BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined obesity as a chronic condition characterized by excessive body weight due to accumulation of adipose tissue sufficient to affect negatively the state of health.
Numerous literature data show high rates of comorbidity between obesity and psychiatric disorders particulary mood disorders and eating disorders.
There is increasing evidence of elevated inflammatory markers in obesity and alterations in the inflammatory system have been associated with psychiatric disorders. Most previous studies examined small samples with schizofrenya or depression, and the literature is inconsistent with regard to understanding the underlying mechanisms of the association between obesity, psychiatric disorders and the infiammatory profile. The aim of the study was to make a comparison of citokine plasma levels and plasmatic fasting glycemia and induced hyperglycemia curve between patients with or without Axis I/II and subtreschold disorders.
METHODS: 110 women candidates to bariatric surgey were consecutively recruited. The diagnostic assessment was conducted using the SCID-I for DSM-IV diagnoses and the SCID II for personality disorders , by psychiatrists trained and certified to the use of the interviews. Plasma levels of fasting glycemia and induced hyperglycemia, IL-6, PAI-1, TNF-alpha, GH were misuread.
RESULTS: Our finding supports the hypothesis for a complex integration of endocrine and metabolic factors (glucose, IL-6, PAI-1, TNF-alpha, GH) and psychiatric symptoms in the development both obesity and psychiatric disorders.
However, forasmuch as the study is an observational study, further evaluations should be made by comparing our sample with healthy controls and evaluating plasma hormones after stimulation test
