scientific thinking, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills of students, even in a short period of time

Prevalence of skin disorders in primary and secondary school age children in Canakkale, Turkey: a community-based survey

Introduction: Skin lesions may be of dermatological importance, affect appearance, and cause problems communicating with peers and may be especially more significant in childhood. Aim :Information on the prevalence of pediatric dermatoses in Western Turkey. This study was aimed to define the existing data. Material and methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted in Canakkale, Turkey, in September-December 2013. It involved 1,957 students from five randomly selected primary and secondary schools. Each student was interviewed for age, gender, and family history, and a dermatologic examination was performed by a dermatologist. Data were coded and analyzed. Results :Of the students, 79.9% revealed at least one dermatosis. The most common disease was benign neoplasms (76%), followed by pigmentary disorders (26.8%), and xerosis (5.8%). In primary schools, the acquired melanocytic nevus, hypopigmented macule, and xerosis; in secondary school the acne was statistically significantly more common. Acne and xerosis was more common in girls, and pityriasis alba was statistically more common in boys. Students who had at least one dermatosis were positively correlated with monthly income. Conclusions :In Turkish school age children, the prevalence of dermatosis is 79.9%. It may be due to not using preventive means for adequate protection from the sun and other environmental factors. Infectious dermatosis and atopic dermatitis are rare and it may depend on the adequacy of public health work

The Spectrum Of Diseases Causing Fever Of Unknown Origin In Turkey: A Multicenter Study

Objective: The purpose of this trial was to determine the spectrum of diseases with fever of unknown origin (FUO) in Turkey. Methods: A prospective multicenter study of 154 patients with FUO in twelve Turkish tertiarycare hospitals was conducted. Results: The mean age of the patients was 42 +/- 17 years (range 17-75). Fifty-three (34.4%) had infectious diseases (ID), 47 (30.5%) had non-infectious inflammatory diseases (NIID), 22 (14.3%) had malignant diseases (MD), and eight (5.2%) had miscellaneous diseases (Mi). In 24 (15.6%) of the cases, the reason for high fever could not be determined despite intensive efforts. The most common ID etiologies were tuberculosis (13.6%) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (3.2%). Adult Still's disease was the most common NIID (13.6%) and hematological malignancy was the most common MD (7.8%). In patients with NIID, the mean duration of reaching a definite diagnosis (37 +/- 23 days) was significantly longer compared to the patients with ID (25 +/- 12 days) (p = 0.007). In patients with MD, the mean duration of fever (51 +/- 35 days) was longer compared to patients with ID (37 +/- 38 days) (p = 0.052). Conclusions: Although infection remains the most common cause of FUO, with the highest percentage for tuberculosis, non-infectious etiologies seem to have increased when compared with previous studies. (C) 2007 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.WoSScopu